2017 Audi RS 3 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Write a review$54,500 to $54,500
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The U.S. misses out on some of the most exciting products European automakers offer in their home countries—from fast wagons to giant-slaying hot hatchbacks, it’s easy to feel a little jealous once you see what’s across the pond. But sometimes an automaker decides to send over a piece of this forbidden fruit, like Audi’s announcement at the New York Auto Show that a sedan version of the RS 3 will be coming to North America for 2017.
Audi has been selling the RS 3 in Europe for a number of years, but only as a hatchback. While U.S. buyers have historically shied away from hatchbacks, sedans tend to do very well, and Audi expects 40 percent of RS 3 sedan sales to come from the North American market.
Under the RS 3 sedan’s skin lie many of the components found in the upcoming TT RS. First is a turbocharged 2.5-liter inline 5-cylinder engine good for 400 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque, an increase of 108 hp and 74 lb-ft over the S3 sedan. A 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission and a revised quattro all-wheel-drive (AWD) system put the power to the pavement, and with launch control activated, the RS 3 can hit 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds. Top speed is limited to 155 mph but can be increased to 174 mph with the available Dynamic Plus package.
The RS 3 comes standard with a set of magnetorheological dampers filled with magnetic fluid that adapt instantly to road conditions. Conventional steel springs with adjustable dampers are available, but consider this only if you live in an area where the roads are pristine, as this setup is very firm. Large ventilated disc brakes are standard, although if you want the ultimate stopping power, you can equip your RS 3 with carbon-ceramic disc brakes. Audi’s drive select system offers 4 drive modes—Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, and Individual—that alter shift points, throttle response, steering, and dampers to provide the best driving experience. Additionally, the stability-control system now comes with a Sport mode for quicker system intervention during aggressive driving.
If you want a sports sedan that won’t stand out, you should probably pass on the RS 3. Audi has turned up the exterior’s aggression level to 11, with a deeper bumper that features larger air intakes for additional engine and brake cooling and a grille surround with “quattro” written along the bottom. For the back, the RS 3 receives a lip spoiler, diffuser, and dual tailpipes that deliver the sweet sound of the engine. Standard 19-inch alloy wheels come wrapped in high-performance summer tires. And if you want your RS 3 to look even more striking, you can custom order a special exterior color through the Audi exclusive program.
The interior of the RS 3 doesn’t look too different from that of the S3 sedan, aside from a set of Nappa leather sport seats with quilt-stitched sections. The cabin is outfitted with aluminum and carbon fiber trim and boasts a standard 7-inch screen with the latest version of Audi’s MMI infotainment system, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. Optional technology features include a 4G LTE data connection; Audi connect with traffic, weather, fuel prices, and Twitter alerts; and Audi’s virtual cockpit, which swaps the standard instrument cluster for a fully customizable 12.3-inch display.
As for safety, the RS 3 will come with Audi pre sense basic, which prepares the vehicle in the event of a crash by closing all the windows and pre-tensioning the front seatbelts. Blind-spot monitoring is available through an optional Technology package and will come standard on the 2018 model.
Only a small number of 2017 Audi RS 3 sedans will be available for sale this summer, with a starting price tag of $54,500. 2017 RS 3’s will come preconfigured with a number of optional features, such as carbon fiber inlays, the virtual cockpit, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, red brake calipers, and a sport exhaust system. If you miss out on picking up a 2017 model, however, don’t fret—Audi will ship a larger quantity of 2018 RS 3 sedans sometime soon after.
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2017 Audi RS 3 Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: mast · Voice recognition audio system · Memory card slot auxiliary audio input · HD radio · Remote CD: DVD audio · Remote CD changer location: in glove compartment · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Total Number of Speakers: 9 · 180 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 14.6 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.2 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Center console trim: aluminium · Door sill trim: illuminated scuff plate · Door trim: aluminum · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Cargo area power outlet: 12V · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: trunk release · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: rear · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: phone · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Manual adjustments: 8
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.45
Engine
Alternator: 140 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Exhaust tip color: chrome · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: aluminum · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: lip · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Window trim: aluminum
Headrests
Front headrests: integrated · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google search · Infotainment: Android Auto ready · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: auto delay off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: auto-dimming
Passenger Seat
Manual Adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: 60-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: tilt/slide
Safety
Automatic emergency braking: front · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Parking sensors: rear · Pre-Collision Warning System: audible warning · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat manual adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat manual adjustments: reclining · Passenger seat power adjustments: 4-way power lumbar · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium leather
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Kit: inflator kit
Steering
Steering ratio: 14.6
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Front shock type: monotube · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Rear shock type: monotube · Stabilizer bar(s): rear · Suspension control: magnetic
Telematics
Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: with safety reverse