The Audi RS 3 has been updated with exterior enhancements and a more refined interior. Available in both Sportback and Sedan body styles, this renowned little Audi combines blistering performance with everyday usability.
At the front, the wide, flat hexagonal single frame grille features an aggressive rhombus pattern, flanked by vertical black blades and three apertures inspired by the iconic Audi Sport quattro S1 Pikes Peak from 1987. Newly designed darkened Matrix LED headlights with distinctive digital daytime running lights and a unique chequered signature pay homage to Audi’s rich motorsport heritage, while a redesigned front facia combined with a new rear bumper with integrated diffuser bolsters the exterior appearance of the power-packed compact vehicle from Audi Sport. Red brake callipers, RS sports exhaust, privacy glass, and high-gloss black styling elements are also included as standard.
This RS 3 Sportback TFSI quattro is finished in the optional ($11,400) Daytona grey matte effect paint, which has been made available for the first time on the RS 3. Additionally, this RS3 also has the new wheel design in 10-cross spoke design option ($1,400), taking inspiration from Audi’s motorsport heritage. Customers can further enhance their vehicle with two optional packages: the Carbon package, offering exterior enhancements in gloss carbon finish, and the RS design package plus, featuring interior accents in Express red or Micrommata green.
At the heart of the RS 3’s exceptional performance is a powerful 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder petrol engine with direct fuel injection, producing an impressive 294 kW between 5,600 and the 7,000rpm red line, and delivering 500 Nm of torque from 2,250 to 5,600rpm. The official combined fuel consumption is 9.3–9.5L/100 km and for my week with the RS 3 I used 9.8L/100km.
Paired with Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system is a responsive 7-speed S tronic transmission that has ‘manual’ gear changes using the black anodised metal steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. In the sportier drive modes, there’s a nice engine blip on the downshifts as well. The new RS 3 achieves exhilarating acceleration from 0-100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds, with a top speed electronically limited to 250 km/h. After a slight hesitation from the turbo lag, the RS 3 really gets up and goes when you put your foot down and there’s plenty of grip on offer even in the wet.
Central to the RS 3’s handling prowess is the advanced RS torque splitter, an electronically controlled multi-disc clutch system positioned at the rear axle. This innovative technology variably distributes torque between the rear wheels, significantly reducing understeer and enhancing agility when cornering. By precisely controlling power delivery, the RS torque splitter allows for sharper turn-in, greater stability mid-corner, and faster acceleration out of corners, elevating the RS 3’s performance credentials to new heights.
In the RS Individual drive mode, you can adjust the torque splitter, along with the drive system, suspension and steering, engine sound and have the ESC either On or set as Dynamic. The RS Performance mode allows you to only adjust the suspension, steering and turn ESC On or to Dynamic. The other standard drive modes available are Efficiency, Comfort, Auto, and Dynamic.
For the first time in RS 3, a new flat-top and bottom RS Sport leather multifunction steering wheel with satellite buttons provides intuitive control of driving modes, including RS Performance modes. The two red quick access buttons on the steering wheel for the mode selection are designated with a chequered flag that switches between Dynamic or RS Performance mode or the RS button switches between RS Individual or Dynamic. The Audi virtual cockpit plus incorporates a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster with RS-specific display options or you can also configure the information displayed. While the colour head-up display shows speed, navigation and other assistance information.
Other highlights on the interior of the RS 3 include newly designed sport seats in fine Nappa leather upholstery with honeycomb stitching and RS embossing that give the cabin a pleasant aroma. The heated front seats have powered adjustment for recline, forward/back, seat height/tilt front and rear, four-way lumbar support and manual front leg extension, with the driver’s seat having two memory positions. The front seats also have a basic massage function with wave, knead, and stretch styles to choose from and control for the massage intensity.
The RS 3 has keyless entry on all four doors and keyless start, so the key fob can remain in your handbag at all times. The cabin’s premium ambience is further enhanced by colour ambient lighting package pro, featuring hundreds of back-lit, laser-cut rhombus shapes in the door panels, and carbon atlas inlays framed in fine volcano grey paint. Unfortunately, there’s still gloss black plastic on the centre console and this has now extended to the steering wheel as well. I also don’t like flat rings on the steering wheel as I think they look cheap.
Advanced infotainment features include a 10.1-inch touchscreen, but refreshingly Audi has retained physical buttons for the dual zone climate control. The voice control worked well for making phone calls and setting a destination on the sat nav, and for changing the radio station once I worked out what command I had to use. The RS 3 also comes with SONOS 3D premium sound system with surround sound reproduction via 15 high-performance loudspeakers including subwoofer and 16-channel amplifier with a total output of 680 watts.
Wireless smartphone connectivity comes as standard and my phone connected quickly and easily to the wireless Android Auto. There’s a deep wireless phone charger cubby at the front of the centre console with two USB-C ports here and one 12V socket next to the cup holders and for larger drink bottles there are good sized drink bottle storage cubbies in the front doors.
The rear seats have adequate head and leg room me, but taller individuals may find it tight and I found that the seats lacked under thigh support. For young children there are two ISOFix/three rear tether child seat restraint points, but there would only be enough room for two car seats due to the width. When not in use the centre seat can be folded down as an arm rest with two shallow cup holders in it that have grippy sides and there are good sized drink bottle storage cubbies in rear doors. Rear passengers get two individual rear air vents with direction control, basic analogue temperature control under air vents and two USB-C ports below that.
The powered boot lid can be opened only from the key fob and button in the cabin or opened/closed from the button on the boot lid. The boot fitted my weekly shop or would fit a pram and a small shop. The boot space has four substantial tie down points, a cargo net, two hooks, two lights, one 12V socket and a tyre repair kit under the boot floor. If more space is needed the centre seat can be folded down separately or the rear seats have a 40:60 split fold mechanism with a release on the seat shoulders, but the seats do not lie completely flat.
The Audi RS 3 Sportback TFSI quattro comes with front airbags for driver and passenger, side airbags for front seats, centre airbag, head level curtain airbag for front and rear, but is unrated by ANCAP. Driver safety aides include Audi pre-sense front with Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and pedestrian and cyclist detection, Active front assist – front emergency brake assist, swerve assist, front turn assist and intersection assist, Adaptive cruise assist with emergency assist and controls still on the stalk behind the steering wheel. Plus, side assist blind spot warning system, exit warning, rear cross-traffic assist, and Speed sign recognition. The 360-degree cameras utilise four cameras cover the entire area immediately around the vehicle, providing a range of different views for even easier manoeuvring and are paired with front and rear parking sensors. For convenience you also get auto lights, with auto high beam and auto wipers.
The Audi RS 3 comes with a peace-of-mind five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty and twelve years manufacturing warranty for bodywork against corrosion perforation for new vehicles. Audi owners also receive a complementary membership during their warranty period to Audi Experience, Audi Australia’s bespoke loyalty program that offers access to exclusive national events, intimate Audi Ambassador experiences and premium partner offers.
Five-year service plans are available for both models ($4,010) and customers also can purchase Audi Advantage ($4,260), an Audi-exclusive program that allows owners to purchase two-year packages to extend their servicing, warranty, and roadside assistance. New vehicle customers can purchase two-year programs back-to-back at the time of purchase, or at a later date up to 8 years old, to extend the current manufacturer warranty beyond the current 5-year period. This allows new vehicle owners the security of a full factory warranty for up to 9 years, which is transferable to future owners of their vehicle.
Pricing for the Audi RS 3 Sportback TFSI quattro starts at $104,800 plus dealer delivery and on-road costs and as tested this RS 3 was $117,600 plus dealer delivery and on-road costs. You can build your Audi RS 3 Sportback online or visit your preferred Audi dealer for more information.
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| Pros | Cons |
| The characterful powertrain | There is a slight amount of turbo lag |
| The updated cabin design | Gloss black plastic on centre console and steering wheel |
| Physical buttons for climate controls | Open only for the boot from the key fob and button in cabin |
Photographs by Driven Women Magazine.