The New Compact and Zippy Audi RS3
Ever wondered who could do the best job in producing a small, yet powerful sedan sports car? You guessed it, and it is none other than Audi. To add some extra zing to the car, they took it to Oman for testing. We bring you a full download on the recent testing of the new Audi RS3 which took place at various locations in Oman.
General Overview
This new compact but a fast car from Audi targets high sales and by introducing the four-door model, expects a good response from hatchback-opposing markets like China and the United States. The Audi RS3 also comes at a reasonable cost – in the neighborhood of $60,000 which is rather affordable in this particular class of cars. Let’s take a closer look at some of the finer features of the car.
Speed and Performance
Powered by a 2.5 liter turbocharged 400 horsepower engine with 354 pound-feet of torque, the Audi RS3 packs a punch at 0 to 100 kph in just 4.1 seconds. However, the top speed of the car is just 155 miles per hour, which may not satisfy the itch of some speed freaks.
The overall transmission is nice and ‘grippy,’ thanks to the all-wheel drive, and wheels fitted with optional staggered tires – 255-width in the front and 235-width at the rear. The result you can slide the car at will, which is also useful while negotiating sharp mountain curves as was the case during the test drive in Oman in the mountainous areas.
More about the Engine
The newly-designed 400 horsepower aluminum block that comprises the engine is lighter than the previous RS3 by 57 pounds. The engine also has an aluminum oil pump and a magnesium oil pan, which all helps in reducing the overall weight. The original 1-2-4-5-3 firing order imparts a classic sound signature.
Classic Cockpit
A massive 12.3-inch digital display is an information center with loads of extra features like navigation and multimedia. The Bang & Olufsen sound system delivers a respectable 705-watts through its 14-speaker system. The infotainment system is motorized and designed to slide out when required, and you can hide it when not needed, by just touching a button.
Other details of the display give you Lane Assist, which helps you to pull back into a lane. Audi would not be Audi without cruise control; they have also provided additional buttons for stop and go. The Audi pre-sense warning system and high-beam assist are also nice additions.
The Final Analysis
Apart from the track, this car can be used on regular roads on a day-to-day basis thanks to the roomy interior and abundant rear seats. The optional dual-mode exhaust makes the car more acceptable while driving in a quiet locality or while with more conservative relatives and friends. During the test drive in Oman made it became obvious that the car doesn’t break the sound barrier in speed, but it’s fun. All in all, in the RS3, Audi has produced a versatile, efficient but fun car, to suit a wide variety of tastes and at a relatively reasonable cost as well.
Also Read: Audi RS3 Coming To USA: It’s A Done Deal
