SYDNEY: Audi has confirmed it is working on an RS3 sedan to join the hotly anticipated Sport back that will reach Australian showrooms this year.
Having received an overwhelming response to its new S3 sedan, the German car maker is understood to be working on an RS3 sedan to potentially debut at the 2015 Frankfurt motor show in September.
Drive understands the booted model is being developed specifically for the US and Chinese markets where sedans are traditionally preferred over hatchbacks but will be available globally.
“Let’s have a look,” the head of Audi’s quattro division, Heinz Hollerweger, cryptically told Australian media.
The new RS3 Sport back is set to raise the performance stakes of the small car segment, armed with a 2.5 litre five cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 270kW and 465Nm.
The flagship model will be capable of reaching 100km/h from rest in 4.3 seconds, thanks in part to all wheel drive underpinnings.
“We are still working at that concept,” Hollerweger revealed.
Asked whether the sedan would be more popular than a Sport back, Hollerweger said: “I think you have to look at different markets. In Europe the Sport back is very popular, but in the US and also in China, the sedans are more popular. Each car will have different markets.”
The RS3 Sport back is due to debut in Australia this year, with pricing to come in at under $100,000.
