Audi do not intend to import the RS 3 2024 with us. At least not officially. However, on May 25, 2023, the website of Natural Resources Canada (RNC) displayed the fuel consumption ratings of the vehicle. Following the report of the information made by some media, the data was quickly removed from the site. What’s happening? Is the Audi RS 3 coming back in 2024?
Some assumptions
At the time of this writing, Audi Canada had still not answered our questions regarding this questionable data on the RNC site.
However, it was clearly indicated that the 2024 Audi RS 3 (see photo), powered by a 2.5-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder engine mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, showed fuel consumption 12.1 litres/100 kilometers in the city and 8.7 litres/100 kilometers on the highway, for a combined average of 10.3 litres/100 kilometers. The site even displayed CO emissions2 of the vehicle, or 241 grams per kilometer, as well as its annual energy costs of $3,502.
So what does that mean? Does Audi intend to import the vehicle to us? Perhaps, but this hypothesis is unlikely if we consider the costs associated with importing such a model against its potential profitability.
Recall that, in December 2021, Audi Canada had taken the decision to withdraw this model from our market “because it did not meet certain technical constraints”, we could read in an official press release at the time.
It could therefore be a vulgar error on the part of Natural Resources Canada, in the sense that its database could have displayed the data of the 2022 model. In fact, if one does a quick search on the RNC site, we note that no consumption data had been established for our market at the time.
In short, until we get an official statement from Audi Canada in this regard, it is impossible to understand this matter. We will update this article when the manufacturer has answered us.
Conclusion
Even if I would like, like you, to see the Audi RS 3 2024 be marketed here again, the chances of that happening are very slim. On the one hand, because the manufacturer already sells the RS 6 on our territory, but also because the next greenhouse gas (GHG) emission standards will be far too strict to add another equally polluting model to the market.
Remember that manufacturers must respect an average of GHG emissions for their complete range of vehicles. If they exceed this average, they expose themselves to serious fines. Since the RS 3 would be a very exclusive model sold at a high price, it would not necessarily pay enough to compensate for the financial losses linked to the carbon penalties.
However, the future may surprise us. Who knows, Audi Canada may have a nice surprise in store for us with the 2024 RS 3! To be continued!
