Set to debut in Austria in late May, the Audi A3 Clubsport Quattro Concept represents the pinnacle of performance for the new A3 line. Audi engineers have taken the existing A3 running gear and revised it heavily, creating an absolute tour de force of acceleration, handling, and driving pleasure in a compact package.
Audi engineers started from the ground-up in designing the A3 Clubsport Quattro–the high-spec Audi gets a performance-tuned Quattro AWD system and sport-tuned McPherson struts in all four corners, with a multilink setup in the rear. In addition, the concept sits 0.4 inches lower than the standard S3 and wears massive 275/25 tires for maximum roadholding grip. Most importantly, however, the A3 Clubsport Quattro has high-performance carbon-ceramic discs in all four corners, a feature that may appear as an option on the upcoming RS3.
Of course, the heavy upgrading continues under the hood–instead of the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder available on the S3, the A3 Clubsport Quattro receives a version of Audi’s 2.5-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder, running 1.5 bar of boost pressure. Horsepower increases to 518 horsepower over the S3’s 335, just as torque (from 2,300 rpm) increases to 443 lb.-ft. over the S3’s 331 lb.-ft. All of these massive numbers translate to immense performance–0-60 mph comes in 3.6 seconds on the way to a top speed of 193 (193!) mph. To handle the massive doses of torque, the A3 Clubsport Quattro uses Audi’s 7-speed S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox with a built-in launch control function, meaning that drivers can experience the surreal 0-60 runs over and over again.
In keeping with the car’s sporting nature, an impressive braking system is installed on the A3 Clubsport Quattro. Aside from the aforementioned carbon-ceramic discs, the concept has an air brake installed on the rear decklid that deploys at speeds above 155 mph. According to Audi, the system can reduce high-speed braking distances by around 40 feet.
The A3 Clubsport Quattro also receives a number of exterior upgrades over the standard A3; special “Quattro” badges grace the front and rear, while carbon fiber accents on the sills and tank flap and twin chrome-tipped exhaust pipes give the car a mean personality. Specific also to this concept car is the deep blue paint scheme seen in the pictures above.
Expect the official production version of the RS3 to have many of the features of the A3 Clubsport Quattro, though its engine tuning may not be so extreme. Stay tuned during the next few months on TFLcar.com for details of the RS3’s production.
Please enjoy this TFLcar.com video review of a similar sports car, the 2012 Audi R8.
Frank caught automotive fever early in life. Hailing from a long line of car fanatics, he was able to recite the year and model of every car that passed him by age five. His passion and love for the automobile have only grown since then. When not thinking about cars, he is reading, writing, learning, or dreaming about them. His area of expertise is in the realm of German and Italian cars, of which Porsche is a favorite. Frank currently resides in the heart of NASCAR country in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his family. He enjoys driving exotic cars in the beautiful Carolina weather.
