Photoshoot of the Week: March 2nd-8th 2020 – Sam & Audi RS3

The Audi RS3 is one of the greatest subcompact performance sedans of our time: the 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo in the RS3 has been available here for a few years now, and with 394 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque, it’s a firm favorite for those who aren’t energized by the prospects of a BMW M2 Competition. However, it’s no budget car with prices starting at over $56,000. That said, its unique engine note and undeniable capability on all surfaces make it one of the most usable performance cars available. All four wheels get some of the brilliant engine’s output, which is managed by a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Unlike the Bimmer, no manual option is available, but those who have sampled the S-tronic won’t be too perturbed.
The RS3, and the A3 on which it is based, are due for a complete redesign soon, so for now, little has changed. The 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system that was formerly an option is now included as standard, but aside from that, the RS3 is identical in 2020 guise to the 2019 model. Carbon-ceramic brakes have, however, been dropped from the options list.
Essentially this facelift brings the RS3 in line with the recently updated A3 so you now get LED headlights (with optional Matrix upgrade) and the 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit digital instrument panel with configurable displays. The suspension is 25mm lower than the A3 and there’s a 20mm wider front track plus the usual RS styling upgrades – honeycomb grille, ‘quattro’ front bumper logo, larger air intakes, flared wheel arches and massive oval tailpipes. Carbon ceramic front brakes are an option, as is the wider-ranging magnetic adaptive damping system, more supportive RS bucket seats and the ‘Audi phone box’ with its wireless charging pad.
The biggest headline, however, is the launch of the RS3 Saloon – the first time Audi has fitted a transverse five-cylinder unit into such a body style. Proportionally it looks like an older, more compact A4 and presents a tempting four-door AWD rival to BMW’s M2.
Besides the tremendous engine, the RS3 comes with a unique red-stitched Nappa leather interior as well as 19″ 5-arm wheels, full LED headlamps, RS-specific fascias and diffuser and magnetic ride suspension. Safety features on all the A3 models include anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control and a tire pressure monitoring system. Airbags include advanced driver and passenger front airbags, knee airbags, thorax side airbags as well as side curtain airbags. An anti-theft alarm system comes standard, while Active Lane Assist, Audi Pre-Sense automatic braking and adaptive cruise control are all optional on the A3 Prestige.
The Quattro four-wheel-drive system comes with new software. So while the RS3 could send 100% of its power to the rear axle before this mid-life update, it never felt as aggressively set up as you might hope. In its new guise, the system never has a standard power split. Audi’s engineers say the ratio between front and rear axles constantly varies, to match both grip levels beneath and driver input inside. There’s more power, too, than . The 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine produces a nice round 400PS, or 395hp, which is up 33hp on before. Additionally, the engine is 26kg lighter (thanks to an aluminum crankcase and magnesium oil pan, if you want to geek out).
The top speed is 155mph, but Audi will lift this to 280kph with the right options box ticking. And that’s still limited. For a car this size, it’s frankly bonkers. Its 0-100kph sprint also lives in a more serious part of the market. Audi quotes 4.1sec—0.2sec quicker than the old RS3—and we suspect it’ll dip below that easily. With the seven-speed S Tronic automatic gearbox linked to a launch control system, it’s all dangerously attainable, too.
Sensible numbers—on the new-fangled WLTP system—are 12.63km/L and 216g/km of CO2 emissions.
Prices start at a whisker over £46,000 (P3.08 million) for the Sportback, with the Sedan commanding another £1,000 (P67,000).