AUDI RS3 PERFORMANCE EDITION

Potent hot hatch gets a go-faster boost, butit won't be onsale in the UK

- PIERS WARD

The one thing the Audi RS3 didn't need was a Performance Edition, with a 0-62mph time of just 3.8sec. Nevertheless, here we are, just a year on from the launch of the standard car, with a limited-edition run of 300 that ups the RS3's ante. This version won't go on sale here - the current two-year wait for a regular RS3 means Audi UK has declined to take it.

Engine power from the five cylinder turbo is up by 7bhp for the Performance Edition, while the torque remains the same but is spread over a further 100rpm. Top speed increases by 6mph but the 0-62mph time stays at 3.8sec. All of this is achieved with slightly higher boost pressure, and it's reined in by standard carbon-ceramic brakes (an option on the normal car).