Audi RS3 production delayed, e-tron not expected until 2020

As the global effects of WLTP compliance come into play for manufacturers, some new and existing models have hit a snag, including the all-new Audi e-tron, for the Australian market.

Originally slated to launch in Australia during 2019, the e-tron now won't launch locally until 2020 as Audi works through a backlog of WLTP compliance across its range of vehicles.

The high-performance RS3 is suffering the same fate with production on hold until a WLTP compliant solution is in place.

Speaking to CarAdvice at a recent Audi event, Audi corporate communications manager, Shaun Cleary, said that Audi is working through WLTP at the moment and some smaller markets are seeing delays for some models.

"It's basically due to WLTP," Cleary said of the delays.

"We'd much rather have [the RS3] in market, because the RS3 is obviously a performance car market, and it's very popular. We don't have a confirmed month or date at the moment, but we're hoping for it to be back as soon as possible."

Cleary has downplayed the significance of the RS3 delay given Mercedes-Benz has unveiled the soon-to-be-launched AMG A35 hatchback and sedan and will soon take the wraps off the A45 variants, too.

This leaves a gap in the market that Audi should be filling with the RS3 but can't and with no indication of a resolution date. It's also unclear at this stage whether there will be any negative performance attributes when the WLTP-approved RS3 finally lands.

On the topic of e-tron demand and availability when it does launch, Cleary was confident in Audi's supply prospects for the new model.

"I think we will have a pretty good supply when it does arrive, and obviously it'll ramp up and increase over time. We think it's going to be quite strong, but there's a strong chance, given the level of interest we've already had, that it will be really popular and we'll have a priority system in place as well," said Cleary.

Audi's all-electric e-tron is expected to launch locally in 2020 with a range of around 400km and a price tag of around $140,000. It'll go head-to-head with the likes of the Mercedes-Benz EQC, the Jaguar I-Pace and Tesla Model X.

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