- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.5T, 5 cyl.
- Engine Power
270kW, 465Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (98) 8.1L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4WD
- Transmission
Auto (DCT)
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
5/5 star (2013)
Audi RS3 first drive review
There are plenty of shocking facts surrounding Audi's new RS3.
Forget for a moment that this is the quickest and fastest hot hatch on sale at the moment, a five-door runabout which costs more than $100,000 if you get greedy with the options list and one that can reach a top speed of 280km/h.
Instead, consider that the humble hatch before you can match the straight-line performance restricted to the likes of Ferrari a decade and a half ago.
The V8-powered Ferrari 360 Modena of 1999 used 298kW of power to reach 100km/h in just 4.3 seconds, a figure matched by this little red wagon.
Transcending the divide between hot hatch and full-blown sports-car like few other machines on sale, Audi's RS3 is the latest in an increasingly mean breed of European hot hatches intent on embarrassing much more fancied machinery.
Sticking to a tried-and-true recipe, Audi engineers wedged in the most powerful motor that would fit under the hatchback's bonnet before completing the package with sporty suspension, sticky tyres and oversized brakes.
The RS3 is defined by its powerplant.
An oddball 2.5-litre five-cylinder motor that warbles a welcome tune instantly familiar to students of world-class rallying, the Audi's retuned motor is reason enough to consider parking one in the driveway.
Firing through the wilds of Tasmania during the model's local launch, it's easy to get lost in the joyous song and rich seam of torque put forward by the new model.
That's a problem, because it's a seriously quick machine so comfortable at pace that it regularly entices drivers into pushing well beyond national speed limits.
The engine's 270kW of power and 465Nm of torque lend effortless shove once exclusive to V8 muscle cars, firing the little model down the road with an impunity few other compact cars on sale can match.
Sending power to the tyres with the most grip thanks to a variable-split all-wheel-drive system, the RS3 offers immense traction at all speeds. The engine's work is helped by a standard seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that cracks through the gears with intent, particularly when drivers choose to run the car in its most dynamic mode.
The more impressive trait is that it can be entirely docile when placed in comfort mode, cruising quietly and smoothly in a well-appointed cabin home to lush sports seats, a flat-bottomed leather and suede steering wheel, and clear full-colour infotainment screens.
It feels more comfortable and liveable than rivals such as the Mercedes-AMG A45 hatch, particularly when optioned with magnetic variable shock absorbers that cost $6490 as part of an RS performance package that also brings lashings of interior carbon fibre trim, 19-inch alloy wheels with wider front tyres than the standard car, a Bang and Olufsen stereo, red-painted brake callipers and more.
While no doubt appreciated by luxury customers who expect a side of tinsel from their performance hatch, those features would count for little if it did not deliver on the driving front.
Undoubtedly quick in a straight line, the RS3 is a willing ally on challenging roads, using clever electronics to make the most of its 235mm-wide Pirelli P-Zero tyres.
Sharp, well-weighted steering, excellent body control and stubborn grip make it a fine point-to-point weapon, one that could challenge much more expensive machinery in winding back-country hills.
That progress is brought to account by confidence-inspiring bite from 370mm ventilated and drilled front brake discs that feature a wave pattern on the outer surface of the rotor that help save weight while looking incredibly purposeful to boot.
A little nose-heavy with a tendency for front-end push, the RS3 doesn't offer the finely balanced dynamics of a well sorted rear-drive coupe such as a BMW M235i or Toyota 86 - but nor does it seek to.
A grippy point-and-shoot machine with flattering manners and searing pace, the Audi RS3 is an outstanding example of the hot hatch breed.
Many people won't see the sense in spending $78,900 plus options on a Corolla-sized hatch, but plenty would do, as Audi already has more than 350 customers lined up to get hold of the ultimate hot hatch.
Potential customers who haven't ordered one yet will have to wait their turn, or settle for something that offers similar performance.
Something like a second-hand Ferrari.
Long live the king
While the RS3 is a shockingly fast machine, its time on top of the hot hatch brigade will be short-lived as there are plenty of machines lining up to challenge the new model.
The Mercedes-AMG A45 is the obvious contender. A facelifted version due in Australia later this year is set to make 280kW of power, helping it reach 100km/h in 4.2 seconds - enough to overtake Audi as king of the class.
Volkswagen is working on a 300kW version of its Golf R hatchback that could leapfrog its rivals. Already previewed to the public as the Golf R 400 concept, that car could give established performance brands a serious shake-up.
BMW has an RS3 rival of sorts in its cheaper and less focused 240kW M135i five-door hatchback that sends 240kW of power to the back wheels, though the brand is working on a proper performance machine in the upcoming M2 coupe.
Drivers looking for RS3-sized thrills from a more affordable package should look at Ford's 257kW Focus RS. Blending a manual transmission with a razor-sharp chassis honed by rally star Ken Block - complete with a 'drift mode' - that car promises to be a quality alternative to German rivals.
2015 Audi RS3 Sportback pricing and details:
On sale: Now
Price: From $78,900 plus on-road costs.
Engine: 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo petrol
Power: 270kW at 5550-6800rpm
Torque: 465Nm at 1625-5550rpm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch auto, AWD
Fuel use: 8.1L/100km
Performance: 0-100km/h in 4.3s, 280km/h.