It's unfortunate that the sun went down on the beloved performance wagons and hatchbacks and rose with the SUV and Crossover at the helm. Thanks to that swift change of preference, power-house rocket bunnies like the RS3 will soon die a slow death. But with a couple of years to spare before everything turns from a rumble to a whirr, we'll marvel at the last ounce of ICE magnificence like our lives depended on it.
Auditography did a solid and showcased this rare 2023 Audi RS3 Sportback in the Swedish countryside. It's not anything you'll get walking into your local Audi dealership. Only 300 of these spec’d versions are available for grabs, and they are clad in a gorgeous classic Audi Nogaro blue shade.
If you thought ABT's 2023 200-only Audi RS3-R was a doll, you'd be spoilt for choice once you feast your eyes on this 1-of-300 2023 Audi RS3 Sportback performance Nogaro Edition.
Under the hood, this gracious beast packs a turbocharged 2.5-liter 5-cylinder TFSI engine good for a maximum power of 401 hp (407 ps) at 5,700 to 7,000 RPM and 360 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque. To harness all the power, it runs on a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The 2023 Audi RS3 Sportback performance Nogaro Edition will bolt from 0 to 62 mph (100 kph) in a tested 3.41 seconds, with the official figures from the German marque at 3.8 seconds. Hold your foot at the gas pedal and discover the top speed pegged at an impressive 186 mph (300 kph).
This version of the 2023 Audi RS3 weighs 1,574 kilograms (3,472 pounds). According to the German automaker the RS3 Performance Sportback consumes 8.9-17.2 liters per 100 kilometers (14 – 26 miles per gallon).
Lucky owners will get standard Audi RS-branded sport bucket seats on the interior, complemented with leather finishes and blue stitching.
On the exterior, this Audi RS3 Sportback Performance Edition is dressed in an iconic Audi-exclusive Nogaro blue shade that perfectly contrasts with carbon aero bits and lightweight 19-inch wheels exclusively designed for the RS3 Performance.
Other shades available include Arrow Gray, Daytona Gray, Sebring Black, and Glacier White.
You won't fail to notice the massive front grille upfront and air ducts below, perfect for sucking in cool air for maximum raw unwavering grunt this Audi product is notorious for. For tail-end acoustics, it has an Audi Sport Exhaust.
This Sportback edition has capable suspension bits with an adaptive chassis and torque rear mode. Audi furnished this 300 spec’d model with ceramic brakes for instant stopping power.
As you'd expect, the 2023 Audi RS3 Sportback Performance Nogaro Edition doesn't come cheap, starting at €75,000 ($81,911) for the Sportback and €77,000 ($84,096) for the sedan (in Europe).
This version of the RS3 Performance is quite the stunner. Curious how it rips through the beautiful southern roads of Sweden? We recommend catching that action in the video below.
Humphrey is a car enthusiast whose love and passion for automobiles extended into collecting, writing, driving, and working on cars. He got his passion for cars from his Dad, who spent thousands of hours working on his old junky 1970 E20 Toyota Corolla. Years later, he would end up doing the same with a series of lemons he’s owned throughout his adult life. Full profile
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