

Retaining the 2.5-liter engine, Quattro, and 7-speed dual-clutch transmission Audi leant into iteration as opposed to innovation. Buyers would have to wait until 2015 for the next RS3. The third generation of Audi's hatchback launched for the 2013 model year, it was no longer the cheapest car in the range, with the A1 undercutting it and persuing the Fiat 500 buyer. The first RS3 came before the heavy utilization of the MQB platform, meaning that the A3 didn't share all of its components with other cars. RELATED: The Best Feature Of The 2021 Audi RS7 The interior looked notably RS with bucket seats and bold stitching, but looking back, the cabin looks somewhat sparse and simple.
AUDI A6 2006 PRICE IN USA DRIVER
Car and Driver coined this car "the ultimate compact hatchback", however, they did criticize the lack of a six-speed manual transmission with the dual-clutch system sometimes providing rough gear changes. This RS3 had a twin exit exhaust on the left-hand side of the car's rear. The exterior had the RS treatment with plenty of chrome added to body panels and the silver wing mirrors, however, one RS feature remained missing, the twin oval exhausts. With a 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine, the smallest RS car made quite the bang with its exhaust note that was reminiscent of a larger V10 engine.

It was reduced to lessen brand competition with the more powerful Audi TT model." A successor to the first Audi S3 came in 2006 as a modified version of the second generation car, but the first RS3 wouldn't debut until 2010, ready for 2011. Powered with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder turbo engine partnered with an all-wheel drive system it shares a similar setup to the first-generation Audi TT.Īccording to Car Auto Portal, the underpinnings were "said to come from the de-tuned configuration of an Audi TT. Initially introduced in 1996, the A3 was Audi's first foray into the hatchback market, however their first hot hatch wouldn't come until 1999 in the form of the S3. In the same way, the RS6 Avant is based on the A6, the RS3 is based on the A3. Over three generations, the RS3 has balanced performance and usability. The RS3 is the most affordable model in Audi's performance range. Certain parts of the Audi range remain untouched by the RS badge, notably the R8, but also the A8 and A1. The number of RS models grew upward with the RS6 and RS5 and the elegant RS7 before turning their hand to fast SUVs like the RSQ3. Audi replicated this success further with the RS4, an A4-based BMW M3 rival. Quattro ensures that all the performance car's power sends the car forward instead of sideways. A Porsche engineered 2.2-liter engine provided just over 300 hp and a top speed of 163 mph.Įvo described the car's grip as "unimpeachable," and this is where RS cars find their appeal, useable power. The first RS embodied the brand's philosophy, built in partnership with Porsche, it was a fast and stealthy estate. The S moniker of cars started in 1990, however, the harder and faster RS models began in 1994 with the RS2 Avant. However, unlike their German rivals, the company has long been using all-wheel-drive, the famous Quattro system, which dominated Group B rally.

The RS badge signifies that Audi, in particular, is the creme de la creme of that model, a perfect balance between performance and luxury, and a rival to BMW M cars and Mercedes-AMGs.

Audi's RS division is responsible for the German marques' most admired vehicles.
