The annual meeting always throws up some spectacular concepts for hard-core Volkswagen/Audi fans and this year appears to be no different with the Audi A3 Clubsport Quattro Concept being the first to break cover.
The concept car is based on the Audi S3 Sedan, except instead of the regular four-cylinder turbo engine; it has been shoehorned with the direct-injection 2.5-litre five-cylinder TFSI from Audi’s RS range.
Modifications like an enlarged turbocharger that’s been turned up to 1.5-bar of boost and a modified intercooler mean the engine is now producing 386kW and 600Nm of torque and that equates to 155kW per litre of specific output.
The A3 Clubsport Concept weighs a smidge over 1500kg and Audi say it’ll blast to 100kph in 3.6 seconds before maxing out at 310kph. The lighter kerb weight is made possible because of a bonnet made from carbonfibre plastic, which combines with lightweight flexible modular transverse matrix, or MQB platform, upon which it’s based.
The MQB platform was designed from the vey start with a low centre of gravity and finely balanced distribution of axle loads in mind for dynamic handling.
Compared to the production Audi S3 Sedan, the Clubsport has been lowered 10mm and rolls on 21-inch wheels with size 275-wide tyres. The internally vented brake discs are made from carbonfibre-ceramic, making them abrasion and fade resistant.
There’s even an electronically actuated air brake on the rear boot spoiler that flips into a vertical position for added stopping force. Audi say at 250kph the air brake reduces the stopping distance by around 12m.
Drive-wise, the A3 Clubsport features a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch and Quattro all-wheel drive. The all-wheel drive system uses a hydraulically activated, multi-plate clutch on the rear axle specially designed for the high torque five-cylinder engine.
The ESC, which can be partly or fully deactivated, and torque vectoring helps maintain cornering speeds with quick applications of the brakes on the inside wheels.
Let’s hope this concept is the beginning of a brilliant five-cylinder Audi RS3 Sedan.