Audi RS3 Coming to Paris Auto Show?

Audi has found itself competing head-to-head with BMW recently. The two have fostered the rivalry (with Audi as the aggressor) in advertising.

Remember the billboard war in Santa Monica, California and its continuation in Hong Kong? (video ads also featured in previous link).

BMW is readying launch of its 1-Series M, which after much speculation, is making an arrival in the first-generation of the 1-Series. Could Audi be readying a competitor in the form of the RS3?

The news isn't coming from a verified source - but rather a tip sent into website GermanCarBlogfrom one of its readers in the United Kingdom. Curiously, the tipster claims to have pre-ordered the vehicle - which seems a bit odd.

However, the information is surprisingly specific. A debut at the Paris Auto Show in 5-door hatchback version only, a 7-speed S-trinic gearbox, and the same 5-cylinder engine as the TT RS, likely with a small bump in horsepower. Weight would be saved by the use of aluminium panels, suspension components and lightweight interior seats.

Also, the car would get a proposed production run of 2,700 units. No word on whether or not the United States would get an allotment in the production run.

While we aren't certain the validity of the tipster, the prospect of an RS3 seems likely as Audi has greenlighted other performance projects. GermanCarBlog says to expect a price between £38,000 -£40,000 (around $60K to 62K USD at current exchange rates - ouch!) Is the rumor true or not? We'll find out soon enough at the Paris Auto Show.