The RS3 is again after a short hiatus from the Canadian market, bringing alongside its blazing five-cylinder engine that now produces 394 horsepower. Being the one five-cylinder on sale in North America has a pleasant ring to it, however that’s not the one memento it has introduced over. A brand new torque vectoring system goals to clean away any spectres of understeer, whereas a brand new inside design and steering wheel refresh the cabin. Shiny new seems to be, with new colors and wheel designs, full the 2025 visa papers.
Extra compact than an inline-six however mounted transversely like a four-cylinder, Audi’s 2.5-litre turbocharged engine is exclusive not simply in cylinder depend and packaging, but additionally in its firing order (1-2-4-5-3). That leads to an idling warble that sonically reverberates like an infantry battle drum, giving us little excuse to check the brand new Sonos speaker system. Speed up previous 3,500 rpm, the valves open, and the full-bodied soundtrack begins its swift moonshot to the 7,000 rpm redline.
For those who blindfolded us within the cramped again seat and advised us we had been in a low-revving, short-shifting V10-equipped Audi R8, we’d imagine you. The RS3 even tries to imitate the sounds of opening throttle our bodies by including a bass-filled exhaust roar to accompany all throttle inputs. Whereas not as inherently easy and mechanically balanced because the 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 within the Lexus IS 500, it’s definitely fizzier, extra characterful, and propels the RS3 practically a second faster from 0-100 km/h (3.8s vs. 4.6s).
Essentially the most important addition to the arsenal is the brand new RS Torque Splitter, a completely variable torque vectoring system with a pair of clutches that may ship all energy to both of the rear wheels. It’s primarily the Audi-fied model of the Golf R system. This enables for showboating drifts and leaves BMW M fanboys flabbergasted by an Audi smoking out its rears. It really works effectively too and instills a way of throttle-activated agility in low- and medium-speed corners.
Within the RS3’s default driving mode, it behaves predominantly like a front-engined sizzling hatch however with barely extra rear rotation than the FL5 Kind R. It’s saying one thing when the entrance Bridgestone Potenza tires are wider than the rears (265/30R19 entrance, 245/35R19 rear). Activate RS mode through the pink buttons on the wheel, and the steering turns into extra direct and trustworthy to enter. Construct up pace, load it right into a nook, and it stays remarkably steady and connected. Introduce some throttle carry or weight switch, and the rear begins to interact, kicking out ever so barely for faster rotation.
The enjoyable issue is powerful sufficient to justify the improve over an S3 or Golf R, each of which lack the RS3’s breadth of adjustability. Audi has programmed a substantial amount of engine braking within the RS modes, so it’s not precisely glad pottering about in visitors. The adaptive suspension retains the journey agency however composed and completely usable as a every day driver. We’d put it on par with the M2 and IS 500 in highway consolation, however just like the BMW and CLA 45 AMG, the 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox lurches should you’re hesitant on the pedals or don’t add sufficient throttle. The five-cylinder sounds anxious and uncomfortable in low RPMs, and always tempts you to unlock its restraint and let it rev free. There aren’t many gearboxes in the marketplace that shift this violently and rapidly, although, so its lack of tenderness is well forgiven.
That is one of the best wanting RS3 up to now, its hexagonal entrance grill punctuated by the brand new, daring and vibrant Progressive Crimson paint. The checkered flag headlights are neat, the vertical aspect fenders remind us of the RS6 Avant GT, and the black oval tailpipes give it the signature RS remedy. We’re not keen on the brand new RS3 emblem, which has a separation between the rhombus and the letter R, making it too straightforward to confuse it with an S3. It additionally blends too simply with the pink paint. What’s much more complicated is that Audi isn’t in line with it, and nonetheless makes use of the previous emblem for the puddle lights, flooring mats, steering wheel, and door sill. Not the important thing fob, although.
Nevertheless it’s the brand new flat-top-bottom steering wheel that has us scratching our heads. Whoever determined to exchange the four-ringed Audi badge with a flat sticker must reorient their inside compass. The skinny rim is great to understand, however we don’t see the enchantment of the flat spokes like these on the BMW iX. Just like the current-gen of Volkswagen Golfs, the alternative of the superb bodily switches and dials with haptic contact sensors infuriates us. There are ridges on the button borders that will help you discover the place the subsequent button lies, however not all of them have it, making it simply as straightforward to decrease the quantity as it’s to mute it. The sensors simply aren’t very intuitive, leading to a nonetheless easy however slower and extra troubled expertise with the chic 12.3-inch Digital Cockpit system.
This nitpicking is barely as a result of we all know how good Audi switchgear may be—check out the bodily switchgear within the RS6. These buttons register with a sure deftness with a light however important squeak that signifies the enter was profitable. Ambiguity is tremendously elevated with the delicate haptic sensors. And we’re unsure why Audi is making an attempt to reinvent the wheel with a quantity dial managed by a touchpad, frustratingly forcing you to attract circles to regulate the quantity.
The wheel-mounted paddle shifters interact effectively however are too small, and whereas there’s a intelligent programmable shortcut button on the steering wheel, the capabilities it may be paired with are restricted. Fairly than significant makes use of like partaking the parking digital camera or disabling driver help capabilities, you possibly can solely select from insubstantial options like switching the map theme from day to nighttime, or altering from radio to media audio.
The RS3 has introduced again its iconic five-cylinder with some oversteering magic however throughout its trip, the listing of opponents underneath the $100,000 sports activities automotive bracket has grown, with the BMW M2, Lexus IS 500, Porsche 718 Cayman, Ford Mustang Darkish Horse, and Mercedes-AMG CLA 45 S all eyeing the prize. What stands out is its scintillating, mini-V10 soundtrack, appropriate highway compliance for every day driving, and quattro AWD stability for the winter months. And whereas it might be marred by just a few ergonomic foibles associated to person interplay, its superior construct high quality, Digital Cockpit interface, and lovely exterior visuals preserve the haptic frustrations low and the general need excessive.
Specs:
Mannequin: 2025 Audi RS 3 Sedan
Paint Kind: Progressive Crimson
Base Value: $78,250
Value as Examined: $81,690
Wheelbase(mm): 2,630
Size/Width/Top (mm): 4,534 / 1,851 / 1,392
Curb weight (kg): 1,645
Engine: 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Horsepower: 394 hp
Torque: 369 lb-ft
Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch computerized
Engine & Drive Configuration: Entrance engine, AWD
Noticed Gas Consumption (L/100km): 12.1
Tires: Bridgestone Potenza; 265/30 R19 (entrance), 245/35 R19 (rear)
