Could out gun the Mercedes CLA 45 AMG

Some potential new information has emerged about the Audi RS3.

According to a couple of different sources, the model will be available as a five-door Sportback that features a turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine with 367 HP (270 kW). It will reportedly be connected to a S tronic transmission and a quattro all-wheel drive system.

There's no word on performance figures but the car could be offered with an optional dynamic package. It remains unclear what this package would contain but the name suggests it could improve the car's handling or styling.
If everything pans out, the model will go up for pre-order in April 2015 and the first deliveries will occur in July 2015.

According to the automakers, entry-level luxury is the hot new segment, and the all-new A3 sedan is Audi's entry. Audi says the A3 will offer German presence and German road manners, but with a very un-German price: $30,795, including destination charge, about what you'd pay for a nicely-equipped Honda Accord. With a price that cheap, we were eager to find out of the A3 is a real Audi or just a watered-down wannabe.

FAST FACTS

• Engine: 1.8L with 170 hp & 200 lb-ft of torque. 2.0T offers 220 hp & 258 lb-ft of torque.
• Transmission: Six-speed dual clutch automotic.
• Fuel economy: 23 MPG city, 33 MPG highway for 1.8L or 24/33 for 2.0T.
• Price: Starts at $30,795 and tops out at $45,445.
• Driving Dynamics That Deserve the Audi Badge

We've come to love Audis for the way they go down the road and our first priority was to see if the A3 drives like a proper Audi -- and man oh man, does it ever. We spent the bulk of our time in the 2.0T model, which features Audi's two-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine and Quattro all-wheel-drive. The 220 horsepower rating is deceptive; it's the 258 lb-ft of torque, delivered flat from 1,600 RPM to 4,400 RPM, that gives the A3 its scoot -- 0-60 in 5.8 seconds according to Audi, which feels about right to us. Sadly, there's no stick-shift available, but the A3 comes with the next best thing: the six-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch automatic, which does its usual fine job of serving up the right gears for both relaxed and aggressive driving. Unfortunately, A3s without the Sport Package lack paddle shifters, so overriding the tranny means taking your hands off the steering wheel.



And that's something you won't want to do, because the A3 is brilliant in the corners. The steering feels responsive and light (at least by hunkered-down German standards), body control is outstanding, and the tires seem tuned to run out of grip just a split-second before the driver runs out of nerve, transitioning to gentle understeer. We managed to confuse the center diff a couple of times, with the car bucking briefly and rapidly as power was shifted between front and rear axles, but for the most part the A3 is simply wonderful -- so wonderful, in fact, that we wonder how the heck Audi is going to ramp up the experience for the upcoming 290 horsepower S3.

We also briefly sampled the less-expensive 1.8-liter version, which shares its 170 hp/200 lb-ft turbo engine with Volkswagen and comes exclusively with front-wheel-drive. It offers the same basic driving experience as the 2.0T, but dialed back a bit. The A3 1.8T is about a second and a half slower to sixty and somewhat less dynamic in the corners, but still plenty powerful and big fun to drive. Curiously, the front-drive 1.8T is slightly thirstier than the 2.0T: EPA estimates are 23 city/33 highway for the smaller engine versus 24/33 for the bigger one, with both cars requiring a diet of premium fuel. Future engine offerings will include a diesel and a plug-in hybrid.

Clean, Conservative Style

Our drive-lust satiated, it was time to take in the rest of the Audi A3. We started with the shape of the body, which looks to us a lot like a downsized A4. Audi's designers stressed the racy rake of the C-pillar (the post between the back doors and the rear windows), which they say is inspired by the TT coupe, but we found the A3's squared-off shape to be reminiscent of the Audi Quattro hatchbacks of the 1980s (not to mention the Quattro Concept from the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show). The A3's conservative curves may not be as drool-worthy as the Mercedes-Benz CLA, but they pay benefits in rear-seat access and headroom.

The A3's interior is a bit of a head-scratcher, though. At our press preview, Audi touted the importance of a high-class interior in a car like this; buyers shouldn't feel like they are buying a cut-rate Audi (and with a $31k starting price, that's what they have good reason to expect). True enough, Audi has loaded up the A3 with good stuff: Leather upholstery (instead of the faux-leather found in most entry-level German luxury cars), dual-zone climate control, a power driver's seat, a sunroof, and an infotainment screen that retracts into the dash when not in use -- all are standard on the entry-level model.



Dashboard is a Downfall

But we didn't notice any of these things when we first plopped our well-fed rear ends in to the A3. What we saw was the broad expanse of black plastic on the dash, split only by the thinnest line of aluminum trim, and a row of blanked-off switches above the climate controls. We liked the detailed texturing on the center stack and we loved the fancy jet-intake air vents, but they only served to throw the largely unadorned dashboard into bleak contrast. We're used to Audi's brand of austere luxury, but we have to wonder how this will strike first-time buyers who have already sat in a Mercedes-Benz CLA or a Lexus IS -- or even a Buick Verano. It's not a great first impression.

That's unfortunate, because the more potential buyers look, we think, the more they will like. Audi poured serious money into the A3's infotainment system. The pop-up screen is ingenious; it makes the Mercedes CLA's fixed screen look like a tacked-on afterthought. The system is powered by an NVIDEA CPU/GPU, which provides lots of computing horsepower for crisp graphics and sharp animations (and makes it cheaper for Audi to upgrade the system in future years). The basic stereo includes satellite and HD radio; a 14-speaker 705-watt Bang & Olufsen system is optional. What it lacks is a simple USB port. You can still stream music from your phone over Bluetooth, but if you simply want to charge your device, you'll need a $65 cable from Audi... or a $15 cigarette-lighter adapter from Best Buy.

Latest In-Car Tech Looks As Good As It Sounds

The optional navigation system includes handwriting recognition for the MultiMedia Interface (MMI) dial controller, allowing you to program a destination by tracing letters on the top of the dial with your finger, plus next-turn directions displayed on a color screen in the dash. But the hot setup is the MMI Navigation Plus ($2,600 on the mid-level Premium Plus and standard on the top-line Prestige), which includes 4G LTE wireless Internet connectivity that provides Google Earth satellite imagery for the navigation system, Google voice searches, the ability to find for a destination by uploading a photo to the car (using GPS location info embedded in the picture), and, of course, a WiFi hot spot. Wireless service is free for the first six months, and priced at $99 for 6 months and $499 for 30 months thereafter.

We've always found the back seat of the A4 a bit tight, so we braced ourselves for the worst in the A3. But we were surprised: The A3 has only a smidge less rear-seat legroom than the A4 (a smidge measures one-tenth of an inch), and while headroom in the A3 is 14 smidges less than the A4, we still found it plenty comfortable, and much easier to get in and out of than the Mercedes CLA. Trunk room is similar to the A4 at 12.3 cubic feet -- at least it is on the 1.8T. 2.0T models have a larger fuel tank; that and the bulk of the all-wheel-drive system shrink capacity to just 10 cubic feet.

Lots of Bang (and Olufsen) for Your Buck

So how much Audi do you get for $30,795? Quite a lot, actually: Along with the aforementioned leather, power driver's seat, dual-zone A/C and sunroof, the basic A3 1.8T Premium model features automatic bi-xenon headlights, rain-sensing wipers, and eight airbags (including driver and passenger knee airbags; thorax 'bags for the back seat are optional at $350). The $33,695 Premium Plus model adds upgraded interior trim, heated front seats, and keyless ignition, while the $39,595 A3 Prestige gets LED headlights, MMI Navigation Plus, that earth-shattering B&O stereo, and S-Line body trim.



All three models are offered with either the 1.8T/front-drive and 2.0T/Quattro powertrains, with the latter priced $3,000 higher. Most German cars feature a raft of expensive options, but the A3 keeps things reasonable: An A3 Prestige 2.0T with all the boxes ticked (including extra-cost metallic paint, two-tone interior, Sport package, lane departure assistance and adaptive cruise control) tops out at $45,445. Compare the A3 to a comparably equipped Mercedes CLA250, and the Audi comes up around two grand cheaper.

The Verdict

The A3 is Audi at its best: a car that speaks softly with a powertrain and chassis that carry a big honkin' stick. The sober interior styling may not win over potential Mercedes buyers, while the driving purists to whom this car appeals most will be disappointed by the lack of a manual transmission. Overall, though, the A3 delivers just about everything we want (and expect) from an Audi in a small, attractively-priced package. We're sold.

LOVE IT
Well-equipped base models
Splendid handling
Well-designed infotainment system

LEAVE IT
Plain-looking dashboard
No USB ports
2.0T models have a tiny trunk

Audi RS3 to have 367 HP, go on sale early next year

Following the introduction of the A3 Sedan, Audi is expanding the A3 compact family in the U.S. with the A3 TDI Sportback, which will launch in summer 2015. Making its debut at the New York Auto Show, the Audi A3 TDI Sportback is powered by the latest generation 2.0-liter TDI clean diesel engine mated to a standard 6-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission.

The 150hp engine is shared with the updated 2015 VW Jetta, on which it produces 236 lb-ft of torque (320 Nm) from 1,750 rpm up to 3,000 rpm. Audi did not offer fuel economy figures for the A3 TDI Sportback, but they should not be too far off the Jetta’s 37 mpg (6.35 l/100 km) on the combined cycle.

The A3 TDI Sportback will join the newly launched A3 family, which over the next 18 months will add to the A3 Sedan the A3 Cabriolet, A3 TDI clean diesel sedan, S3 Sedan and the A3 Sportback e-tron gasoline electric hybrid (PHEV).

Audi has first introduced diesel engines in the U.S. in 2009, and has sold more than 37,500 TDI vehicles ever since. Currently there are five 2014 models available with TDI engines, including the A6, A7, A8 L, Q5, and Q7. Later this year, Audi will also introduce the A3 TDI sedan in the U.S.

Audi says its TDI engines are on average 30 percent more economical than their gasoline counterparts, based on EPA fuel economy estimates. Diesel engines also emit lower quantities of CO2 into the atmosphere than comparable gasoline vehicles.

As in previous years, the second press day at the New York Auto Show is the day the World Car of the Year award is announced. Following the VW Golf last year, the 2014 winner is another member of the VW Group that shares the same platform - the Audi A3 premium compact. The A3 has been voted by an international jury panel comprising 69 top-level automotive journalists from 22 countries around the world.

The third generation of the Audi A3 surpassed 23 other cars, including the BMW 4-Series, BMW i3, Cadillac CTS, Citroen C4 Picasso, Ford Fusion / Mondeo, Infiniti Q50, Jeep Cherokee, Lexus IS, Mazda3, Peugeot 308 and Skoda Octavia.

“The Audi A6 was the first ever winner of this award and we are delighted that the Audi A3 has repeated that achievement by being voted 2014 World Car of the Year. The Audi A3 showcases Audi’s technical competence in all aspects of carmaking, not least in the areas of lightweight technology, drivetrain, mobile infotainment and driver assistance systems,” said Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of Audi AG.

The new Audi A3 is available as a three-door, five-door Sportback, Cabriolet and Sedan. It is powered by a range of TFSI gasoline and TDI diesel engines. The A3 Sportback is also available as a gtron, which can be operated using e‑gas generated by Audi, natural gas, or gasoline. Later this year, the A3 Sportback will also be available as an e‑tron plug-in hybrid.

The first-generation Audi A3 launched in 1996, inaugurating the premium compact class. The second-generation model arrived in 2003 and added a Cabriolet to the familiar three-door and Sportback body styles.

To be unveiled in 2015

Our spies have returned with a new set of photos depicting the upcoming Audi RS3.

The camouflaged prototype was seen just near the Nürburgring in Germany and it was the Sportback version, not surprisingly taking into account reports suggest Audi will sell the RS3 only as a five-door model. Expect to see a slightly more aggressive body kit compared to the S3 with wider tracks and a dual oval-shaped exhaust arrangement.

Its heart and soul will allegedly be the familiar 2.5-liter 5-cylinder turbo tweaked to output somewhere in the region of 367 PS (270 kW). It will work with an S tronic transmission to send output to a quattro all-wheel drive system. There are also talks about an optional dynamic kit but details are murky right now.

Chances are the Audi RS3 Sportback will be officially revealed at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, with order books opening a month later while deliveries are likely programmed to commence in July.

Unlike some other entry-level German luxury cars, the Audi A3 feels true to its brand. Turbocharged power makes it fun and even basic versions are well equipped.

Want to know what the hottest thing in the luxury segment is these days? You're looking at it: Small, entry-level sedans from established luxury brands aiming to suck the millennial generation in with enticing design, luxury content and the latest in electronic wizardry.

The 2015 A3 is an impressive introduction to the Audi lineup, featuring luxury ride quality, sophisticated electronics and peppy powertrains; it's let down by numb steering and unremarkable fuel economy.

The A3 has been on sale here since the 2006 model year. Gone is the four-door hatchback version (for now), replaced by a more traditional "three-box" sedan layout, meaning it has a trunk and fixed rear glass. It's longer than an Audi TT, with a longer wheelbase too, but shorter than the A4 sedan, which has grown a bit since its introduction. Later this year, the sedan will be joined by a convertible, a diesel version and a more powerful sports-oriented S3, while next year the five-door returns in a plug-in-hybrid version called the A3 e-tron.

If the A3 looks familiar, that's on purpose — the car's designer said the company requires certain cues in its new sedan designs, such as the one-third/two-thirds proportion rule: The top one-third of the car, when viewed from the side, will be greenhouse while two-thirds of it will be below the beltline. These proportions are carried over from all of Audi's sedans along with the three side windows and character line that starts with the headlights and sweeps back to the tail. It's clean, almost timeless and Germanic in its "form following function" ideal, but let's be honest — it does tend to make all Audi sedans look pretty much the same.

How it drives
The base car starts out with a turbocharged 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine making 170 horsepower and 200 pounds-feet of torque that's sent only to the front wheels through Audi's S tronic six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. That may not seem like a lot of power, but it comes on surprisingly strong and zips the A3 1.8T from zero to 60 mph in a respectable 7.2 seconds. In practice, it feels a lot quicker — and if you keep the transmission in Sport mode, different algorithms designed for sportier performance will keep the turbo engine in the sweet spot to allow for aggressive driving. Get hard on the accelerator and the steering wheel will pull left and right thanks to some surprising torque steer; the 1.8T will even chirp the tires from a standing start, so it's by no means slow. The A3 is a rare instance where a car's base engine is actually desirable.

There's a more powerful engine to upgrade to if you choose: a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that's mated only to Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system, also through the six-speed S tronic automatic. No manual transmission is offered in the A3. It's pumping out a robust 220 hp and 258 pounds-feet of torque, which is good enough to slash a full 1.4 seconds off the A3 1.8T's zero-to-60 time. The 2.0T feels noticeably faster and thanks to the all-wheel drive, torque steer is not a problem. Quattro does add 187 pounds to the A3 and takes out 2.3 cubic feet of trunk space, but the benefits to people living in inclement climates are real. Fuel economy is nearly identical for both models, 23/33/27 mpg city/highway/combined for the 1.8T, and 24/33/27 mpg for the 2.0T; neither of which is particularly impressive. The diesel model will improve on these numbers.

Driving the A3 around the hills of Silicon Valley revealed a remarkable little car, one that exhibits astonishing ride quality even fitted with optional 18-inch wheels and summer tires; 17-inch wheels with all-season tires are standard. Body control is exceptional. The A3 rides like a much bigger car, exhibiting none of the harshness, bucking or choppiness that often comes with short-wheelbase vehicles. Road imperfections are met with a well-damped, muted whump with no unsettling motions transmitted to the driver. The A3's suspension tune may be the car's best quality; it truly rides like a luxury car.

Handling, on the other hand, is less exemplary. The A3 features electrically assisted power steering, and it is best described as joyless. Very little is communicated to the driver, and the effort is so light that it almost feels like operating an arcade game with minimal force-feedback. Sporty it is not.

Things improve somewhat if you check the box for the Sport Package, which includes the electronic Audi Drive Select. This allows the driver to switch between four modes — Dynamic, Comfort, Individual and Auto — each adjusting the steering effort, transmission behavior and throttle response curves for a sportier or more luxurious experience. The decreased power-steering assist of Dynamic mode makes a big difference in how the car feels, imparting a better sense of control over the steering, but feedback to the driver remains scant. My driving partner and I found ourselves backing off of aggressive driving in the A3 on twisty forest roads as there simply was little reward to it — other than making ourselves ill. Here's hoping the upcoming sport suspension package (available later) improves this.

Interior
Inside, the A3 displays the typical high-quality materials, assembly and design for which Audi products are known. There are a few cost-cutting measures, though, such as the lack of individual map lights, buttons on the rear doors that lock but don't unlock the doors and a row of blank dashboard switches that remind you of all the options you didn't order. There are a few nice touches, too, such as a standard panoramic moonroof, a well-integrated optional multimedia system that folds into the dash when not in use, standard leather seat surfaces, automatic climate control and more. This gives it an edge over some competitors like the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, which offers none of those as standard equipment. If you want leather, a moonroof, bi-xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights or automatic climate control on a CLA250, you'll be paying extra for them.

There is adequate room in all dimensions for a driver and front passenger, even if the seats are a bit short and narrow. The Sport Package, which adds sport seats with manually extending thigh support, addresses the seat shortness. The backseat is a different story: Because there's enough room under the front seats for rear passengers' toes, legroom isn't awful, but the standard moonroof eats up rear headroom to a serious degree, making the rear seats uncomfortable for anyone approaching 6 feet tall. Surprisingly, the A3 has more passenger space than the Mercedes-Benz CLA250, despite being a dimensionally smaller car. Front seat passengers have 1.4 inches more headroom in an A3 versus a non-moonroof equipped CLA, jumping to 2.6 inches more when you compare two moonroof-equipped cars. Rear passengers have both an inch more headroom in an A3 and a whopping 8 inches more legroom. What it comes down to is that from any seat in the car, the A3 is more comfortable than the CLA.

Ergonomics and electronics
Audi has packed the A3 with the latest electronic equipment, including the first instance of a 4G LTE wireless connectivity system for sale in the U.S. It allows for connecting multiple wireless devices over an in-vehicle Wi-Fi network using the high-speed broadband connection the car has with the internet. Audi Connect has a number of functions through the Multi Media Interface display screen, including Facebook and Twitter access, RSS news feeds, internet radio stations, text-to-speech for e-mail and text messages, and even the ability to play high-definition videos on the central screen when the vehicle is stationary. This can be accompanied by an outstanding 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen stereo, which is part of several option packages or stands alone as a reasonable $850 option.

All of it works quite well, as Audi's MMI system is in my opinion the best luxury-brand multimedia system on the market. The simple rotary **** is surrounded by four buttons that correspond to the four corners of the screen, and a dedicated back button allows for quick, simple operation of the display screen without having to look at one's hands. It's quick, clear and easy to use. What more can one ask for?

Cargo and storage
The A3 is currently only a four-door sedan, with the hatchback returning next year. This limits cargo space a little, with the A3 providing 12.3 cubic feet of trunk room, dropping to 10.0 cubic feet in Quattro-equipped models. The sedan does provide a standard 60/40-split folding backseat for longer items, if needed.

Safety
Audi has provided a decent list of safety equipment for the A3. It's not quite as advanced as in some of Audi's more expensive, larger models, but still comprehensive. Standard features include forward collision warning and Audi's Pre-Sense system that detects if the vehicle is in an emergency maneuver and prepares occupant restraint systems and the vehicle for a possible collision. Active lane assist and adaptive cruise control are optional, as is a backup camera. See the A3's full list of equipment here.

Value in Its Class
The new A3 starts at $30,795, including a destination charge, for a 1.8T front-wheel-drive car. The 2.0T jumps to $33,795 but includes Quattro all-wheel drive standard in addition to more power. Three trims are available: Premium, Premium Plus and Prestige with either powertrain. Premium is the standard trim and includes leather seating surfaces, multifunction steering wheel, panoramic moonroof, bi-xenon headlights with LED head- and taillights, and satellite radio. Premium Plus adds 18-inch wheels, keyless entry with push-button start, dual-zone climate control, a power passenger seat and iPod integration. Stepping up to the Prestige trim adds navigation, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, electronic safety aids such as a backup camera and blind spot warning, full LED headlights and sporty exterior trim. Some options like the navigation package with Audi Connect and the premium sound system are stand-alone features. Go crazy with the options list and you can easily top $44,000.

The new A3 joins the latest crop of small luxury sedans — the Mercedes-Benz CLA250, Buick Verano and Acura ILX — but there are some stark differences among the competitors.

BMW makes a 1 Series, but it's only available as a two-door, while the others offer their entry-luxury models as a four-door.

The Verano is the bargain of the group, with an entertaining turbocharged model that's well-equipped and comes in below $30,000. It's more spacious than the A3, faster and just as quiet, but not quite as upscale in either its build quality or styling.

The ILX is another option but isn't anywhere as pleasant or sophisticated in its execution as the A3 (or the Verano or CLA250 for that matter). Saddled with anemic powertrains but similar pricing to the Buick, it's the choice if you absolutely have to have a Japanese-brand entry-luxury sedan, or if you're looking for a hybrid variant to maximize your gas mileage.

The biggest and closest competitor is the new Mercedes-Benz CLA250, which matches up against the A3 quite well in price, specifications and capabilities. It also is front-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive, has a single turbocharged four-cylinder engine, compact dimensions, upscale interior and plenty of options to drive up the price. On the downside, it's considerably more compact inside than the more upright A3, with passenger room even more scarce. Compare the A3 with its competitors here.

There's a distinct difference in the quality feel and sophistication of the German offerings versus the competitors; the same sense that makes one balk at paying $33,000 for an Acura ILX makes you think paying $33,000 for a decently equipped A3 is quite reasonable. The Buick and Acura feel like small cars made better, while the Audi and Mercedes-Benz feel like better cars made small. My pick would be an A3 1.8T equipped with the Audi drive control to firm up the steering. It's an impressive little car and will be an excellent introduction to the Audi brand if the company can attract the new buyers it wants.

There's a distinct difference in the quality feel and sophistication of the German offerings versus the competitors; the same sense that makes one balk at paying $33,000 for an Acura ILX makes you think paying $33,000 for a decently equipped A3 is quite reasonable. The Buick and Acura feel like small cars made better, while the Audi and Mercedes-Benz feel like better cars made small.

Last time we checked, Audi was testing the next RS3's hardware on the modified body of an S3 Sportback mule. Not any more, as our spies caught Ingolstadt's engineers in a camouflaged prototype of the production RS3 Sportback, complete with all the usual RS styling traits like the honeycomb grille, bloated wheel arches, reworked bumpers and two big oval exhaust tips at the rear end of the car.

There have been conflicting reports about what powertrain will motivate the new MQB platform-riding RS3. It was initially thought that the previous model's 2.5-liter inline-five turbo would return in an improved form, but recently, German media, including Automotorundsport magazine, have suggested that Audi will instead use the VW Group's EA888 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four.

The 2.0 turbo unit was recently displayed in its highest state of tune yet on the TT Quattro Sport Concept where it was rated at a remarkable (for its displacement) 414hp (420PS) and 450Nm (332 lb-ft).

Whichever mill finds its way under the bonnet of the RS3, it should deliver somewhere between 350 and 400-horses.

Along with the pictured five-door Sportback, Audi may also build RS3 versions of the three-door hatch and the sedan models of the compact series.

There's no set date yet for the new RS3's reveal, but potential candidates include the Paris Motor Show this October and the Geneva Salon next March.

Behold the new A3 clubsport quattro concept, a hotted-up version of the 2015 Audi A3 sedan that’s powered by a five-cylinder TFSI engine developing—wait for it—525 horsepower and 442 pound-feet of torque. The concept will be shown for the first time at the 2014 Wörthersee Tour tuning fest in Austria running from May 28-31 and previews a potential RS 3 sedan.

Audi has already started work on a new RS 3 Sportback, but the fact that the A3 clubsport quattro concept is a sedan suggests that an RS 3 sedan will eventually be launched as well. Given the popularity of the Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG, a new RS 3 sedan from Audi seems like a no-brainer.

The A3 clubsport quattro concept features a number of RS clues including air curtains in the front intakes, a mesh grille, pumped fenders, and oval exhaust tips integrated with the rear bumper. However, the biggest clue that this may be an RS 3 preview is the five-cylinder engine, previous versions of which have been fitted to the former TT RS as well as the former RS 3 Sportback and RS Q3 sold overseas.

“The Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept shows our car and tuning fans at the Wörthersee just how much sporty potential there is in the A3 family and in our top-of-the-line engines such as the 2.5 TFSI,” Audi R&D boss Ulrich Hackenberg said in a statement. “We have pushed the limits in every respect with this show car: power, dynamics, sound, design.”

The A3 clubsport quattro concept weighs 3,366 pounds, which isn’t bad for an all-wheel-drive sedan, and with its potent powerplant will sprint from 0-62 mph in 3.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 192 mph. Extensive modifications make this extreme performance possible. These include a large turbocharger running close to 22 psi of boost pressure, high-flow intake and exhaust systems, and a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission with a compact three-shaft layout. Its tall seventh gear reduces fuel consumption, and the final gear ratio has been modified accordingly.

The heart of the quattro all-wheel-drive system is a hydraulically activated, multi-plate clutch on the rear axle that has been specially designed for the high torque of the powerful five‑cylinder. Like the engine management system, its electronic controller is integrated into the Audi drive select system which allows the driver to adjust its potency. The suspension of the concept has also been lowered 0.4 of an inch and now includes adjustable coilovers and lighter aluminum components. The concept also wears 21-inch wheels which house massive carbon-ceramic brake discs.

The cabin of the A3 clubsport quattro concept seats four comfortably. Racing seats with high side bolsters await the driver and front passenger. Alcantara, carbon fiber and leather can all be found here. The footrest and pedals are made of stainless steel, black faces and red needles are used in the instrument cluster, and a shift light in the tacho indicates when the 6,900 rpm rev limit is reached.

Joining the A3 clubsport quattro concept on Audi’s stand at this year’s Wörthersee Tour will be the new 2016 TT and TT quattro sport concept as well as the 2015 S3 Cabriolet.