Audi RS3
Bold, sweeping statement time, even if it’s not exactly newsworthy; the everyman, petrol-powered hot-hatch as we know it is breathing its last, and that’s a shame. Despite being nearly killed off by thieving toe-rags and the astronomical insurance premiums their actions in the 80s & 90s brought about, the hot-hatch has represented value-for-money performance for 50 years now.
It may be fitting that one of the only ones left, and the one that’s most likely to be the last man standing is the VW Golf GTI. The Civic Type R’s gone, The Focus ST is on its last legs and the excellent Hyundai i30N was withdrawn in 2024. RIP, you brave heroes.
RIP hot-hatch. Long live the super-hatch
But, but, but, I hear you cry, there’s still plenty of petrol powered hatchbacks that offer bucket-loads of fun. Yes, there’s the AMG A-Class and the GR Yaris but they’re both the thick end of £50k these days, and that brings us neatly on to this; the Audi RS3. Not a blue-collar hot-hatch, more of a £60k+ super-hatch.
So, what makes it super? Well, the 2.5 litre engine with Audi’s preferred 5-cylinder layout under the bonnet is a great place to start. Producing 394bhp & 500Nm torque is always going to spice things up a bit and in this case the RS3’s 0-62mph time will embarrass a lot of even pricier metal at 3.8s.
Quattro, obvs
The RS3’s a Quattro, naturally, there’s no option of a manual transmission, and you probably expected that to be the case, too.
What doesn’t make the RS3 perform any better but is becoming a lost feature of our roads is the tune it plays as it goes about its business. The 5-cylinder engine and the order in which those cylinders fire means you can tell an RS3 is coming way before you see it, much like the characteristic thrum of the Impreza Turbo in its 90s heyday.
Subtle, the RS3 is not, but it’s not supposed to be. In fact, just to emphasise the point, Audi has re-engineered the exhaust system – not to be more subtle, quite the opposite, it’s now more aggressive at lower revs. Where noisier cars like the Ford Mustang were given a quiet-start option for those early mornings, the RS3 has what they call ’emotional engine start’, for when you absolutely must wake up every neighbour in your street.
The show must go on
That isn’t the only element of this updated RS3 that’s been added just for the fun of it. Unlock the car and the LED front lights spell out R-S-3, followed by a chequered flag – then the DRLs also display a chequered flag motif. No, it’s not subtle but when you look at the rest of the RS3 with its beefed up, enhanced, well, everything, you realise that if you want understated you should probably look elsewhere. Isn’t that what hot-hatches are all about, anyway?
Anyway, enough about the show, because what you’re really paying for in an RS3 is the go, right? Despite their AWD Quattro system, fast Audis have often been accused of being a bit nose-heavy and understeer-ey when pushed near the limit.
Aren’t Quattro Audis a bit nose-heavy?
Not this one. One of the major advances with this latest RS3 is the trick rear axle. It features something called a torque splitter which essentially senses understeer and uses a clutch on each side to channel up to 100% of the available torque to the appropriate wheel. The front wheels are still always driven but when you combine this tech with another new addition; tech that brakes the inside wheel only at the same time, the RS3 has all-but killed off its reputation for understeer.
Just to get back to the boring stuff for a minute, the RS3 is obviously based on a slightly less exciting but very practical A3. In the translation to RS3 there’s no less usability in terms of interior space but it would be fair to assume that its ride quality etc would suffer. That’s the great thing, though. Put the RS3 in its softest, most pop-to-the-shops settings and it turns from a sabre-toothed tiger into a big pussycat. The suspension doesn’t jar, the steering is still quick but not twitchy and you won’t inadvertently lose your licence.
Should I buy an Audi RS3?
Audi has gone all-out to make the RS3 as super-hot as possible, ironing out as many of the previous gen’s flaws as they could. On the flip side, they’ve restored what made hot-hatched great in the first place; everyday usability. The only downside is the price-tag, and there’s no getting around that, but ultimately you are getting performance that in the recent past would be the reserve of bona fide supercars.
By Ben Harrington
2026 Audi RS3 Specifications:
Engine – 2.5l 5-cylinder petrol, Transmission – 7-speed S tronic, Layout – Front engine, AWD, Power – 394bhp,Torque – 500Nm, Emissions – 212g/km CO2, Economy – 30.4mpg combined, Maximum Speed – 155mph, Acceleration – 3.8s – 0-62mph, Price – £62,400 OTR
The Audi RS3 is available now, priced from £62,400. For full details go to:www.audi.co.uk
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