If you’re looking for a new all-weather heat-seeking road missile that can fit into even the tightest downtown parking spaces, this might be exactly what you seek. The new Audi RS3 is here, and while the tweaks are incremental, they all add up to a new Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record for compact cars of 7:33.123. For those keeping track at home, that’s quicker than an original Audi R8 GT.
So, how’s a transverse platform gone and done that? Well, Audi speaks in great lengths about reducing understeer on corner entry, a feat achieved primarily using calibration tricks. While fine-tuning this hot little sedan undoubtedly helped Audi unseat the BMW M2’s Nürburgring time, Audi also claims that it comes with an entertaining new characteristic. In the previous RS3, you could mash the throttle and the torque-vectoring rear differential would do its thing and give you a little powerslide. However, now Audi claims it’s easier to initiate oversteer using steering input rather than just brute-forcing torque distribution, and that ought to make this pocket rocket more adjustable and playful on corner entry. Color us intrigued.
There’s also a new tire package as standard equipment, although if you want as much grip as you can order from the factory, you’ll still be able to tick the box for Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R semi-slick trackday tires. Hasn’t the performance rubber revolution been a beautiful thing?
Of course, a new Nurburgring record does require some power under the hood to achieve, and the RS3 keeps its distinctive heart — a 394-horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine that sounds like half a V10 and is reportedly capable of slingshotting this little DCT-equipped, all-wheel-drive sedan to 62 mph from a dead stop in 3.8 seconds. Top speed? A vigorous 180 mph. Is it somewhat hilarious that Audi’s smallest RS car has more cylinders than a Mercedes-AMG C63? Yes, but five-cylinder engines rule, and this one’s still fighting the good fight.
Inside the new Audi RS3, one of the biggest updates is an optional pair of beautiful carbon fiber-backed buckets seats that we’re hoping make the trip across the Atlantic. Seating is one of the most important parts of any performance car as a well-bolstered throne keeps the driver from flopping about like a Magikarp, translating to more controlled inputs.
Speaking of the interior, backlit trims, new steering wheel-mounted hotkeys for performance drive modes, and several option packages that give a pop of color ought to lift the ambience, even if there’s still a whole lot of shiny near-black plastic on the dashboard facing.
Of course, the easiest way to tell the new RS3 apart from the old one is through its styling. The outgoing car was handsome if a bit fussy, so Audi’s been smoothing things out a bit by eliminating a pair of body-color vents on the front bumper, and widening the grille, giving it a flatter profile. Add in simpler daytime running lights that now only exist across the top edge of each matrix LED headlight, and the result is a less fussy front end than before.
Mind you, a cleaner front end isn’t the only styling simplification going on here. Around back, the old Audi RS3 had fake grillework running across the entire width of the bumper, but that’s now been replaced by a deeper diffuser-style element and little rear bumper corner vents. It’s a more refined, mature look appropriate of an Audi, and the updated taillights look wicked too.
With revised styling and the promise of sharper handling, the Audi RS3 looks more tempting than ever, even if the hatchback body style likely isn’t coming to America. Oh, and if you’re Canadian, good news! The Audi RS3 is going back on sale in the Great White North. So, this or a new BMW M2, or perhaps a Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing? Let me know in the comments below which one you’d rather take.
(Photo credits: Audi)
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My buddy has a 2018 RS3 and my god is that a fun car. He picked it up used and it has the upgrade brake pacakge (ceramic, I think). Strongest brakes I’ve ever felt, but then again I don’t get to drive many hi-po cars.
nervously checks to see if they kept the 5 cylinder .. OK THANK GOODNESS. I would love one of these so much! if only i could afford it!!
too bad Audi wont remove head from ass and put a six speed with it
Agree. Could be a very serious platform.
Audi’s design evolution seems to have gone from adding their signature grille very successfully in the late 2000s and building some really very refined, attractive vehicles around it, to the front of the car being less a grille design element and more of just a void with perhaps some odd shapes that seem to exist in space
Audi and BMW design has adopted a “more is more” design philosophy. Meanwhile, Mazda is a firm proponent of simple and elegant, and you never hear anyone bad mouthing the styling of any of their vehicles.
You’re completely correct
German Whale shark cars.
I’ve driven the current gen and the motor is definitely the highlight. It sticks like glue at the limit, but what fun is that? I’m really hopeful they keep to their word by dialing up some oversteer without having to ham fist the wheel and throttle. That great motor with some playful oversteer would be a killer combo.
The biggest critique I’ve seen of the current one is that it’s not playful enough and isn’t really fun until you’re at the absolute limit. This update appears to address the issue.
As perhaps the only commenter here who regularly listens to half a V10 right below my ear, I will say that beautiful noises are maybe not its forte.
I did listen to some RS3 videos though and it sounds decent.
I have a car with this engine (the earlier tune of it) and it does sound like a large engine’s little brother that chain smokes.
Love love love it. The pre refresh RS3 put down downright shocking numbers but it was beaten with an ugly stick. The front end reminded me of a pre refresh Elantra N. Way too much black, no telling where the grille began or ended, it was just ugly and busy. It wasn’t any better in person either, there’s a Kyalami Green one that makes occasional appearances in my neighborhood and it’s just not an attractive car. It looks like a Fast and Furious style hoon which just isn’t what Audi should be going for.
This fixes literally everything and that five cylinder’s resume speaks for itself. It also seems to be fairly hearty, I see last gen RS3s with high mileage listed pretty frequently. Anyway, this is back on my list. As I’ve mentioned a few times, this class really appeals to me and will likely be (barely lol) within my budget next go around.
I see there being 4 extremely appealing options around the 60k mark…the M2, the CT4V BW, the IS500, and the RS3. I guess you can throw in the Integra Type S as well…it’s not as high performance but it’s a very special car that undercuts the rest by 10 grand. I don’t think you can go wrong with any of them, but the RS3 has a few distinct advantages.
While you don’t buy a fire breathing performance compact for the gas mileage, the RS3’s is comparatively stellar at 19/28. The M2 and BW get abysmal gas mileage and the IS500 is pretty bad as well. The RS3 also has usable back seats. The BW’s and IS500s are pretty tight and the M2’s are useless.
Performance wise this beats them all on paper as well. The AWD system is a major, major selling point for that reason in addition to the all weather traction. I’d also say the engine is more special than the turbo V6 in the BW and the turbo 4 in the ITS. The IS500 probably wins in that category outright, whether your rather have an S58 or this five popper probably comes down to personal preference.
I’m struggling to find a downside here other than German reliability and maintenance. On paper this seems like the perfect dad sleeper to me, and I’ll be taking one out for a rip eventually…if one even pops up. They are very limited production, and while Audi dealerships don’t really play ADM games as far as I’ve seen if you want one of these you’ll need to either get on a list or order it.
Yeah I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the competition, but if you want AWD or a spicy weird engine, your decision is made. There’s a funk-factor here that the others just don’t have. I think the 5 cylinder alone means this car should be on anyone’s shortlist who’s shopping for something like this. The S58 is great but not really unique like this is, and it’s probably the last 5 banger we’ll ever see.
I’m just happy it looks good now. I have no idea what they were thinking with the pre refresh one. The updated S3 looks great as well and now has the trick differential, but I’m hesitant to give a VAG turbo 4 another chance after what a disaster mine was/the fact that my mom’s grenaded itself at 60k.
The S3 is a monster TBH. I don’t keep up with that section of Audi Internet, so IDK what the common issues are, but they make crazy power with bolt-ons and go fast as fuck, boi. It’s only like 40HP less than the S5 in factory form but weighs 500lb less. My S5 went 12.8 stock and C&D tested the last S3 at 12.9. It’s really a performance bargain in that space. Just like with the S5 and RS5, you can have 97% of the fun for less money, with cheaper maintenance and insurance, too. RS brake jobs get expensive REAL quick. Our Q7 uses the same 375mm rotors as the RS5 and I spent over $1,600 just in parts to do all four wheels. And that’s without even getting into the performance options where you can spend over a grand just on two front rotors from 034.
Being honest. I love this, but I would have an extremely hard time buying this over the IS500. Even though the RS3 is probably the better car by performance, style, and practicality measurements. Mostly because I keep my cars WAYYY past the warranty period, but also because the IS is the last of the breed of N/A V8. Of course, the turbo inline 5 could arguable makes the same claim.
I really want to love the IS500 but I have several issues with it. The first is that it’s really expensive for what it is. You’re looking at about 70k out the door and it’s not even a full F model. For the amount you spend on it you’re not that far off from the full fat AMG, M, etc. offerings. It also doesn’t depreciate and never will so it’s not like you can save money on a used one.
To kind of riff off of that point, it’s not track capable. While I wouldn’t say I’m a track rat necessarily I do go a couple times a year and I’d like something that can handle an HPDE day, especially for $70,000. Everything else I listed can do that out of the box. You have to do a lot of mods to get an IS500 to be able to do more than one or two laps.
The transmission also sucks. Basically, it’s all engine and not really anything else. To be fair, it’s a spectacular engine. But at the end of the day it’s a luxury cruiser that happens to have a very special V8. Everything else is basically the same as any other IS.
That being said if you value reliability and longevity over all else it’s the clear choice. It will also be the best investment. A Blackwing will probably be worth 35k after 40,000 miles. An IS500 will be worth like $5,000 less than you paid for it, if that.
Anyway to make a long story short I think I wish it was just a full F model and find it hard to justify paying the premium for it when it’s more or less just an engine upgrade. I’m absolutely still going to test drive one and consider it, but I have a bad feeling that I’m going to be disappointed. A lot of the journalists that have gotten their hands on them have been.
Also, while I doubt anyone is cross shopping them, the Chrysler 300C has a bigger, more powerful V8, lots of go fast goodies, a better transmission, and is $10,000 cheaper new. They’re also depreciating like any other American car. Would I throw down good times at the track in one? Absolutely not lol…but would I have a good time? You bet!
That all fair criticism. Its a hard sell against the M2 for me, but the 4-doors make a big difference with 2 kids in tow. I don’t see myself doing any track time. Maybe an autocross once or twice at most. I just want a reliable car that handles decently and has crushing acceleration. The IS500 seems to fit all those criteria. The 300c is tempting, but no longer in production.
It isn’t, but it’s depreciating like a Chrysler despite the limited production and a lot of them were bought up by Boomers thinking they’d be good investments. So I don’t think nice ones will be all that hard to find. I’m already seeing them pop up in the mid 40s and there are plenty of leftover new ones around on lots at significant discounts. A local dealership here has 2 new ones still sitting and they’re both listed for $3,000 off MSRP.
Again with the Garage Floor Grey press photos. You can get this thing in four different actual colors and they decide to show it off in a color that hides all of the details.