New Audi RS3 revealed: king of the hot hatches?
August 20, 2024 by Jamie Edkins
Car changing is a big deal
This is the new Audi RS3. It’s sporting some visual tweaks, and the chassis has been fettled for improved handling.
- New Audi RS3 revealed
- Updated version of flagship hot hatch
- Minor styling tweaks
- No more power than before
- Tweaked suspension yields Nurburgring lap record
- On sale in September from £59,510
The Audi RS3 has been given a nip and tuck makeover to keep it looking fresh, however the 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine isn’t any more powerful than before.
The main changes have been made to the suspension to improve handling, and as a result it’s now the fastest car in its class around the Nurburgring. Take that Mercedes-AMG A45 S.
New Audi RS3 design
Visually speaking the new Audi RS3 hasn’t changed an awful lot, however there have been a few tweaks to keep it looking fresh.
Starting up front, the lower bumper has a slightly different vent design and there are slightly slimmer headlights with a new daytime running light design. The grille has also been fettled with a blacked-out Audi badge.
As before you can choose between saloon and hatchback body styles, and there are some new alloy wheel designs to choose from. Moving to the rear you’ll find new tail lights, and there’s a much larger rear diffuser than before.
New Audi RS3 engine and performance
The new Audi RS3 still uses a 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine, and it’s no more powerful than the outgoing car.
This means you still have 400hp and 500Nm of torque on tap, which goes to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It may be 21hp down on the Mercedes-AMG A45 S, however it’s only one tenth of a second slower to 60mph. The Audi will do 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds.
New Audi RS3 suspension and chassis
It may be no more powerful than before, but the new Audi RS3 is a lot faster around a track. It actually beat the Nurburgring record for compact cars by over five seconds, completing a lap of the fearsome circuit in 7:33 minutes.
It has a new torque splitter which can vary the power distribution between the rear wheels to maximise grip, and it can brake the inside wheel to slingshot you around a bend. The standard tyres have also been upgraded, and some super sticky semi-slicks are available as an option.
New Audi RS3 interior
The overall interior design of this new Audi RS3 is pretty much the same as the outgoing car, although there is a new sports steering wheel taking centre stage.
There are also some new bucket seats, and Audi has gone to great lengths to make sure the cabin smells nice. No, really. The leather and plastics used in the cabin have been tested under various conditions to make sure they smell high quality – whatever that smells like.
New Audi RS3: when can I buy one?
The new Audi RS3 will be available to order in September this year, and it’s gone up in price by a few thousand pounds compared to the outgoing car.
The hatchback starts from £59,510, around £4,000 less than a Mercedes-AMG A45 S. The saloon version will set you back £60,510.
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