20 January 2016
The Famous Five
Powerful 5-cylinder engines have a long tradition at Audi. During the 1980’s they powered Audi rally cars, touring cars and production models to success. The first RS model - the RS2 from 1994 - also had such an engine. The 5-cylinder made its comeback in 2009 in the Audi TT RS and then made its way into the RS3 Sportback in 2011 and two years later into the RS Q3.
The new feisty RS3 guarantees a lingering smile on your face as you wind the power on and unleash the throaty roar from the standard high-flow sports exhaust. Fitted with two flaps to control exhaust flow and thus changing the sound to match the setting in the Audi drive select system.
Engine output is now a hefty 270kW with a peak torque of 465 Nm found from 1,625 rpm through to 5,550 rpm - all thanks to the Quattro AWD system. The standard 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission shifts gear lightning fast with no hesitation as both clutches simultaneously open and close.
2015 sees the RS shed 55 kgs over its predecessor, being built upon the Volkswagen Group’s advanced MQB platform with its strict lightweight construction concept. This is also achieved through strategic battery placement and the use of an aluminium bonnet. The exterior also has bragging rights - the widened front guards, chiselled side sills, matt aluminium-look mirror housings and the large roof spoiler all immediately catch the eye.
A comfortable seat for your RS
The interior of the RS3 Sportback is in sporty black and accentuated with RS badges. The RS sport seats are covered in fine Nappa leather with contrasting stitching in rock grey. An upgrade option for the weight conscious racer could be the newly developed RS bucket seats with integrated side airbags and carbon shell, which shed a further 7kg over the standard unit. The leather wrapped multifunction steering wheel is flat on the bottom, whilst the driver information display (DIS) includes an oil temperature gauge and lap timer, with a boost pressure display located in the rev counter dial. You will be well informed and comfortable should you happen to find yourself on the starting line at the local race track.
Standard equipment includes Audi’s Parking System Plus and the MMI Navigation Plus, while the infotainment and driver assistance systems from the A3 series are available without restriction in the new top model. The Audi Assistance package is also available as an option with adaptive cruise control, active lane assist and high beam assistant.
The base model RS is available from $99,900, with our test model receiving upgrade packages including the carbon fibre, gloss black styling, LED headlights and 19” black rotor design alloys, increasing the price to a cool $107,650.