Audi updates its monster RS 3 hyper-hatch, netting a Nürburgring lap record in the process
The warble of the 2.5 is better, too
Audi’s mighty RS 3 high-performance hatchback – and there’s a four-door Saloon, too – has been given a midlife nip-and-tuck, to bring it into line with the rest of the A3 and S3 family.
Gaining subtly altered exterior looks, a few interior enhancements and, supposedly, a sharper chassis that makes the car quicker in the corners, the RS 3 remains among the pinnacle of its breed.
It is powered, once again, by the hugely charismatic 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, developing heady outputs of 395bhp and 369lb ft of torque (twisting force).
That’s enough to see the quattro-equipped all-wheel-drive RS 3 run the 0-62mph sprint in 3.8 seconds, before topping out at 180mph.
The lights fantastic
Visually, as with the A3 and S3 updates of recent months, it’s very minor work for the RS 3 this time around.
Both the Sportback (hatch) and Saloon gain a new flatter, broader “Singleframe” radiator grille, which in turn leads to different, more aggressive-looking outer air intakes in the front bumper.
There are three horizontal slats just above the front splitter, a direct nod back to the Audi Sport quattro S1 Pikes Peak from 1987, while the revised front-end look is mirrored at the back with vertical outer reflectors and a central red reflector in the diffuser.
Chequered-flag daytime running lamps (DRLs) at the front and arrow-graphic rear light clusters give the Audi a fresher appearance, while those opting for the Matrix LED headlights upgrade also gain three additional designs of DRL which they can pick and choose from via the MMI infotainment inside the car.
Sweet smell of success
Speaking of which, the interior sees discreet changes to the centre console area, as there’s a flatter shift-select switch in the RS 3 now, while a 12.3in Virtual Cockpit Plus digital cluster and a 10.1in display for the MMI give the Audi a high-tech feel.
The steering wheel has been flattened on the top, though, to match the previously level bottom and it looks a bit odd as a result. Still, buyers can choose to have this in either perforated leather or Dinamica microfibre, the latter coming with a coloured 12 o’clock marker for the maximum in sporty ambience.
Weirdly, Audi announced this RS 3 with the theme of it being a “feast for the senses”. Obviously, sight, sound and feel were dealt with by the appearance, engine note and handling/speed, accordingly, while taste was loosely covered off by the appeal of the whole package.
But the German company wanted to highlight the smell of the RS 3’s interior. Audi reckons that “one of the most subtle yet most immediate experiences when buying a car is the aroma that greets your nose when you open the doors of your new Audi for the first time – quality you cannot see but which is a constant companion”.
To that end, the leather for the upholstery and the polymers selected for various surface finishes have been chosen as much for their odour as for their look and feel.
Audi even goes to heating up all the interior components – about 200 of them – in a special chamber, with the air analysed afterwards to see what it smells like, and if it’s all nice in combination.
Fabulous five-pot: on borrowed time?
Anyway, leaving the aroma of the Audi behind, back on the outside the wheels are 19in Y-spoke items as standard, with a ten-cross-spoke design optionally available, while a carbon package will be offered for an additional fee and it drenches much of the RS 3’s exterior in the lightweight material for an eye-catching visual touch.
Body colours include Kyalami Green and Kemora Grey, with metallics Ascari Blue and Progressive Red new to the palette. For the first time ever in the RS 3’s history, Daytona Grey – a long-serving Audi RS shade and often popular with consumers – is available in a matte finish.
As already stated, the 2.5 five-pot continues under the bonnet of the RS 3 Sportback and Saloon models, and we should drink it in now while we still can because this sort of engine cannot continue in service indefinitely… more’s the pity.
The performance is, obviously, very strong, but it’s the noise which is crucial to the RS 3’s appeal. Five-cylinder engines have an off-key, soulful sound to them and the Audi is no exception, so perhaps it’s great news to hear that the company reckons the car’s exhaust note is “more voluminous and even more distinctive” than ever when the car is in Dynamic, RS Performance or RS Torque Rear drive modes.
This has been achieved thanks to a revision in the exhaust-flap control between 2,200-3,500rpm, but if that’s not enough for buyers then an optional RS Sports exhaust is available to bring even more sonic goodness to the rapid Audi.
However, it’ll rapidly empty your wallet, too. Official fuel economy is in the region of 29.7-31mpg, at the absolute best, while CO2 emissions of 207-217g/km won’t make it the most affordable for various taxes.
Obliterates the Green Hell
Dynamically, the RS 3 continues much as it did before, including its torque-vectoring rear axle that allows this four-wheel-drive machine to go into a “drift” mode where it will oversteer at will, in the hands of the right driving talent, naturally.
But Audi reckons it is quicker through the corners if you keep it all clean and hooked up, a fact evinced by Frank Stippler, an Audi Sport racing and development driver, managing to pilot one of these updated RS 3s around the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7:33.123 minutes.
That’s a new class record around the “Green Hell” for this type of car, slashing more than five seconds off the previous benchmark.
Audi has also had the standard tyres of the RS 3 tuned specifically for the car, although those wanting even more adhesion to the road can select Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R semi-slicks to really ramp up the grip levels.
For reference, the outgoing models are still on the company’s UK website, with the Sportback starting at £56,675 and the Saloon retailing for another grand on top of that.
Related articles
- If you found news on the new Audi RS 3 interesting, you may want to read our review of a prototype of the updated Audi S3
- You might also like to read our review of the BMW M3 Touring
- Have you seen the interior of the 2024 Audi Q6 e-tron?
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