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Audi RS3 review: mega hatch packs performance punch

RS3_SPORTBACK_0014
The turbocharged five-cylinder RS3 is quick, but thanks to the Sportback body there is room to travel in comfort

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18 June 2015

Audi RS3 review

What is it?

THE second-generation version of the fastest A3, but with 362bhp, the Audi RS3 is also the fastest compact production hatch on sale.

What’s hot?

  • The engine! Wow! That 2.5-litre, turbocharged five-cylinder develops an unbelievable 362bhp. With all that power, acceleration to 62mph is equally brisk at just 4.3 seconds and the top speed is a supercar-rivalling 155mph. This mega engine is also happily mated to the fastest shifting 7-Speed S-Tronic gearbox.
  • Want to go even faster? No problem, as part of a £2,495 Dynamic Plus package, Audi will remove the 155mph restrictor, taking the top speed to 174mph.
  • The RS3’s 2.5-litre five-cylinder petrol might major on performance, but with a 34.9mpg combined consumption figure and 189g/km emissions, it’s surprisingly frugal for such as high performance car. This Audi falls into tax band J which equals £265 a year in VED.
  • Will this RS3 make sense as an SME company car? Sense? Well, you’ll just make it work won’t you with some rose-tinted accounting: with CO2 emissions of 189g/km, plus a combined fuel consumption figure of 34.9mpg, this car falls into the 32% company car tax band for 2015/2016.
  • Our review car was fitted with £1,495 worth of Dynamic Package that included the clever Magnetic suspension and the Audi RS sports exhaust. Both are worthwhile options, but our own particular favourite was the exhaust, which amplified the charismatic five-cylinder soundtrack and adds extra popping and banging – especially in Dynamic mode – we recommend it!
  • Despite all the performance, being based on the more practical A3 Sportback body, means there’s room for four to travel in comfort. The driving position is very comfortable – even for the tallest, plus there’s a fine set of high-backed sports seats available as an option. On top of this, there’s also a practical 380-litre boot which can be extended to 1,220 litres with the rear seat folded.
  • As we’ve come to expect from Audi, the trim and general quality is impressive. The simple, uncluttered dashboard design is also attractive. Overall, the RS3 feels a cut above rivals such as the BMW M135i.
  • Subtle but effective we think best sums up the transformation from A3 to RS3. At the front, there’s a black gloss, honeycomb effect front grille, deeper front air dam with larger air intakes and full LED headlights. At the side, there are subtly swollen wheel arches filled by specific RS 19-inch alloy wheels. The RS3’s looks are finished off at the back with a rear spoiler, plus a chunkier rear airdam that has large twin exhausts and a rear splitter.
  • The Audi RS3 is an impressive drive too. With maximum torque available from as little as 1,650rpm, the RS3 feels rapid right from the start. Standard launch control means you can make the most of that power, for those naughty race style starts. It’s a shame there’s no manual option, but full respect to the seven-speed, twin-clutch auto, that’s always super smooth and quick to react. Thankfully the standard steel brakes with their clever, wave profile discs, are more than up to the job of stopping this fast Audi (Ceramics will be available as an option soon).
  • With standard-fit 19-inch alloy wheels and RS sports suspension, the RS3 isn’t always comfortable – in fact we’d recommend the optional adaptive damper system that was fitted to our car. Body roll is virtually non-existent in corners and because of the quattro four-wheel drive, there’s plenty of grip. Another RS3 plus, is that the variable ratio steering is sharp and direct.

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