Audi RS 3 will be the last of a special breed
Wednesday, 21 July 2021
This article was first published on MotoringNZ.com.
Knowing that it will be the last of its mighty mite breed to be fully reliant on fossil fuel will likely further leverage the special status of the new RS 3 arriving early next year.
That’s the view suggested by the brand’s national distributor, which says it expects the now almost 300kW car to achieve brisk business, despite being an obviously select choice.
New Zealand is the No.1 market in the world for Audi RS product on a per-head-of-capita basis, reminds Audi NZ general manager Dean Sheed.
**READ MORE:
* Audi unleashes new 294kW RS3
* Audi to end development of new combustion engines
* Could Audi kill the A1 to make room for an electric A2?
* Audi ready to capitalise on big 2020
**
“Kiwis (have) shown a great fondness for its useable, outstanding performance. The third-generation RS 3 Sportback will be our most accomplished version of this model – I’m sure Kiwi performance fans are looking forward to it.”
The fanbase has had to be patient, too, as the previous RS 3 departed the scene last year, with an engine shortage issue affecting supply.
This comment about a model whose local price – the previous was around $108,000 - and specification has yet to be divulged comes as the make’s domestic representative also locally launches some lesser versions from the same family, the A3 and S3.
Those editions are also set – like the RS 3 – to by decade’s-end to become electrified to some degree, either with a hybrid system or even in fully committed electric.
Exact plans are yet to be divulged – but Audi has made clear it is now wrapping up ongoing development of petrol and diesel powertrains in orthodox state and is also committed to driving with increasing battery-assistance.
The firm will launch its last combustion-engined car within four years and by 2032 will have built its very last. From here on out, we can expect most of its model introductions to be intensively electric-flavoured.