Photo: Audi
Audi of America has always had a difficult game of catching up to do with its German counterpart. Often, the most interesting new models arrive later or don't come at all. Slowly but surely though, things are changing for the better and it seems the compact segment is a good place for this.
Europe serves up an almost innumerable variety of A3 models, ranging from ones with small diesel engines to not one but four body styles for the S3 sports hatch, delivering 300 horsepower though quattro all wheel drive.
The new S3 has become available in America, but only thanks to its sedan configuration, which has never existed before 2013. What's more, you can't get it with a manual. Speaking at the 30th anniversary of Audi Club of North America this week, Audi of America president Scott Keogh said the company is seriously looking into a stick version its customers.
The only thing actually holding them back are costs associated with the selling process and dealer availability. A manual S3 Sedan is actually in production right now with the Hungarian factory that makes all A3 models, including the ones sold in the US. Besides being more engaging, the manual S3 has one other huge advantage: it's cheaper by €1,900 (in Germany). That means you save $2,500, but you lose launch control and are slower to 60 mph by 0.4 seconds.
According to Fourtitude, Audi of America is also looking into the more powerful RS3, which would apparently only make sense as a sedan, battling it out with the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45.
Such a car doesn't actually exist yet, even though the A3 clubsport concept can be considered a preview. Audi has only started the development of the RS3 hatchback and the TT-RS, so even if approved, the super-sedan would take until about 2016 to enter production.
Why do we need another Audi model? Because the RS3 would pack a powerful 2.5-liter TFSI, a five-cylinder turbo with rally breeding and a 360-something horsepower temperament.
When asked about his favorite forbidden fruit, Keogh was honest and direct: the RS6. Unfortunately, even though the company president loves it, this uber-wagon will not make the trip across the pond any time soon.
The new S3 has become available in America, but only thanks to its sedan configuration, which has never existed before 2013. What's more, you can't get it with a manual. Speaking at the 30th anniversary of Audi Club of North America this week, Audi of America president Scott Keogh said the company is seriously looking into a stick version its customers.
The only thing actually holding them back are costs associated with the selling process and dealer availability. A manual S3 Sedan is actually in production right now with the Hungarian factory that makes all A3 models, including the ones sold in the US. Besides being more engaging, the manual S3 has one other huge advantage: it's cheaper by €1,900 (in Germany). That means you save $2,500, but you lose launch control and are slower to 60 mph by 0.4 seconds.
According to Fourtitude, Audi of America is also looking into the more powerful RS3, which would apparently only make sense as a sedan, battling it out with the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45.
Such a car doesn't actually exist yet, even though the A3 clubsport concept can be considered a preview. Audi has only started the development of the RS3 hatchback and the TT-RS, so even if approved, the super-sedan would take until about 2016 to enter production.
Why do we need another Audi model? Because the RS3 would pack a powerful 2.5-liter TFSI, a five-cylinder turbo with rally breeding and a 360-something horsepower temperament.
When asked about his favorite forbidden fruit, Keogh was honest and direct: the RS6. Unfortunately, even though the company president loves it, this uber-wagon will not make the trip across the pond any time soon.
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