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

Come on, Audi. You're already giving us the sedan. Give us the hatch, too!

Andrew Krok
Cars are Andrew's jam, as is strawberry. After spending years as a regular ol' car fanatic, he started working his way through the echelons of the automotive industry, starting out as social-media director of a small European-focused garage outside of Chicago. From there, he moved to the editorial side, penning several written features in Total 911 Magazine before becoming a full-time auto writer, first for a local Chicago outlet and then for CNET Cars.
Andrew Krok
Audi RS3 Sportback
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Audi originally announced the RS3 sedan at the Paris Motor Show in 2016.

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

Audi RS3 Sportback
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Don't count on this one coming to the US, though. Buyers here don't like hatchbacks.

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

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

Audi RS3 Sportback
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The top speed is set at 155 mph, unless you ask for a higher top speed, in which case it'll be 174 mph.

Audi RS3 Sportback
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Carbon ceramic brakes are optional.

Audi RS3 Sportback
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It's 1.0 inch lower and 0.8 inches wider than the standard Audi A3 Sportback.

Audi RS3 Sportback
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Order books for the RS3 Sportback open in April.

Audi RS3 Sportback
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It will run you €54,600 ($58,064, directly converted), which is actually €1,300 ($1,382) less than the sedan.

Audi RS3 Sportback
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Interior
Audi RS3 Sportback
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Cockpit
Audi RS3 Sportback
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Interior
Audi RS3 Sportback
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Static photo, Colour: Ara Blue

Audi RS3 Sportback
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Static photo, Colour: Ara Blue

Audi RS3 Sportback
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Static photo, Colour: Ara Blue

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