Audi RS3 Sportback: Yet another piece of hot-hatch forbidden fruit

Audi originally announced the RS3 sedan at the Paris Motor Show in 2016.

Now, less than a year later, Europe will receive a hatchback variant called the RS3 Sportback.

Don't count on this one coming to the US, though. Buyers here don't like hatchbacks.

It packs the same 400-horsepower, 2.5-liter I5 as the RS3 sedan.

Thanks to its all-wheel drive, the RS3 Sportback will shimmy itself to 62 mph in just 4.1 seconds.

The top speed is set at 155 mph, unless you ask for a higher top speed, in which case it'll be 174 mph.

Carbon ceramic brakes are optional.

It's 1.0 inch lower and 0.8 inches wider than the standard Audi A3 Sportback.

Order books for the RS3 Sportback open in April.

It will run you €54,600 ($58,064, directly converted), which is actually €1,300 ($1,382) less than the sedan.

Static photo, Colour: Ara Blue

Static photo, Colour: Ara Blue

Static photo, Colour: Ara Blue