Audi RS3 (2012) gets extended production run

By Ollie Kew

Motor Industry

19 July 2012 11:13

Audi's RS3 hot hatch is back from the dead. The 335bhp quattro Sportback's initial production run was limited to 500 cars for right-hand drive, but pent up demand has convinced Audi to build another 250.   

You'll have to be quick though: the first batch sold out in just days after the car's Geneva motor show reveal, without ever officially going on sale. The second run will also cost £39,930.

All the numbers are the same as the first 500 cars'. That means standard quattro drive, a 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine good for 335bhp and 332lb ft, and a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission.

Audi claims the RS3 will hit 62mph in 4.6sec, with its top speed electronically castrated at 155mph. The offical economy figure is 31mpg, but CAR's long-termer rarely got close to that when we ran one earlier this year.

Carbon fibre panels and 19-inch alloy wheel rims (mercifully available in grey, as well as two-tone red/black) are the other main goodies setting the RS car apart from lesser A3s.

The German hot hatch class is a hotly contested area right now. BMW has released its 316bhp M135i, which as an RS3-rivalling five-door costs from £30,585 - nearly £10k less than the Audi. It's 19bhp down on the quattro, though.

Also on the horizon is Mercedes' hottest A-class: the A45 AMG. Set to feature a turbocharged 2.0-litre and all-wheel-drive, the auto-only AMG Mercedes will be the closest in spirit to the RS3, which should make for quite a hot hatch group test when Teutonic trio meet.

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Mazda to double SKYACTIV engine production starting in October

In brief: Mazda is planning to double SKYACTIV engine production to 800,000 in October as they add more efficiency to their model lines.

Mazda plans to increase fuel efficiency of its model fleet by 30% by 2015, globally. In the United States, the Mazda3 and 2013 CX-5 offer SKYACTIV technology and in 2014 the Mazda6 will also offer it.

Mazda says that when they meet their goal in 2015, the 30% better efficiency will translate to a 23% fuel consumption drop and the emissions cutting that goes with that.

In June of this year, more than 55% of Mazda's North American sales were in SKYACTIV vehicles and that number will only continue to grow as more and more are added to the lineup.

SKYACTIV is a rethink of the entire vehicle, starting with its framing, suspension/chassis, and drive train. SKYACTIV engines in both gasoline and diesel are integral to those improvements.

Photo credits: Mazda

This site follows the emergence, application and development of transportation innovation. Reference to manufacturers, makes and models, and other automotive-related businesses are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement by FutureCars.com.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Mazda to double SKYACTIV engine production starting in October

In brief: Mazda is planning to double SKYACTIV engine production to 800,000 in October as they add more efficiency to their model lines.

Mazda plans to increase fuel efficiency of its model fleet by 30% by 2015, globally. In the United States, the Mazda3 and 2013 CX-5 offer SKYACTIV technology and in 2014 the Mazda6 will also offer it.

Mazda says that when they meet their goal in 2015, the 30% better efficiency will translate to a 23% fuel consumption drop and the emissions cutting that goes with that.

In June of this year, more than 55% of Mazda's North American sales were in SKYACTIV vehicles and that number will only continue to grow as more and more are added to the lineup.

SKYACTIV is a rethink of the entire vehicle, starting with its framing, suspension/chassis, and drive train. SKYACTIV engines in both gasoline and diesel are integral to those improvements.

Photo credits: Mazda

This site follows the emergence, application and development of transportation innovation. Reference to manufacturers, makes and models, and other automotive-related businesses are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement by FutureCars.com.

View the original article here

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.