Audi has already welcomed the RS3 Sedan to South Africa and fans of the RS3 Sportback can expect the arrival of the facelifted version in November 2017. Take a look at the details below.

The RS3 is aptly described as a “tarmac terrorist” due to its ferocious performance ability. However, the facelifted RS3 seeks to up the stakes with exterior and interior styling improvements, equipment upgrades and most importantly, more power and torque.

Let’s take a quick look at what the facelifted RS3 Sportback will bring to the tarmac…

More power, more thrills

Both the RS3 Sedan and RS3 Sportback are equipped with a lighter and more powerful 2.5-litre, 5-cylinder turbopetrol engine.

The big news for the facelifted Audi RS3 is that it will adopt the lighter (26 kg lighter) and more powerful 2.5-litre, 5-cylinder turbocharged engine that’s found under the bonnet of the RS3 sedan and Audi TT RS. That means that the RS3 will now deliver 295 kW and 480 Nm of torque! That's 24 kW and 15 Nm more than the outgoing RS3.

Using Audi’s quattro permanent all-wheel drive and a 7-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission, the RS3 will rocket from zero to 100 kph in 4.1 seconds before reaching an electronically limited top speed of 250 kph. Audi claims a fuel consumption figure of 8.3 L/100 km. These performancefigures are identical for the RS3 Sedan, too.

Hotter styling

The RS3 Sportback will bring enhanced styling to the tarmac and should be well received when it arrives in November 2017.

The facelifted Audi RS3 features a few design tweaks that improvethe overall design. These changes include new LED headlight units (matrix LED headlights are optional) and a more angular surround seen on the single-frame grille. The front and rear bumpers have been reworked with a redesigned front blade, while the rear diffuser has also been revised. The RS3 also gains a new rear taillight graphic to round off the exterior changes. The RS3 Sportback features an RS roof edge spoiler while the RS3 sedan features an RS-specific spoiler lip on the boot lid. A total of 8 exterior colours are offered for both the RS3 Sedan and RS3 Sportback including Nardo Grey and Catalunya Red.

Fine Nappa leather sports seats and an updated infotainment system are but some of the highlights inside the facelifted RS3.

On the inside, the RS3 gains Audi’s Virtual Cockpit which is offered as an option. Nappa leathersport seats now feature a more contoured profile and customers can also opt for RS sports seats with sharply contoured side bolstersand integrated head restraints. An optional RS design package is on offer which includes red accent rings around the air vents and contrasting stitching on the upholstery for maximum effect while the door trim is finished in Alcantara and the footrest and pedals are in stainless steel.

The infotainment system has been updated too with a round rotary/push-button control on the console which has an additional joystick function in conjunction with the MMI navigation. With MMI Navigation Plus with MMI touch, a touchpad is found on the rotary/push-button control. Audi smartphone interface,which integrates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, is optionally available in conjunction withMMI Navigation Plus. Qi-enabled smartphones can also be charged wirelessly or connectedvia the car's antenna using the Audi phone box. A 705W Bang & Olufsen Sound System with 14 loudspeakers is also fitted.

Standard Features

The following features are offered as standard for the RS Sedan and RS3 Sportback:

19-inch alloy Audi Sport wheels4-link rear suspensionAcoustic windscreenAluminium matt styling packageAudi drive select®Audi music interfaceAudi sound systemBluetooth interfaceBrake pad wear indicatorCruise controlDeluxe automatic air conditioningDriver & front passenger airbag with knee airbag & front passenger airbag deactivationDriver information system with colour displayElectronic stabilisation program (ESP)Exterior mirror housings in matt aluminium lookFine Nappa leather trim with contrasting stitchingFront seats with height adjustment and retractable thigh supportFront sports seatsFolding rear seat backFront centre armrestFront head restraintsHeadlining, clothIndirect tire pressure monitoring systemInlays in 3D-design Optic titanium greyInterior mirror with automatic anti-glare actionISOFIX child seat mounting for outer rear seat & passenger seatLED headlights & taillights incl. dynamic indicatorsLeather-covered multifunction sports steering wheel, 3-spoke, flat-bottomed, with shift paddlesLighting packageParking system plus with selective displaySports suspensionStart/stop systemStorage compartment and luggage compartment packageTyre repair kitPedals and footrest in stainless steelProgressive steeringquattro®Rear fog lightsRear spoilerRS bumpersRS sports exhaust systemScuff plates in door apertures (illuminated)Separate daytime running lightsSide airbags at front and head airbag system

The RS3 Sedan is now available at all Audi Sport dealerships in South Africa and the RS3 Sportback will arrive in locally in November 2017. Take a look at pricing for the RS3 Sedan and RS3 Sportback below.

Audi RS3 Sportback and Sedan – prices in South Africa

RS3 Sedan 2.5 TFSI quattro S tronic R925 500

RS3 Sportback 2.5 TFSI quattro S tronic: R895 500

Pricing includes a 5-year/100 000 km Audi Freeway Plan.

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