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Tuning

ABT RS3 630

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The Audi RS3 has always been one of the most entertaining cars in the performance compact segment, combining everyday usability with the unmistakable character of Audi’s legendary 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine. But ABT Sportsline believes this icon deserves something far more exclusive — and significantly more powerful.

As part of its 130th anniversary celebrations, the German tuning specialist has revealed the second model in its three-part limited-edition series: the ABT RS3 630. Limited to just 30 examples worldwide, this heavily modified Audi Sport machine transforms the already impressive RS3 into a 630-horsepower tribute to one of the automotive world’s most charismatic engines.

Following the launch of the spectacular ABT Sportsline RS6-LE 800 based on the Audi RS6 Avant, the RS3 630 represents the smaller — but no less exciting — member of ABT’s anniversary trilogy.

More Power From Audi’s Five-Cylinder Legend

Under the hood remains Audi’s celebrated 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine, but ABT engineers have extracted a significant amount of additional performance through a combination of software calibration and hardware upgrades.

The result is a massive jump from the factory RS3’s already healthy 400 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque to an astonishing:

  • 630 horsepower
  • 700 Nm of torque

That represents an increase of 230 hp and 200 Nm, turning Audi’s compact performance hatchback into a machine capable of challenging cars from much higher segments.

The engine’s unique five-cylinder soundtrack remains the centerpiece of the experience. With its uneven firing order and distinctive growl, the 2.5 TFSI has become one of the most recognizable performance engines in modern automotive history — and ABT’s creation serves as a celebration of what may soon become a disappearing breed.

More Than 300 km/h in a Compact Audi

ABT has not officially revealed the RS3 630’s 0–100 km/h acceleration time, although the standard Audi RS3 already completes the sprint in a rapid 3.8 seconds.

Instead, the company highlights the car’s extraordinary top speed capability: the ABT RS3 630 can exceed 300 km/h, placing it in territory normally reserved for much larger sports cars.

The additional performance can be activated or adjusted through the myABT smartphone application, allowing owners to control the upgraded engine calibration directly through the vehicle’s infotainment system.

A More Aggressive Look With Track-Inspired Hardware

The RS3 630 is not simply a software upgrade. ABT has redesigned the car’s appearance and chassis to match its increased performance.

The special edition rides on 20-inch ABT High Performance HR20 wheels finished in gold, wrapped in performance tires measuring 245/30 R20. The combination gives the compact Audi a much more aggressive stance while improving grip and handling capability.

Aerodynamic upgrades include several carbon-fiber exterior components, designed not only to enhance the visual appeal but also to improve stability at higher speeds.

To handle the additional power, ABT equips the RS3 with a specially tuned suspension system featuring adjustable settings and modified stabilizers on both axles. The result should be a sharper, more controlled driving experience while maintaining the RS3’s everyday usability.

A Collector’s Edition With a Farewell Message

Inside, every ABT RS3 630 receives the expected anniversary treatment, including a special “1 of 30” plaque that confirms its exclusivity.

The price for this limited-production performance compact starts at €67,500, excluding the cost of the donor Audi RS3 itself. That means the final price will place the ABT creation well above the standard model, but collectors are unlikely to view it as just another modified hatchback.

According to ABT CEO Hans-Jürgen Abt, the RS3 630 is more than a celebration of the company’s 130-year history. It is also a farewell tribute to Audi’s iconic five-cylinder engine, a powerplant whose future in Europe is becoming increasingly uncertain as manufacturers move toward electrification and stricter emissions regulations.

The End of an Era

The Audi five-cylinder has survived decades of automotive change, from rally legends to modern performance cars. The RS3 has arguably become its final and most refined expression.

With 630 horsepower, a production run of only 30 units, and a mission to preserve the character of an engine that may soon disappear, the ABT RS3 630 is not just a tuned Audi.

It is a rolling farewell letter to one of the most distinctive engines of the modern era — a compact performance car built for enthusiasts who still believe character matters as much as numbers.

Source: ABT Sportsline

News

2027 Audi A3 Arrives with a New Cockpit, AI-Assisted Driving, and More Tech

The Audi A3 has long been the gateway into the brand’s premium lineup, offering just enough luxury, technology, and driving enjoyment to justify its four-ring badge. Now Audi is giving its compact bestseller a substantial update, and while the sheetmetal remains familiar, the biggest changes happen where drivers will notice them most: inside the cabin and behind the scenes.

The refreshed A3 range arrives with a completely redesigned cockpit, a major expansion of driver-assistance technology, and an even broader lineup that stretches from efficient gasoline and diesel models to plug-in hybrids and the performance-focused S3 and RS 3.

A Bigger Digital Experience

Step inside the updated A3 and it’s immediately obvious that Audi wants its smallest model to feel like a scaled-down A6 rather than an entry-level luxury car.

A new curved display dominates the dashboard, combining an 11.9-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit with a 12.8-inch panoramic MMI touchscreen into a single, driver-focused interface. The dashboard itself has been simplified with a wider decorative trim panel that stretches across the cabin, creating a cleaner and more horizontal design.

Material choices have also expanded, with carbon fiber, Dinamica microfiber, and two textile finishes joining the available options, while the center console receives a thoughtful redesign. The wireless charging pad now faces the driver and delivers up to 25 watts of charging power, eliminating one of the small frustrations of everyday use.

Even the steering wheel gets attention. Physical scroll wheels are integrated into the multifunction controls, and buyers can choose between three different designs, including a sporty flat-top-and-bottom wheel reserved for S line and S models.

Audi Wants the A3 to Do More of the Driving

The biggest story, however, isn’t the dashboard—it’s what happens once the car starts moving.

Audi has significantly expanded the A3’s driver-assistance systems with a new three-tier structure called Tech, Tech Plus, and Tech Pro. At the heart of the package is Adaptive Cruise Assist Plus, which combines adaptive cruise control with active lane centering at speeds up to 130 mph (210 km/h).

On highways, the system can assist with steering and speed control while monitoring lane markings, roadside objects, and surrounding traffic. Signal a lane change, and the car can execute the maneuver on its own.

Even more impressive is a new traffic-light function. If the A3 slows for a red light without coming to a complete stop, it can automatically continue driving once the light turns green, making stop-and-go traffic a little less tedious.

Audi has also begun incorporating traffic-flow data into its assistance systems, allowing the car to adapt its speed to surrounding traffic and maintain lane positioning even when road markings aren’t clearly visible.

Parking Is Becoming a One-Button Operation

If parking has always been your least favorite part of driving, the new A3 might have the answer.

Four wide-angle cameras create a 360-degree view that can be displayed in an interactive 3D format on the central touchscreen. Drivers can zoom, rotate, and view the vehicle from virtually any angle, complete with guide lines that simplify tight maneuvers.

Park Assist Plus takes things further by automatically steering, accelerating, braking, and shifting into parking spaces.

Park Assist Pro goes one step beyond that.

Using the myAudi smartphone app, drivers can step out of the car before the maneuver begins and let the A3 park itself remotely—a feature that should prove especially useful in narrow garages and cramped urban parking spaces.

Audi has also introduced a “learned parking” function that memorizes frequently used parking maneuvers. Teach the system how to navigate a difficult garage entrance once, and it can repeat the process automatically in the future. Up to five individual parking routines can be stored, each with its own custom name.

A Connected Compact Luxury Car

The digital upgrades continue outside the vehicle.

The myAudi app now provides a comprehensive overview of vehicle status, including location, fuel level, remaining range, tire pressure, oil level, service intervals, and whether any windows or doors have been left open. Owners can also remotely lock or unlock the vehicle and control auxiliary heating functions.

Audi is also expanding its on-demand features with an upgraded audio package that improves bass response, balances volume between sources, enhances compressed music files, and adds virtual surround sound profiles that simulate everything from a recording studio to a concert hall.

More Choices Than Ever

Audi’s compact lineup continues to cover nearly every corner of the market.

Traditional buyers can choose between the familiar Sportback hatchback and Sedan, while the A3 Allstreet adds crossover-inspired styling, three centimeters of additional ground clearance, and a higher seating position for those wanting a more adventurous look.

Gasoline and diesel engines remain available with 116 and 150 horsepower, while the A3 e-hybrid plug-in hybrid comes in 204-hp and 272-hp configurations.

Its electric driving range now reaches up to 143 kilometers on the WLTP cycle, and DC fast charging allows a full recharge in approximately 30 minutes. Audi has also increased towing capacity to 1,700 kilograms, making the plug-in hybrid considerably more versatile than before.

S3 and RS 3 Keep the Enthusiast Spirit Alive

Performance enthusiasts haven’t been forgotten.

The S3 and RS 3 retain quattro all-wheel drive and Audi’s torque splitter, which actively distributes power between the rear wheels to improve agility and cornering performance.

The S3 produces 333 horsepower, while both models receive exclusive styling cues, including unique Singleframe grille detailing and customizable Matrix LED daytime running light signatures. Drivers can now select from four different lighting designs directly through the MMI system, giving the cars a personalized appearance even before they start moving.

The latest Audi A3 update isn’t about reinventing the compact luxury formula—it’s about making one of the segment’s most complete offerings feel considerably more sophisticated.

The redesigned interior brings flagship-level technology to Audi’s smallest model, while the expanded driver-assistance systems push everyday usability into territory once reserved for much larger and more expensive vehicles. Add an unusually broad lineup that includes hatchback, sedan, crossover, plug-in hybrid, and genuine performance models, and the refreshed A3 remains one of the most versatile premium compact cars on the market.

The updated A3 family arrives in European showrooms from mid-September 2026, with prices starting at €31,850 for the A3 Sportback, €45,350 for the A3 Sportback e-hybrid, €57,200 for the S3, and €68,500 for the RS 3.

Source: Audi

NEW CARS

2027 Audi A6 Allroad Quattro Brings RS6 Attitude, Hybrid Power, and SUV-Shaming Capability

For years, the Audi A6 Allroad occupied a curious niche—a wagon for buyers who wanted SUV capability without the visual bulk or driving compromises that often come with it. Now Audi has doubled down on that formula. The all-new 2026 A6 Allroad Quattro arrives with a dramatically wider stance, RS6-inspired bodywork, and, for the first time, a plug-in hybrid powertrain that promises nearly 60 miles of electric driving.

In a market obsessed with crossovers, Audi’s latest Allroad feels like a statement: maybe you don’t need an SUV after all.

RS6 Looks Without the RS6 Price Tag

The biggest visual change is impossible to miss. Audi has given the new Allroad the kind of muscular wide-body treatment that was once reserved exclusively for the fire-breathing RS6. The result is a wagon that looks considerably more planted and purposeful than the standard A6 Avant.

The widened fenders are paired with Allroad-specific rugged touches rather than outright performance cues. Up front, a honeycomb grille and gloss-black trim surround the air intakes, while discreet protective cladding runs along the lower body. At the rear, a diffuser-style bumper treatment and faux air outlets reinforce the tougher aesthetic.

For buyers who prefer elegance over contrast-heavy styling, Audi will also offer many of these exterior elements in matte silver chrome, accompanied by aluminum roof rails and bright-finished exhaust outlets.

The numbers tell the story. At 78.2 inches wide, the new Allroad is a substantial 4.4 inches wider than the standard A6 Avant and 3.3 inches broader than its predecessor. It looks every bit as substantial as many midsize luxury SUVs while sitting much lower to the ground.

More Than a Lifted Wagon

Audi is eager to emphasize that the Allroad isn’t simply an A6 Avant with taller springs. Beneath the bodywork sits a comprehensively reworked chassis designed specifically for the model’s dual-purpose mission.

Ride height starts 1.3 inches higher than a standard A6 Avant, and the available adaptive air suspension can vary ride height by up to 2.2 inches depending on conditions. Select Offroad mode and the suspension raises itself an additional 0.6 inch. Engage Lift mode, and it climbs another 0.8 inch to help clear rough terrain.

The system is equally concerned with on-road performance. Dynamic mode drops the body by 0.8 inch to improve stability and sharpen responses, while at speeds above 75 mph the car automatically lowers itself to reduce aerodynamic drag and improve efficiency.

Audi has also equipped the new Allroad with all-wheel steering. At low speeds, the rear wheels turn opposite the fronts by as much as five degrees, effectively shortening the wheelbase and reducing the turning circle by nearly three feet. At highway speeds, the rear wheels steer in the same direction as the fronts for improved stability and smoother lane changes.

In theory, that should make the large wagon feel noticeably smaller around town while remaining composed during long-distance cruising.

Plug-In Hybrid Joins the Family

The biggest mechanical news sits under the hood.

For the first time in the Allroad’s history, Audi is offering a plug-in hybrid variant. The new e-hybrid combines a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor for a total system output of 367 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque.

Power is supplied by a substantial 25.9-kWh battery pack, which Audi says can deliver up to 95 kilometers (59 miles) of electric-only range under the WLTP test cycle. Charging is relatively painless as well, with an 11-kW onboard charger capable of replenishing the battery in roughly two and a half hours.

Traditionalists—and frequent long-distance drivers—can still opt for Audi’s familiar 3.0-liter V-6 turbodiesel. Equipped with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, the diesel produces 299 horsepower and 428 pound-feet of torque, while the electrical system can contribute an additional 24 horsepower when needed.

Both powertrains send power through Audi’s standard Quattro all-wheel-drive system and both reach a governed top speed of 155 mph.

The diesel remains the performance champion, sprinting from zero to 62 mph in 5.4 seconds, narrowly edging the plug-in hybrid. It’s also the more capable tow vehicle, rated to pull up to 5500 pounds compared with the hybrid’s 4400-pound limit.

A Rolling Technology Showcase

Inside, the A6 Allroad adopts the same digital-heavy cabin introduced in the latest A6 sedan and Avant.

A curved dashboard houses an 11.9-inch digital instrument cluster alongside a 14.5-inch central touchscreen, while buyers can add a dedicated 10.9-inch display for the front passenger.

The technology extends beyond the cabin. Audi’s Digital Matrix LED headlights can project lane guidance and hazard warnings directly onto the road ahead, including alerts for slippery conditions. At the rear, second-generation OLED taillights can display warning graphics to following drivers.

Luxury buyers will find little missing from the options list. Four-zone climate control, acoustic side glass, a panoramic roof with variable shading, ventilated and massaging seats, and a sophisticated air-quality package are all available. Sustainable materials also play a larger role, including recycled-fiber trim options and linen-inspired interior surfaces.

Still a Wagon at Heart

Despite all the technology and electrification, practicality remains central to the Allroad formula.

The diesel version offers between 466 and 1,497 liters of cargo capacity, while the plug-in hybrid sacrifices some luggage room to accommodate its battery pack, providing between 404 and 1,423 liters.

Those figures still comfortably eclipse many luxury sedans and remain competitive with midsize premium SUVs.

That’s ultimately the appeal of the A6 Allroad. It delivers SUV-like versatility, genuine all-weather capability, and a commanding driving position without abandoning the dynamics, efficiency, and visual elegance that make wagons so appealing.

The Wagon Strikes Back

Audi’s timing couldn’t be more interesting. While much of the industry continues to chase crossover sales, the new A6 Allroad feels like a reminder that wagons remain one of the smartest automotive solutions ever created.

With RS6-inspired styling, sophisticated air suspension, available electrification, and enough cargo space to rival many SUVs, the latest Allroad may be the strongest argument yet against buying a crossover.

Orders open across Europe on June 18, with deliveries scheduled to begin this fall. Pricing in Germany starts at €77,250 for the V-6 TDI and €80,250 for the new plug-in hybrid.

And for buyers who still believe the perfect family vehicle should be low, long, and capable of tackling a mountain road on the way to a ski resort, Audi has built exactly that.

Source: Audi