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2015 Audi RS3 Won't Get More Powerful Plus Model Due to Turbo Limitations

The all-new RS3 Sportback is about to go on sale with its mighty 367 PS 2.5-liter turbo engine. Those worried that their €50,000 investment will be outclassed by an even more hardcore version should rest assured though. The boss of quattro division says that isn't going to happen.
2015 Audi RS3 1 photo
Photo: S. Baldauf / R. Kah
Speaking to Top Gear at the European launch event of the car, quattro GmbH technical development chief Stefan Reil said the 2.5 TFSI has reached its full potential in the RS3.

"We are at the limit of the size of the turbocharger. We have durability limits and our warranties to consider," Reil said.

Durability? A simple thing like that didn't stop Mercedes from pushing its smaller 2-liter turbo to 360 PS, soon to be 380 PS.

A simple report with many connections

Reil's works will echo in my head for many days. What he says has significance for a number of reasons. For starters, Mercedes will launch a 380 PS version of the A45 AMG in June or July. But Audi will never contest it, despite having a larger engine.

367 PS and 465 Nm (342 lb-ft) of torque are actually enough power for the RS3. The delivery and the quattro all-wheel drive are better than in the A45, so AMG doesn't have the upper hand.

But the 2.5-liter turbo was supposed to have other application, including a basic R8 model. It sounds like that idea has been scrapped.

Somehow, this is good news for the people who are going to buy the RS3 soon. Not only will their resale values be better, but they can rest assured known there will never be a production version of the 525 PS A3 Clubsport quattro concept.

"We could put in a bigger turbo [to match the A45 AMG]," Stefan speculates, "but that would require a lot of engineering."

That pretty much says it all. Next stop: hybrid RS models or electric turbos!
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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