We dive a little deeper into the RS3 and try to pick out the best feature Audi has given this super-boiling hot hatch.
Right, let's set the record straight. The Audi RS3, especially in sedan form, can no longer be considered the "hot hatchback" that it has been classified as for the previous generations. Now in its 3rd generation, Audi has managed to shape it into an all-out sports car, ready to give the M3s and Caymans of this world a serious run for their money.
Without a shadow of a doubt, the RS3 sedan has now filled the gap left behind by the Audi RS4, now only available in Avant (wagon) form. The RS3 is a staple in the Audi lineup, and the sedan shape has returned for a second generation with the latest model. It certainly caused a stir when it was announced and the reception from paying customers has been nothing short of interesting since most cars have started undergoing daily use.
Styling has never been too wild for the RS models, and Audi has packaged the RS3 no different, with an overall subtle design that packs a big punch. So join me, as we dive a little deeper into the RS3 and try to pick out the best feature Audi has given this super-boiling hot hatch.
Related: Here's What We Love About The 2022 Audi RS3
This is the headline news for the new RS3. Its impressive 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo engine is a weird layout, but it works perfectly in its packaging. It happily produces the same 400hp as the previous RS3 model, but torque has been increased slightly by 15 lb-ft of torque to 368 ft-lb as if this hyper-hot-hatchback needed it.
With this perky lump of an engine under the hood, officially the RS3 can sprint from 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds, but customers are seeing even better figures around 3.6 seconds. That’s supercar-fast from a (fairly) understated car. Should you option some clever mechanical upgrades, the RS3 is more nimble and entertaining out on your favorite twisty road than ever before, and on track, it’s even more of a scalpel-sharp driving weapon.
All this power goes through a 7-speed dual-clutch auto box that then sends all of that power to all four wheels using a revised Quattro system. Where once upon a time a 4-wheel drive sports car might be far overshadowed by its rear-driven counterparts, Audi has added something with the RS3 that means it holds some bias to the rear and can certainly hold its own on a racetrack or a twisty back road.
This new magic is the RS Torque Splitter system. This is fitted across the rear axle and allows the car to electronically send as much torque as it wants to either wheel. Essentially, when you’re turning right it’ll send more to the left wheel and vice versa. This in theory produces more grip and improves the car’s turn-in response, reducing understeer in the process, very clever.
The interior of the new Audi RS3 sedan isn’t a massive revolution from the current S3 model, but it does get some more suited race-style upgrades. These include a new flat-bottomed steering wheel with an RS badge just in case you forget. A round version is available but we think a flat-bottomed Alcantara trimmed one is the way to go. That combined with a new RS button to change driving modes easily will certainly make for a special drive. It's a luxurious place to play, but the focus is always on the driver, and it definitely feels that way when you're sitting in the cockpit.
You'll be sat on a set of RS sports seats, which can be optionally trimmed in Nappa leather if you like. If you opt for a design package car, these will come stitched in red or green complete with matching seat belts, dashboard trims, and floor mats.
The new RS3's cabin gets a 10-inch infotainment system as standard, complete with an RS Monitor mode which lets you track oil temperatures and tire pressures, obviously showing Audi's intent with this product. You’ll also benefit from a 12.3-inch digital driver’s display that shows you the 1/4 mile, 0-60mph times, and G-forces as well as the usual speedometer and rev-counter info.
Subdued aggressiveness. If that was whatever was on the design brief then Audi's RS department hit the nail on the head. Upfront, it gets a large but black honeycomb grille flanked by huge air intakes for a furious look. You get LED headlights as standard, but you can upgrade to Matrix LED units if you fancy. If so, your RS3 gets daytime running lights in the shape of the checked flag, with the one on the right showing RS3 lettering when you lock and unlock the car.
Flared wheel arches grace the body panels, a signature Audi RS model feature at this point. The side profile also has a functional air vent slotted behind the front wheel, real race car stuff. You’ll get 10-spoke, 19-inch alloys as standard though a five-spoke set is available optionally. At the back, you’ll spot a massive diffuser and a set of oval exhaust exits. Peep closer into those, and you’ll notice they actually house two smaller pipes, how disappointing.
So this is kind of tricky. It's an exceptionally well-rounded car, so to help make this decision I'll rattle off some things that really don't benefit the Audi RS3. The first is the price. The price! It starts at $60,000, but by the time you've ticked the right options, packs, and a nice paint job, you'll be looking at just shy of $80,000. This takes it into Porsche Cayman territory which is as we know, one of the best sports cars around. But put it to a BMW M3, a more comparable rival, and you're level pegging.
The best feature of the RS3 without a doubt, however, is its incredible capability to do everything. 4 doors, 5 seats, big luggage space, and plenty of performance. If you think of it as a replacement for the old RS4 sedan, then the RS3 is a whole load of car for the money. The second-hand market for them is hot right now, but when it cools, this is up there in contention for the best daily driver.
Pedro is a writer based between London and Mont Blanc, he specializes in German and Japanese cars and culture.