2017 Audi RS 3 Sedan First Drive Review | A Sensible Suit Hides Manic Performance
Audi Sport, the division tasked with taking standard luxury cars and turning them into mind-melting performance cars, may not have the same storied history of hot-shops like Mercedes-AMG or BMW M, but that hasn’t stopped the brand from expanding its range at a rapid rate.
The latest addition is the 2017 Audi RS 3 sedan. While the RS 3 itself is nothing new, this is the first time it’s been available with a boot having previously only been available as a hyperactive hatch.
Superfast small sedans aren’t exactly a common sight - in fact only Mercedes-Benz offers a true rival, but in the quest for new buyers (whilst filling every conceivable niche) Audi has thrown its hat into the ring.
Vehicle Style: High performance prestige small sedan
Price: $84,900 plus on-road costs
Engine/trans: 294kW/480Nm 2.5-litre 5cyl turbo petrol | 7sp automatic
Fuel Economy Claimed: 8.4-8.5 l/100km (depending on specification)
OVERVIEW
As the flagship of the Audi A3 range, the RS 3 sedan sits proudly as the most expensive member of Audi’s small car family with a $84,900 plus on-road costs entry ticket.
But to compare it to the earlier RS 3 hatch would be inappropriate. There’s a new lighter and more powerful engine under the bonnet making the RS 3 sedan something of a cut-price, more practical TT RS - a car that Audi has branded a ‘compact supercar’.
Audi RS 3 - Prices, Features, and Specifications