Motorsport DNA

The relatively small Australian automotive market punches well above its weight when it comes to its love for the finest offerings from Audi Sport. Those performance specials with the coveted RS (Renn Sport) badge are a true favourite Down Under, with Australia ranked as the fourth largest consumer of Audi Sport models last year.

That famous RS badge appears throughout the Audi family, from the RS 3 and RS Q3 models at the physically smaller end of the scale, right up to the RS Q8 performance to top out the combustion offering – the most powerful combustion model – and of course the newly released RS e-tron GT performance which is the brand’s fastest and most powerful series production model full stop.

Each has its admirers and loyal following, but the RS 3 – in both Sportback and Sedan – is particularly popular. And with good reason. So much so that Australia ranked fifth globally for RS 3 deliveries in 2024 – and the arrival of the new RS 3 models is set to raise the pulse rate of the loyal fans and new converts alike.

Touching down at $104,800* for the RS 3 Sportback $107,800* for RS 3 Sedan, the latest iteration of this compact, high-performance specialist also punches well above its weight, delivering class-leading performance in a car that is also refined and luxurious and absolutely brimming with the latest automotive technology.

Whether your tastes run to the Sedan or the Sportback, the RS 3 is a good looking car. It sits low (25mm lower than the standard A3) and has real road presence without screaming for attention, and even the checkered flag daytime running lights – one of the four selectable daytime light signatures – are fun and tastefully done. They’re part of the Matrix LED light offering that, along with the aggressive front Singleframe grille, deep air splitter and big dual exhausts nestled in the large rear diffuser, give the RS 3 its distinctive look.

And while it is undeniably sporty, it has an air of sophistication about it that makes it look equally at home parked in the executive parking at the office, outside a fashionable restaurant or in the pit paddock at a track day.

Certainly the RS 3 in both body shapes is subtle when compared to some in the performance space, but not so subtle that you’d mistake the cues that it is something special. No, there are no huge rear wings or garish bodykits, but those muscular wheel arches are flared to accommodate 19-inch alloy wheels from Audi Sport, the 10-spoke variants of which are inspired by the wheels on the hugely successful RS 3 LMS TCR cars. 

The huge air intakes at the front are functional and house radiators as well as adding to the ‘aggressive’ front end treatment and the ducting on the bodywork – behind the front wheel arches for example – aids cooling when the car is pushed and are not just for show.

Likewise the interior, which on the one hand reflects the car’s performance focus, but nevertheless delivers a luxurious design and execution that leaves you in no doubt that this is a luxury car and certainly not a stripped down track car. Very much driver focused as you would expect in a car like this, the cabin is a perfect example of Audi’s expertise when it comes to interiors. The clean, uncluttered design is both functional but aesthetically pleasing, from the electrically-adjusted RS bucket seats in fine Nappa leather with honeycomb stitching that not only look the part but offer excellent lateral support and comfort, to the inspired interior lighting, especially in the door insets, with their laser cut design which is beautifully backlit – just choose the light colour to suit the mood.

Then there’s the RS Sport leather multifunction plus steering wheel with hands on detection, flat on the top and bottom with touch controls and new RS and track mode buttons. These allow you to go straight to preset performance settings – suspension, transmission – at the touch of a button, should you happen on the right piece of road or find yourself on a race track.

But bear in mind that despite supercar performance and rally-bred handling (which we’ll get to shortly), the RS 3 in both body styles is a practical conveyance, so there are back seats and a boot.

And also remember that this is a luxury car, so you have all of the technological marvels at your fingertips as well, like the 12.3 inch RS virtual cockpit, MMI navigation with its own 10.1-inch touch screen, Audi phonebook light, Digital radio DAB+, Audi connect plus and a Sonos premium 3D sound system. This is on top of the three-zone climate control, the aforementioned ambient colour lighting, privacy glass and an electric sunroof.

Of course what really makes the RS 3 special is its superb 2.5-litre, five-cylinder engine. Awarded Engine of the year by an international panel of judges, no less than nine times (in a row), this powerplant is directly descended from motorsport and not only delivers 294 kW of power between 5600 and 7000rpm and 500 Nm of torque between 2250rpm and 5600rpm, it propels the RS 3 from a standstill to 100km/h in a blistering 3.8 seconds. That’s ‘throw you back in the seat’ performance. Electronically speed limited to 250km/h, this is the car that (albeit in the hands of Audi Sport’s maestro, Frank Stippler) blasted around the Nürburgring Nordschleife to set a new record for the ‘compact’ class of 7:33.123 – showing the opposition a very clean pair of heels.

Even when not driven at ‘full noise’ though, the distinctive snarl of the five-cylinder with its unique 1‑2‑4‑5‑3 firing order, never gets old. In fact the new model features an optimised exhaust flap control to get the most out of that wonderful, symphonic roar across a wider rev range. That exhaust note climbs in intensity depending on the selected drive mode – Dynamic, RS Performance, or RS Torque Rear – but for ‘quiet days, or when you don’t want to trumpet your approach, the Comfort mode and less generous use of the throttle reduce the exhaust to more of a restrained burble.

To really enjoy the RS 3, as is the case with any performance car, you need the right roads and or a race track. So, to launch the latest iteration of the RS 3, Audi Australia provided both. Leaving the misery of Melbourne traffic and the countless ring roads and highways in the rearview mirror, the drive from Melbourne airport took in a succession of country backroads on a circuitous route to Gippsland and specifically the Gippsland Car Club and Bryant Park Hillclimb circuit. Known locally simply as the Haunted Hills hillclimb track, this permanent 1400 metre circuit is a veritable Disneyland for car enthusiasts, a tight, technical track with elevation changes like a rollercoaster. 

The venue for three Australian Hillclimb Championships since it was built in 2008, Haunted Hills was the perfect place to drive the RS 3 without the fear of oncoming traffic, speed limits or police and to revel in the surefooted feel and incredible acceleration that make this car so much fun to drive.

Although a quattro car, the ability to bias the feel towards the rear wheels is particularly impressive, via the torque splitter – a electrically controlled system that distributes the torque as required between the rear wheels, depending on the conditions and type of driving. 

This system which was first introduced in 2022 has been further enhanced for this iteration. The system can direct up to 100 percent of to either wheel as required – sending more power to the outer rear wheel when cornering to reduce understeer, or to the inner wheel to counteract oversteer. 

Select Dynamic mode and there is a noticeable amount of oversteer introduced. The RS performance mode is designed with the track in mind and is more neutral but maximises stability at speed. Go to RS torque rear and you’re looking at greater oversteer and a more dynamic ESC settings for real ‘tail out’ action (in the right environment of course).

Add to all this the RS sport suspension with damper control and a finely tuned chassis, as well as that lower centre of gravity and you have a vehicle that’s ride and comfort seem at odds with its performance ability.

This is a supremely capable car and one that is tremendously rewarding to drive on the right roads, or better still on a track. Its surefooted feel, coupled with its incredible acceleration and brakes made for an exhilarating stint on the Haunted Hills track, where maximum agility and acceleration were a winning combination. 

But even away from the track, on the winding backroads it was right in its element, hunkering down and racing through corners with absolute confidence, the steering direct with excellent feedback and the brakes absolutely, in this case the standard steel discs, absolutely dependable. You can of course option up to ceramic if you intend on doing regular track days.

The engine note is a pure delight and is unlike anything else on the road – and for those times when traffic and the prevailing conditions make for a more sedate approach, the Sonos sound system is an excellent alternative.

Then there’s that very same firm ride that allows the RS 3 to corner like it’s on rails at speed, that as if by magic, becomes extraordinarily pliant and smooth at a touch of the Audi drive select button as and when required. In fact, in the confines of suburban and city driving, the RS 3 shows a completely different side to its personality, to the point where you could be driving a completely different car to the one you just had at the track. Except you’re not – the RS 3 absolutely nails both briefs – again. An exciting, rewarding track weapon in the right environment and a sophisticated, luxury conveyance when required. It’s been called a thug in a nice suit by some, but that really doesn’t do the RS 3 justice. No, it is very much an elite athlete in a tailored suit.

(*Manufacturer List Pricing [MLP] – excludes dealer delivery and government statutory charges)