Filed under: Spy Photos, Performance, Hatchback, Audi, Luxury

In reaction to news that Audi put up an online petition to bring the TT RS to the U.S., a number of commenters opined that they’d rather have the S3. Well, you’re no closer to getting it, but you can see its even hotter brother, the RS3, in spy shots taken in Austria.

Almost all of the work seems to have taken place up front, where the hottest Audi hatch gets new headlights and gaping intakes. Even though there’s an S3 badge on the front and standard exhaust outlets in back (not the oval units reserved for Audi’s RS models), this isn’t your standard S model. The shooter claims the redline on the mule is 6,500 rpm, where as the normal S3’s redline is 6,000 rpm. And we’d be remiss not to mention these earlier spy shots of an Audi RS3 testing at the ‘Ring, wearing the same S3 badges as well.

Not that it matters - we won’t get either of them, although a hotted up A3 sedan could come someday. But that doesn’t mean you can’t start your own online petition to convince Audi otherwise. Get to work…

[Source: Autoliefhebber (translated)]

Spy Shots: Audi RS3 does Austria’s Gloßglockner originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Aug 2025 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read

Filed under: Car Buying, Performance, Europe, Audi, Canada

We’re going back and forth on this one. Do we file it under “We’ll believe it when we see it” or “Pinch me I’m dreaming”? Either way, we get to sub-tag it, “Thank God for rich friends.” That’s right y’all, Audi is allowing Horchaus, the Canadian distributor MTM, to federalize some special four-ringers for American consumption. These are the real deal, hopped-up German Audis, straight from the tweaker factory.

As we’re sure you all know, Audi keeps a whole bunch of extra spicy models back in Europe. Why? The excuses typically involve some song and dance about Americans not wanting high performance station wagons (as if), though in the case of the RS4 Avant (arguably the most desirable car we can’t buy), the U.S. prohibition was because the rear-mounted battery didn’t pass DOT certification…

So which cars can we now get via Horchaus? The RS4 Avant, RS4 Convertible, S3, the RS6 sedan and RS6 Avant, Q7 V12 TDI and TT RS. And there’s something else to note: Since Euro-tuner MTM is involved in the equation, these cars can be pumped up a bit over stock. One example would be the twin-turbo V10 in the RS6 upped from a paltry 580 horsepower to a more appropriate 735 hp.

That said, Horchaus’s pricing announcement is leading us back to the “We’ll believe it when we see it” category. Using nothing but a straight Euros-to-dollars conversion rate, the RS6 would cost you about $150,000. However, Horchaus is saying it can be yours for just $107,600. Here’s where it gets hinky. Supposedly Horchaus can sell you a R8 V10 5.2 FSI for $98,000, which is mucho less expensive than Audi USA sells them for (the last one we drove cost $172,250). We don’t believe this last bit. Still, will us Americanos be able to get two of the hottest wagons in the world? Si senor, si.

UPDATE: After collaborating with a few colleagues who’ve spoken with people at both Audi Canada and Audi of America, along with Audi AG, we’re a little unsure how a few of the vehicles listed could make it to the States and be legalized. The RS4 and S4 Avants shouldn’t be a problem, as both have had their engines federalized and the S4 Avant has been crash-tested for the U.S. requirements. The RS6 Avant and its V10 engine have not, so importation of that beast is hardly cut and dry. We’ll continue poking around and update this post as necessary.

[Source:
IEDEI
]

Legalize It: Horchaus federalizing non-U.S. Audis for North America originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Feb 2026 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink

If you’re brave enough to depart 99,950 Sfr (roughly €67,200 or $87,200 US with the current exchange rates) to obtain a more extreme version of the Audi S3 then O.CT Tuning’s new “Boehler concept.BS3″ might do the trick for you. To be produced in a limited volume of 100 units, the BS3 comes with O.CT Tuning’s Stage 3 engine kit that includes a specially developed ECU, a sport exhaust system, improved air intake system and an additional intercooler.

With this kit, the S3’s 2.0 TFSI engine produces 328HP and 425 Nm of torque versus the standard’s car’s 265HP and 350 Nm. The Austrian tuner said that the BS3 accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) almost a full second quicker than the stock S3 (5.7 sec) while top speed rises from 250 km/h to a hefty 265 km/h (165mph).

Other mechanical modifications concern the fully adjustable O.CT Coilover Suspension and an 8-piston braking system with 372 mm discs/rotors.

The S3’s exterior looks are enhanced with an aerodynamic package designed by Swiss Styling Expert Color Concept Boehler. The car’s widened fenders allow the use of a significantly bigger wheel-tire combination - two piece, forged MÖZ-Wheels measuring 9 x 20 inches up front and 10 x 20 inches at the rear. The alloys are shed with Yokohama Advan Sport Tires with 245/30 R 20 and 255/30 R 20, respectively. Finally, the kit also comes with carbon-fiber Add-ons for the engine, battery and air intake.

Audi’s much lauded S-Tronic seven-speed twin-clutch transmission has found its way into the recently facelifted S3 that is offered in 3-door and for the first time, 5-door Sportback forms. Available for order in the UK from October 1st at an extra cost of £1,450, the ‘two pedal’ S3 models are priced at £28,920 for the three-door and £29,420 for the five-door Sportback with UK deliveries expected to start in mid-December.

When equipped with the S-Tronic, the three-door S3 sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in 5.5 seconds, 0.2 seconds quicker than the 6-speed manual version with which it shares its electronically governed top speed of 155mph or 250 km/h. Equally important, the twin-clutch transmission betters the S3’s combined fuel economy figure from 33.2mpg UK to 34mpg UK.