Flytoyz

Audi continues its diesel charge with a smaller torque monster.

BY JON YANCA
May 2008

During the 2008 North American International Auto Show, Audi got our mouths watering with its R8 V-12 TDI concept, which boasted a pavement-shredding 500 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque and was intended to showcase the performance possibilities of oil-burners. We are pleased to see the Bavarian automaker shows no intention of slowing its diesel campaign with the A3 Clubsport Quattro concept as its latest tease.

As with the R8 V-12 TDI, you can’t miss the wild front fascia sporting the signature Audi wide-mouth grille and two massive, child-sized air intakes below the bixenon headlights with LED daytime running lights. Complementing the aggressive nose are bolt-on fender flares arching over 10-spoke, 20-inch wheels wrapped in 265/30ZR-20 tires.

The doors have flared sills, blending the front and rear wheel arches nicely. The rear hatch sports a spoiler atop the rear glass and a dark grey lower diffuser complete with dual softball-shooter exhaust pipes. The large number “8” on each door references the year 2008, while the red and white color choice pays homage to the Austrian national flag, the country where the car is to be unveiled at the end of the month.

Taking the A3 three-door hatchback (not sold in the U.S.) and adding a bulging body kit reminiscent of the one found on the Subaru WRX STI is just the beginning. Under the hood rests a 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine pumping out 224 horsepower and a staggering 332 lb-ft of torque. It is coupled to a six-speed manual transmission and Quattro all-wheel drive, giving this 3252-pound hatch the ability to leap from 0-to-62 mph in 6.6 seconds.

With the European-exclusive Audi S3 reaching 62 mph in just 5.7 seconds, the A3 Clubsport could seem a bit sluggish, but seeing as it clocks in at almost a full second faster to 62 than the production Audi TT 2.0 TDI Quattro—which is powered by a version of the same engine—the Clubsport proves it is no slouch. Bringing the car to a halt from the 149-mph top speed are six-piston calipers over 14-inch ceramic rotors up front and standard A3 production discs in the rear.

An overall body drop of 1.4 inches and 20-inch wheels promise a stiff ride; ride and handling are managed though Audi’s magnetically adjustable shocks, which enable the suspension to adjust in fractions of a second. In conjunction with the magnetic suspension, the A3 Clubsport aims to enhance the drive through a dynamic system that varies things like throttle response, exhaust sound, the level of power-steering assist, and the thresholds for the electronic stability control.

The racing theme of the exterior is not lost when stepping inside the cabin. From track-styled seats to the aluminum, open-gated shifter and toggle switches in the center console, this concept clearly states its racy intent.

At this point Audi has no official plans for producing the A3 Clubsport, but like many concepts of today, there is always a purpose. With this 2.0 TDI already in production don’t be surprised if you see Clubsport cues come alive in future Audis.”

such a sexy car, some hatchbacks just as nasty as can be, but this one right here is serious! I only hope the S3 makes its way across the pond!

Well that about wraps it up for today, I hope that you will come back to us for the best on whats in the world today! I Am VizX, and you are now IN THE KNOW!! I’ll see you thursday in The Mod Shop!