That distinctive 2.5-litre, five-cylinder bark is headed Down Under again in 2025 for perhaps the last time in a new model, when the upgraded RS 3 models arrive on Australian soil. Just a couple of months after again setting a record around the famed Nürburgring-Nordschleife, the first images of the RS 3 have been released, showing the high-performance Sedan and Sportback with sharper new styling and an even more aggressive front-end treatment if that was even possible. 

The meshed grille treatment over what is a slimmer and wider Singleframe grille treatment instantly stands out, along with new 19-inch alloy wheels, air intakes and front blades as well as slimmer headlight design with the distinctive checkered flag daytime running lights. New lights also adorn the rear end along with a new rear diffuser and the distinctive RS oval tailpipes. 

One of Audi Sport’s most popular models, the RS 3 enjoys a tremendous following here in Australia, its combination of compact size, luxurious yet sporty interior and giant-killing performance ensuring successive models are instantly snapped up as soon as they arrive.

Those looking to secure what will potentially be the last of the combustion-engined RS 3s will have to wait until the first half of next year to get their hands on a car that Audi Sport has worked hard to ensure handles even better than ever before.

The heart of the RS 3 models remains the legendary 2.5 TFSI engine with its 294kW and 500Nm of torque mated to a fast-shfting seven-speed dual clutch transmission and with power going down to the road through all four wheels. The sprint from standstill to 100km/h is done and dusted in 3.8 seconds on the way to a top speed of 250km/h (with the option to again push that out to 290km/h for track work).

And there’s that unique engine noise thanks to the firing sequence of the multi-award winning five-cylinder engine (1-2-4-5-3) that is further accentuated by the twin RS exhaust system with variable flap control.

Its recent 7:33.123 minute time around the Nürburgring-Nordschleife is not only another record in the compact-performance class, but testament to the validity of the whole package – not only the 2.5 TFSI but the torque splitter with its fully variable torque distribution between the rear wheels, electronic stability control, wheel-selective torque control (brake torque vectoring), and the adaptive dampers of the RS sport suspension. 

Fine-tuning to the RS 3’s handling set-up, through revised software governing the torque vectoring, stability control and adaptive suspension has resulted in even sharper handling and agility and accounted for the improvement in the RS 3’s time around the Nürburgring.

New standard rubber is said to improve comfort while still providing outstanding grip for performance applications and there is again the option to purchase Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R semi-slick tyres in Europe, although Australian specification and options were not finalised at time of writing.

Those familiar with past RS 3 models will recognise the slick interior which remains a clutter-free cockpit designed around the driver. With RS sport or optional RS bucket seats finished in a combination of Dinamica and Pearl Nappa with the familiar RS honeycomb stitching, new sports steering wheel flattened top and bottom it remains all business. Numerous touches abound to set the RS 3 apart, like the planar lighting mode which sees a light source in the door panel back-light hundreds of lasered rhombus shapes of various sizes, which dynamically light up when locking and unlocking the RS 3.

The latest in-car technology is again beautifully worked into the interior design, with the 12.3-inch virtual cockpit with its Sport, Performance, and Runway views, as well as a new rev counter taking pride of place. There are of course displays for power output, torque, g-forces, acceleration and lap times, while in manual transmission mode, the RS-specific blinking shift indicator changes the rpm display from green to yellow to red, motorsports-style, to indicate the ideal time to change gears. In addition, the temperature ranges of coolant, torque splitter, brakes, engine oil and transmission oil are shown in colour on the 10.1-inch touch display in the instrument panel. 

Even at a glance this revised model gives every indication of continuing the proud tradition started by the original RS 3 back in 2011 when it became the first high-performance model in the compact luxury class. Other manufacturers were quick to throw their hats into the ring, but each successive RS 3 has continued to refine the offering, with this latest, and potentially last, incarnation set to do just that again.

Expected to arrive in Australian in the first half of 2025, final specification and pricing will be announced closer to its official launch date.