Audi's RS3 mega hatch starts at £50,900 28 | 07 | 2021

    AUDI HAS, FINALLY, lifted the wraps and confirmed the full specification, details and prices of its all-new RS 3. It’s available in two body styles. The five-door Sportback, which will take the battle to the likes of the Mercdes-AMG A 45 S; and the four-door saloon. When the RS 3 goes on sale next month, prices will start at £50,900 for the Sportback, with the saloon starting at £51,900. First deliveries are scheduled for the end of the year. (Related: Audi unveils Q5 Sportback e PHEV)

    There’s no getting away from the fact Audi has given the new RS 3 its own personality: it has the widest grille I think I’ve ever seen on a car. The new single-frame grille comes complete with a honeycomb mesh for its large air intakes; these help cool the 395bhp 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged engine.

    Audi-RS3-2.jpg

    At each side of the grille sit standard-fit LED headlights. Of course, if you tick the comprehensive option sheet, you can upgrade to matrix LEDs which, cleverly, will depict a chequered flag on unlocking the car. (Related: Audi reveals 637bhp RS e-tron GT)

    There’s no denying the RS 3 — especially in hatchback form — makes a powerful statement, sitting squat on the road. The aggressive stance is accentuated by the car’s front wings, which feature large cut-out vents at the trailing edge of the panels. These help expel air from the engine bay.

    Audi-RS3-3.jpg

    Plus there are the bold, boxy flared wheel arches, synonymous with Audi’s RS models. These cover the car’s wider track width, which has been increased by 33mm over its predecessor on the front axle. (Related: Audi Q5 55 TFSI e gets all-electric range)

    The proud stance is further highlighted by the redesigned black side skirts. Oh, and of course there’s the new 19in alloys with a 10-spoke Y design. Again, tick the right box and you can opt for five-spoke Y-design alloys. 

    Audi-RS3-4.jpg

    View the RS 3 from the rear, and the styling is dominated by a deep bumper which houses a central diffuser element, in addition to the RS 3’s dual-exit sports exhaust. That exhaust also features a variable flap control linked to the car’s drive modes, so when you want it to be, it’ll be loud. (Related: Audi SQ2 hot SUV gets facelift)

    As always with a new top-end sporty model, the RS 3 introduces two exclusive colours, Kyalami Green and Kemora Grey. And if you can’t put the options sheet down, you might find yourself tempted to tick the boxes for carbonfibre on the side skirts, door mirror caps, plus the tailgate roof or boot lip spoiler on the hatchback and the saloon respectively.

    Audi-RS3-5.jpg

    Inside the cabin there are specific RS sports seats — each with an embossed RS logo — with silver contrast stitching: green stitching can be added as an option. In true Audi fashion, there’s a flat-bottomed three-spoke steering wheel, plus there’s also zinc-plated shift paddles and more carbonfibre for the instrument panel. (Related: Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron concept)

    The RS 3 introduces new updates to Audi’s infotainment, with a bespoke RS skin for the car’s 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit. There’a also a digital dash featuring a a new ‘RS Runway’ option to display engine revs. Centrally-mounted, the 10.1-inch touchscreen features Audi’s RS Monitor; this shows information on temperatures of the engine, brakes, differential and gearbox, as well as tyre pressures.

    Audi-RS3-6.jpg

    Under the bonnet is Audi’s familiar 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder petrol engine, producing 395bhp and 500Nm of torque; that’s up by 20Nm compared with its predecessor. Bhp remains the same.

    What Audi has done, however, is broaden the engine’s power band: it now produces its maximum from lower down in the rev range, 5600rpm, and sustains it to a higher engine speed, now at 7000rpm. Power is sent via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox to all four wheels which are catered for by a new quattro all-wheel drive system.

    Audi-RS3-7-7.jpg

    Performance? With launch control, the RS 3 hits 62mph from standstill in just 3.8secs; that’s 0.3s faster than its predecessor. And if you tick the option boxes for the RS Dynamic package and carbon-ceramic brakes, it’ll accelerate through to 180mph.

    Related: Audi A3 Saloon gets mild-hybrid tech

    Keep up-to-date with all the latest news by following us on Instagram and Twitter

    Jim McGill

     

User Comments

Login or register to post comments.