THE prospect of jumping into Audi’s all-new RS3 Sportback in the Austrian Alps around Turracher Höhe where the original Audi Quattro was first demonstrated to the Audi board in 1978 was hugely appealing.
Unfortunately, previous commitments meant I couldn’t go – not good.
However, fortunately, my chums at Headlineauto could go – which is good. Not for me – I’m still sulking about it. But good that at least we have something to report. This is what they had to say about the launch of the new Audi RS3 Sportback:
Unlike 1978, when the mountain roads where covered in snow the sun was out and it was a positively balmy 26 degrees.
Still plenty of opportunity, though, to test the latest in Audi’s high performance range, the RS3 Sportback, a real pocket rocket.
This is the new and eagerly awaited halo model for the A3 range which accounts for a third of all Audi sales in the UK.
It is powered by a five-cylinder, turbocharged, 340PS engine mated to a 7-speed S tronic twin-clutch gearbox and four-wheel drive descended from the Quattro rally cars’ ‘PDK’ transmission.
If you fancy one, and haven’t got it on order, you’ll have to wait until one comes up on the second hand market as the entire allocation of 500 has already sold out.
Audi boss Jeremy Hicks describes the RS3 as very much a halo model for the A3 range which accounts for about one third of all Audi sales in the UK, and definitely not a ‘vanity project’.
He added: “The RS3 has an important part to play in our line-up. It is a modern interpretation of the original quattro. The fact that we have sold out of our allocation for this year is absolute testimony to strength of the brand given that customers have been prepared to order the car without even seeing it first.”
What a tease is that? For me for not going – and for you not being able to try one. Still, a visit to your local Audi Centre might be in order to see if there are any ‘returns’.
Editor’s Blog on new Audi RS3
