The current Audi RS3 debuted in 2021 and went on sale for the 2022 model year with a starting price of $59,995. Given that the vehicle is so new, it’s odd to see the company developing what appears to be a model refresh.
The camouflage wrap is in all the places we would expect to see on a refreshed vehicle in development. It covers the front fascia, fenders, side sills and rear bumper.
14 Pictures
Compared to the existing RS3 (see comparison below), there are big changes to the front fascia. Vertical entries are now on the outer edges. The other openings are trapezoidal, rather than the roughly pentagonal shape of the current car. The four-ring logo occupies a higher position closer to the hood.
It’s hard to see for sure, but the front fenders could get a more angular shape for flares. This car rolls on ten-spoke wheels that split into a V on the rim. The drilled brake discs are visible.
At the rear, it looks like the fake grille on the rear bumper is gone. Although camouflage can hide things. Two oval-shaped exhaust pipes are still present on the new model.
Our spies are actually unsure of the identity of this vehicle as it seems too early to update the RS3. This is the first time they’ve seen the model, so the company might not roll out updates for over a year or more.
Assuming it’s a refreshed RS3, we’d expect at least a few tweaks inside as well.
30 Pictures
The current RS3 uses a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-five that develops 401 horsepower (299 kilowatts) and 369 pound-feet (500 newton-meters) of torque. The European model is a little less powerful making 394 hp (294 kW).
A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission sends power to an all-wheel-drive system. The rear axle has what Audi brands as the torque splitter which can send up to 100% of the torque to either wheel as needed.
In the United States, the RS3 is available with several option packages. The RS Technology package includes a Bang & Olufsen head-up display, navigation and stereo. The Dynamic Plus package includes ceramic front brake discs, a carbon engine cover and a 180mph speed limiter. As the name suggests, the Carbon Pack loads the vehicle with the lightweight material.
For a deeper dive into the new RS3, watch this episode of Rambling About Cars:
The current Audi RS3 debuted in 2021 and went on sale for the 2022 model year with a starting price of $59,995. Given that the vehicle is so new, it’s odd to see the company developing what appears to be a model refresh.
The camouflage wrap is in all the places we would expect to see on a refreshed vehicle in development. It covers the front fascia, fenders, side sills and rear bumper.
14 Pictures
Compared to the existing RS3 (see comparison below), there are big changes to the front fascia. Vertical entries are now on the outer edges. The other openings are trapezoidal, rather than the roughly pentagonal shape of the current car. The four-ring logo occupies a higher position closer to the hood.
It’s hard to see for sure, but the front fenders could get a more angular shape for flares. This car rolls on ten-spoke wheels that split into a V on the rim. The drilled brake discs are visible.
At the rear, it looks like the fake grille on the rear bumper is gone. Although camouflage can hide things. Two oval-shaped exhaust pipes are still present on the new model.
Our spies are actually unsure of the identity of this vehicle as it seems too early to update the RS3. This is the first time they’ve seen the model, so the company might not roll out updates for over a year or more.
Assuming it’s a refreshed RS3, we’d expect at least a few tweaks inside as well.
30 Pictures
The current RS3 uses a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-five that develops 401 horsepower (299 kilowatts) and 369 pound-feet (500 newton-meters) of torque. The European model is a little less powerful making 394 hp (294 kW).
A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission sends power to an all-wheel-drive system. The rear axle has what Audi brands as the torque splitter which can send up to 100% of the torque to either wheel as needed.
In the United States, the RS3 is available with several option packages. The RS Technology package includes a Bang & Olufsen head-up display, navigation and stereo. The Dynamic Plus package includes ceramic front brake discs, a carbon engine cover and a 180mph speed limiter. As the name suggests, the Carbon Pack loads the vehicle with the lightweight material.
For a deeper dive into the new RS3, watch this episode of Rambling About Cars: