Audi RS3 & Q3 concept heading for Paris - report

Audi plans to make a big splash at the Paris Motor Show with the introduction of the Audi RS3 and the Audi Q3 concept.  The cars are also expected to join a near-production version of the Audi R4.

The news comes from a GermanCarBlog reader, Nicholas, who told the blog's editors in an e-mail that he has pre-ordered a RS3 in the UK.  His UK dealer told him that global production of the Audi RS3 will be held at just 2,700 units.

This seems a tad odd as the BMW 1M is also believed to be scheduled for a 2,700 unit run.  News of the 1M limited assembly was revealed last week.

Audi has not said what markets will have access to the Audi RS3.  The car is expected to get a version of the 340-horsepower (254-kW) 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbocharged engine from the Audi TT RS.  That engine is capable of delivering 332 ft-lb of torque.

Meanwhile, the Audi Q3 may not yet be ready for primetime, but we should get an idea of where the company is going with the model.  The crossover will likely get a choice of several efficient engines, with a few more powerful options, and should be offered with a dual-clutch S-tronic transmission.