Audi RS3

Audi RS 3 at a glance

Where the RS 3 sits in the A3 range

The RS 3 is the top of the A3 family described in our Audi A3 generations hub. Below it sits the S3, which in the 8Y generation uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 231 kW (310 PS) and 400 Nm. The RS 3 adds a fifth cylinder, half a litre of displacement and 63 kW, and its body sits 25 mm lower than an A3 and 10 mm lower than an S3. Both body styles share the drivetrain, so buyers choose between the Sportback hatchback and the saloon on shape and price alone.

Audi RS 3 generations compared

The first RS 3 Sportback reached customers in spring 2011 with 250 kW (340 PS), a seven-speed S tronic and quattro drive; only about 5,400 were built before the 8P range ended in 2012. The 8V version followed in June 2015 with 270 kW (367 PS) and 465 Nm. The 2017 update brought the saloon, North American sales and 294 kW (400 PS), which has stayed the European output ever since.

The five-cylinder engine and the Performance Edition

The 2.5 TFSI sets the RS 3 apart from every other A3. Its five cylinders fire in the order 1-2-4-5-3, and in the 8Y the peak of 294 kW (400 PS) is spread between 5,600 and 7,000 rpm. Torque rose to 500 Nm in 2021, 20 Nm more than in the 8V, while the 0-100 km/h time fell by 0.3 s to 3.8 s. American cars are rated at 299 kW (401 hp) and use a secondary catalytic converter instead of the petrol particulate filter fitted in Europe.

In October 2022 Audi offered the RS 3 Performance Edition in Europe, limited to 300 cars. Turbo boost rose from 1.5 to 1.6 bar, giving 299 kW (407 PS), and top speed went up to 300 km/h. The cars carry a numbered plaque and a "300" light signature. Their full bucket seats became an option on the regular RS 3 with the 2024 update.

Torque splitter and the Nordschleife records

The 8Y was the first Audi with the RS torque splitter, which varies drive between the two rear wheels and reduces understeer in fast corners. It also enables two RS 3 drive modes: RS Performance for the track and RS Torque Rear, which sends most of the drive to the outside rear wheel. With them, Audi drive select has seven modes.

In June 2021 Audi Sport driver Frank Stippler lapped the Nürburgring Nordschleife in 7:40.748, 4.64 s quicker than the previous compact-class record. For the August 2024 update Audi revised the chassis set-up, the brake torque vectoring and the control software of the adaptive dampers. Stippler then lapped the 20.832 km circuit in 7:33.123, more than seven seconds faster than the 2021 car.

Prices, running costs and rivals

Audi opened orders for the updated RS 3 at the end of August 2024 at EUR 66,000 for the Sportback in Germany; the saloon cost EUR 2,000 more. WLTP figures range from 9.1 to 9.5 l/100 km depending on body and equipment, with 207-217 g/km CO2, which puts both versions in the German CO2 class G.

The nearest rival in the group is the Volkswagen Golf R with a 2.0-litre four of 245 kW (333 PS), which cost from EUR 53,795 in Germany in 2024. Mercedes competes with the AMG A-Class, including the smaller Mercedes-AMG A35. Audi Sport's own range and the S3 are listed in the Audi catalogue, and other fast compacts are ranked in our best hot hatches list.

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