Audi has at last taken the covers off this the RS3 first pictures

It's the ultimate hot hatchback! After years of hushed rumors and spy shots snapped Audi has finally taken the covers of this series - the RS3.

A final farewell to the A3, which replaced shortly, and a competitor to the upcoming BMW 1-Series M Coupe, this turbocharged, four-wheel-drive sports car designed to capture the essence of the original Quattro with the practicality of the mixture five-door Sportback body.

And it has some real punch. Behind the low air intakes is a 2.5-liter five-cylinder petrol turbo engine, borrowed from the mighty TT RS. Producing 335bhp and 450Nm torque from just 1,600 rpm, it has quattro all-wheel drive and a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch gearbox, complete with steering wheel paddle shifters.

The RS3 has a professional start-control system race from 0-62mph in an incredible 4.6 seconds - making it as fast as the Audi V8 engine R8 supercar - and an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. The engine is full of character - what wEvery one remembers the original 1984 Quattro Coupe - should sound as good as it runs. As with the TT RS, gets the RS3 a sports button, which not only sharpens throttle response further, but opens a flap in the exhaust of the engine note intensify trademark offbeat.

However, the RS3 is not only linear speed. It has an extra-long seventh gear for relaxed highway cruising, an oil pump, which works only when needed and brake energy regeneration, so that they return 31mpg combined - impressive for such a powerful machine.

It should be very well in curves. Audi expert ride and handling engineers have for many months to fine tune the Super flap on the challenging Nurburgring circuit in Germany. They have extended the track to improve stability, while the front MacPherson strut and rear multi-drop set-ups have been strengthened and given sport springs lowering by 25 mm.

Engineers have also included 19-inch alloy wheels with 235/35 tires in front and 225/35 rubber on the back.

With the same Haldex featuring quattro drive train and the TT RS, the RS3 is not a back brace as the R8, unfortunately. Instead, the power is split 50/50, although the system can
divided muscle, the wheel with most grip. High performance brakes - 370mm discs front, 310mm rear with four-piston calipers - and a train control, which can be turned off completely, complete the dynamic package.

Visually, the RS3 certainly stands - but it still has the classic muscular yet subtle look, with Highlihts including widened arches, deep air intakes in the modified front splitter and a roof spoiler. Inside, the RS3 Sport seats in black leather, a flat-bottomed wheel dials for extra turbo boost pressure, oil temperature and lap timer.

Standard equipment is generous: each vehicle is equipped with a reversing camera, climate control and xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights, while options include bucket seats. The RS3 is available for order from mid-December with a price tag of around £ 40,000.

Meanwhile, Audi has confirmed that an A4 RS4 version of the latest DIN, which is available only as an Avant to start real estate.via