The third generation version of Audi's sledgehammer RS 3 is even more addictive in this updated form. Jonathan Crouch reports.

Ten Second Review

This improved version of Audi's devastatingly quick third generation RS 3 provides the entry point into the brand's formidable RS performance range and still features the most powerful production five-cylinder engine in Ingolstadt's history. With this update, there's even sharper cornering technology, smarter looks and a more sophisticated interior. The result is a compact performance car that once again claims class-leading status in its hyper shopping rocket segment.

Background

Did anyone ever imagine that one day, a model of this size would offer what would once have been seen as supercar-style power? In this third generation Audi RS 3, that's just what you get: four wheel drive, formidable pulling power and 400PS, plus a unique 'RS Torque Splitter' for enhanced cornering traction. The current model was first announced in 2021 and since this model line first arrived back in 2011,over 80,000 RS 3s have been sold. Today, it remains the most popular Audi Sport model and was even taken off sale in the UK in 2023 because demand was out-stripping supply. In Summer 2024 though, Audi UK announced that it was back, complete with a package of subtle updates, but otherwise much as before, offering a last swansong for the brand's classic signature five cylinder turbo engine (also shared with the RS Q3). That 2.5-litre five cylinder engine continues to really set this model apart in this segment. Like V8s for AMG or straight sixes in BMW M cars, a tuned five cylinder unit is part of the DNA of a division which was once called 'Quattro gmbh' but which is these days known as 'Audi Sport' - the Ingolstadt brand's performance arm. That of course was the configuration used for the classic Quattro coupe that first established Audi's engineering credentials back in the Eighties. And the brand returned to it when at the beginning of the century's second decade, the time came to expand its RS performance model line-up with the original RS 3 of 2012, replaced by a second generation model in 2015 and this MK3 version in mid-2021.

Driving Experience

Interestingly, as part of this light model update, Audi has chosen not to engage in a power race with the fastest hot hatch in the segment, the Mercedes-AMG A45 S 4MATIC+, which offers 427PS. So this RS 3's 2.5-litre five cylinder turbo unit continues to offer 400PS as before, which means it propels this hyper-hatch to 62mph in just 3.8s and with the optional 'Dynamic Pack' fitted, the top speed is 180mph. For reference, the A45's figures are 3.9s and 168mph. This Audi may well be faster through the turns too, thanks to the fitment of an 'RS Torque Splitter', which adds an electronically controlled multiple disc clutch to each of the drive shafts. This ensures that the right amount of torque is optimally distributed along the rear axle when cornering at speed. also as before is the standard RS sports suspension featuring bespoke shock absorbers and a valve system specific to the RS 3.  That's not to say engineering changes haven't been made as part of this update. Audi Sport has upgraded the chassis controls, making the car quicker and more stable through the corners. And the brake torque vectoring system's been further tuned, so understeer's reduced when entering a curve and more power can be used through the turn. Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R semi-slick tyres can now be optionally fitted for track day fiends. Otherwise, it's all as you were. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission puts the power of the five-cylinder engine to the road - with short shifting times and a sportier gear ratio spread. And the exhaust system features a fully variable flap control system that supports intermediate positions, thus broadening the sound characteristics even further. It can be adjusted via the driving dynamics system 'Audi drive select'. In the Dynamic and RS Performance modes, the flaps open much earlier - and as a result, the emotional elements of the sound are even more pronounced. In addition, the unmistakable sound of the five-cylinder engine is further enhanced by the RS sports exhaust system.

Design and Build

Exterior changes are subtle as part of this mid-term update. There's a redesigned splitter at the front; fresh front and rear LED chequered light signatures; redesigned side air intakes; and carbon detailing. Otherwise, things are just as before. You'd certainly still know this was an RS 3, whether in Sportback hatch or alternative Saloon form. In the front, the wide RS bumper, the big Singleframe grille with its distinctive honeycomb finishing, and the large air intakes give this compact sports car an expressive appearance. This Audi comes with flat, wedge-shaped LED headlights and an eye-catching additional air outlet decorates wheel arches housing 19-inch rims. The motorsports-inspired finishing touches include the redesigned RS-specific rear bumper with integrated diffuser and the RS exhaust system with two large oval tailpipes. Inside, the update differences are just as subtle; new RS bucket seats upholstered in Nappa leather; a redesigned flat-topped and flat-bottomed sports steering wheel (now with haptic buttons instead of the old physical controls); redesigned air vents; and a smaller gear selector. That RS Sport multi-functional steering wheel still features built-in, high-quality die-cast zinc shift paddles and through it, you view the previous version's same 12.3-inch 'Audi virtual cockpit plus' instrument screen. This displays the revs in the form of a bar graph and shows power and torque as percentages. In addition, the instrument screen includes displays for g-forces, lap times and acceleration from 0100 km/h, 0-200 km/h, quarter-mile, and eighth of a mile. The 10.1-inch touch display on the centre stack includes what is referred to as the 'RS Monitor', which displays the coolant, engine, and transmission oil temperatures as well as tyre pressures. Also fitted is a head-up display that projects relevant information onto the windscreen in the driver's direct line of sight in addition to the shift light indicator. Otherwise, it's just as in an S3. There's reasonable room for a couple of adults on the back seat. And as in an S3, boot space is rated at 370-litres for the saloon or 325-litres for the Sportback, the latter offering a seats-down total of 1,145-litres.

Market and Model

As usual with an RS 3, there are two body styles, the Sportback five-door hatch, priced at £59,510 and the Saloon, which for some reason costs £1,000 more. That's getting on for nearly £10,000 more than this car cost when it was taken off sale in 2023 by the way. Still, the rival Mercedes-AMG A 45 S 4MATIC+ costs much the same, for reference. Those Audi figures apply to the standard models. There are also pricier 'Carbon Black' and 'Carbon Vorsprung' specifications available. All versions get an RS sport exhaust, a Head-Up display, a SONOS 3D Premium Sound System, 19-inch wheels and Adaptive Cruise Assist. The 'Carbon Black' version adds '10-cross-spoke' silk matt grey alloy wheels, darkened Audi Matrix LED headlights and carbon exterior features. The top 'Carbon Vorsprung' model gets a black metallic wheel finish, a panoramic roof, powered front seats and Adaptive suspension with three additional pre-set RS modes - 'RS Individual', 'RS Performance' and 'RS Torque Rear'. Plus there's a 'Drive and Park pro and assist package' of extra drive assist features. All RS 3 models come with plenty of safety kit - Collision avoidance assist, Audi pre sense front, Lane departure warning including emergency assist, distraction and fatigue warning and traffic sign recognition.

Cost of Ownership

When it came to the engine of this car, Audi had two ways it could go. It would have certainly been easily possible to simply uprate the 2.0-litre TFSI turbo unit already used in the brand's S3 model, as partner brand Volkswagen did with the Golf R400 hot hatch that they developed but ultimately never put on sale. The alternative for Ingolstadt was to do what they ultimately did here: continue to install a far more charismatic but inevitably less efficient bespoke five cylinder engine that would make the driving experience of this RS 3 so much more memorable. So how much has that decision cost Audi when it comes to the all-important issues of fuel economy and CO2 efficiency? Well, despite a power output that was well into supercar territory not so very long ago, this Audi RS 3 turns in a very creditable performance at the pumps. Or it will as long as you don't spend most of your time with the loud pedal buried in the carpet. Don't expect its quoted running cost figures to differ very much from those of the previous RS 3 model, which was rated at around 35mpg on the combined cycle, with emissions of around 190g/km. As the previous hatch models have demonstrated, the RS 3's cachet will keep residual values sturdy in the short term at least but expensive options such as the carbon ceramic brakes will cause a softening in percentage values come resale time. Insurance isn't going to be cheap either with a Group 50 valuation resulting in some chunky-looking premiums.

Summary

What it boils down to is that with even more savage cornering ability and a practical side that will endear it to many, this improved version of the third generation RS 3 continues to represent an ideal alternative for well-heeled buyers who've outgrown powerful sports coupes and saloons or ordinary fast hot hatches. And it's amazing to think that this level of astonishing performance represents merely the entry point to RS ownership. And in summary? Well certainly, there are other compact high performance models in this segment that might make your heart beat a little faster: the RS 3 still trades the last couple of percentage points of focus for genuine everyday utility. But it's also true that while that might make it a couple of seconds slower around the Nurburgring, it also makes it a better car for the vast majority of customers. People who live in the real world. A very fast world indeed.

Body Glass

Light and rain sensors

Privacy glass - dark tinted rear window, rear door and side windows

Heat insulating glass windscreen

Front electric windows

Rear electric windows

Brakes

RS steel brakes

Electronic Stabilisation Control (ESC) including ABS, ASR and EDL

Hill hold assist

Carpets/Rugs

Black front and rear floor mats

Communication

Audi smartphone interface with app store includes wireless Apple carplay, Android auto and Amazon alexa integration

Bluetooth interface

Voice control system with natural language interaction

Driver Aids

Lane departure warning system

Park Assist with parking system Plus

Distraction and Fatigue warning

Audi drive select comfort, auto, dynamic and efficiency

Adjustable speed limiter

RS specific driving modes - RS Individual, RS Performance and RS Torque rear

Collision avoidance assistant

Camera based traffic sign recognition

Progressive steering

Driver Convenience

Automatic start/stop system with recuperation

Driver Information

Audi virtual cockpit plus with RS specific design and 12.3" display with additional graphic display options

MMI Navigation Plus with high resolution 10.1" colour touch screen display

e-Call (emergency call)

Driving Mirrors

Auto dimming frameless rear view mirror

Carbon door mirror housings

Electrically adjustable/heated/folding/dimming door mirrors with kerb view includes integrated LED indications + kerb view function for passenger side

Embellishment Trims

Inlays in carbon atlas structure

Black dashboard

Entertainment

USB ports with charging function in the rear

DAB Digital radio

Audi Phonebox light with wireless charging

Exterior Body Features

RS dual branch exhaust system with two chrome plated oval tailpipe trims

Rear side wing doors

Exterior model badging

Rear boot

Carbon fibre engine cover

Tailgate spoiler in carbon

Exterior Lights

Dipped beam, main beam, position light and turning light

Audi beam LED projection of RS logo on ground as you exit

LED reverse light

LED 3rd brake light

Intersection light

LED daytime running x3

All weather light

Audi darkened matrix LED headlights with dynamic light sequencing and dynamic indicator

Visually upgraded RS specific daytime running light choice of 4 digital signature in chequered flag design within the headlight

LED rear lights with dynamic light sequencing and dynamic indicator

Automatic dynamic range control

Dynamic RS specific light sequencing of the coming home and leaving home function

Manoeuvring light

LED tail lights

LED rear number plate lights

LED brake lights

Static Cornering lights

Motorway light

Headlight cleaning system

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

3-zone deluxe automatic air conditioning

Interior Features

Vanadium look - Interior door handles,Door trim,power latching,Air vents,window controls,mirror adjust,rear door lock,Selector lever in centre console

Black cloth headlining

Rear centre armrest with cupholder

Height and reach adjustable steering wheel

3 Spoke flat top and bottomed black leather multi function steering and gear shift paddles

Front door sill trims with RS 3 logo

Stainless steel pedals and front footrest in black

Front centre armrest

Manual boot compartment lid

12V socket and storage compartment in front centre console

Packs

Black Styling plus package - RS3

Extended ambient lighting package Pro with Multi-coloured contour lighting of instrument panel - RS3

RS exterior features pack in carbon and gloss black - RS3

Storage package - RS3 Saloon

RS sport suspension pack - RS3

Technology package without speed limiter - RS3

Safety

Pre-sense front with pedestrian and cyclist detection

Tyre pressure loss indicator

First aid kit with warning triangle and 2 safety vests

Seatbelt monitoring

Driver and front passenger airbag with passenger airbag deactivation

3x3 point rear seat belts

Seats

Seat side bolsters

3 seat bench in 2nd row

Front and rear headrests

Manually adjustable front seats

40/20/40 split folding rear seat bench

Heated front seats

Single front passenger seat

Front sports seats RS embossed logo

Security

Anti theft alarm

Immobiliser

Remote central locking with safelock

Electronically operated child locks

Anti-theft wheel bolts

Transmission

Quattro permanent four wheel drive

Wheels - Alloy

19" 10 cross spoke silk matt grey alloy wheels

Wheels - Spare

Tyre repair kit

Emissions - ICE

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 208

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 209

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 207

Engine and Drive Train

Camshaft: DOHC

Cylinders: 5

Gears: 7 SPEED

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Engine Layout: FRONT TRANSVERSE

Catalytic Convertor: No

Fuel Delivery: TURBO DIRECT INJECTION

Number of Valves: 20

Cylinder Layout: IN-LINE

CC: 2480

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 30.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 9.1

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb: 9.1

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 9.2

WLTP - MPG - Comb: 31

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 31

General

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: 38E

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Badge Power: 400

Badge Engine CC: 2.5

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 5

Coin Series: Carbon Black

Manufacturers Corrosion Perforation Guarantee - Years: 12

Manufacturers Paintwork Guarantee - Years: 3

Standard manufacturers warranty - Mileage: 60000

Standard manufacturers warranty - Years: 3

Coin Description: TFSI Quattro

Performance

Engine Power - RPM: 5600

Engine Power - KW: 294

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 369

Engine Power - BHP: 400

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Torque - MKG: 51

Engine Torque - NM: 500

Engine Torque - RPM: 2250

Top Speed: 155

0 to 62 mph (secs): 3.8

Test Cycles

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Tyre Size Front: 265/30 R19

Alloys?: No

Tyre Size Rear: 245/35 R19

Wheel Type: 19" ALLOY

Wheel Style: 10 CROSS SPOKE

Space Saver?: 0

Vehicle Dimensions

Height: 1412

Length: 4533

Width: N

Wheelbase: 2631

Height (including roof rails): N

Width (including mirrors): 1984

Weight and Capacities

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): N

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 55

Gross Vehicle Weight: 2055

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 321

No. of Seats: 5

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12

Max. Loading Weight: 490

Max. Towing Weight - Unbraked: N

Max. Towing Weight - Braked: N

Minimum Kerbweight: 1565

Brakes

RS Red brake callipers

RS ceramic brake system with brake calipers in blue

RS ceramic brake system with brake calipers in red

RS ceramic brake system with brake calipers in anthracite grey

Exterior Body Features

Pearlescent paint

Audi exclusive paint

Audi exclusive matt paint

Metallic paint

Special metallic paint

Panoramic roof

Interior Features

Dinamica microfibre/leather upholstery with honeycomb pattern and RS logo on the front seat backrests/ RS bucket seats

Paint - Metallic

Metallic - Mythos black

Metallic - Progressive red

Metallic - Python yellow

Metallic - Kemora grey

Paint - Pearlescent

Pearl - Daytona grey

Paint - Solid

Solid - Arkona white

Solid - Kyalami green

Paint - Special

Audi Exclusive Matt - Custom

Audi Exclusive - Custom

Special metallic - Ascari blue

Safety

Rear side airbags with head airbag system

Front side airbags with head airbags

Seats

ISOFIX Child seat anchors in front and i-size top tether for outer rear seats

Service/Warranty

Audi warranty cover includes two year unlimited mileage warranty and up to 90,000 miles in the third, fourth and fifth years

Audi warranty cover includes a two year unlimited mileage warranty and up to 75,000 miles in the third and fourth years

Trim - Leather

Fine nappa leather with honeycomb pattern - Black with contrast stitching in micrommata green + front sport seats

Fine nappa leather with honeycomb pattern - Black with contrast stitching in express red + front sport seats

Fine nappa leather with honeycomb pattern - Black with contrast stitching in black + front sport seats

Trim - Part Leather

Dinamica microfibre/leather - Black/Black stitch and honeycomb pattern and RS logo on the front seat backrests/RS bucket seats

Dinamica microfibre/leather - Black/Express Red stitch with honeycomb pattern and RS logo on the front seat backrests/RS bucket seats

Dinamica microfibre/leather - Black/Micrommata green stitch with honeycomb pattern and RS logo on the front seat backrests/RS bucket seats

Wheels - Spare

Tool kit and Jack