Although we never got the chance to sample the Audi RS3 stateside, it's become a pretty hot commodity overseas. There's good reason for this. That's because it's a performance monster AND it's practical.
Turns out auto journalists aren't the only ones who LOVE hot hatches and souped up wagons.
As pointed out in the commentary below, this is anything but a standard S3. The dead giveaway is that 2.5-liter five-cylinder mill though. As I own a 2.5-liter five-cylinder myself, I know that certain tone that a five-cylinder can make — it's similar to a 10-cylinder. The best way to describe it is a howl.
That said, it seems like the Mercedes-Benz CLA45 AMG and BMW M2 will have a nice battle with the four rings latest RS car.
On the outside this Audi looks to be a perfectly normal S3, right? There are a few clues as to why we believe this is a mule for the new 2015 RS3 Sportback though. First of all, look at the size of the brake calipers. Those are no normal S3 brakes to begin with. Furthermore there's the sound of this S3. Does that sound like a normal S3 exhaust note? Lastly, the car is running an HN plate, which are mostly used for Quattro (RS) cars. What do you guys think, is Audi testing the new RS3 engine in this S3 body?
Footage was shot on Tuesday the 13 of May and Tuesday the 20 of May.