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Audi RS3 Sportback road test report

Sportback

The RS2 Avant of the early ‘90s was the first ultra high performance RS Audi. Since then there have been a couple of RS4s and RS6s, a TT RS and, most recently, the RS5. Now comes the RS3 – an A3 on double-dose steroids for those who reckon that the 265-horsepower S3 doesn’t quite cut it.

Road Test Reports Says 4 star rating
A front-facing image of the Audi RS3 Sportback

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TOM STEWART SAYS

Performance Performance - 5 stars

As mentioned, the current S3 Sportback’s 4-cyl, 2-litre engine makes a very substantial 265PS. Pah! The RS3’s 5-cyl, 2.5-litre TFSI motor makes a whopping 340PS along with 450Nm (332lb/ft) of torque, and this is fed to all four wheels via a dual-clutch ‘s tronic’ transmission. Fortunately the RS3 is quite happy to trundle along in traffic, but anything more than the lightest touch on the throttle peddle will have you pinned to the back of your seat. This thing goes like an F16 from the deck of the USS Enterprise. The quoted figures are 0-62mph in 4.6 secs with a limited top speed of 155mph, although if you could by-pass the limiter then 170mph or more would be on the cards, conditions permitting of course.

Ride & Handling Ride & Handling - 5 stars

The RS3 runs on 19-inch wheels shod with ultra low profile Continental tyres, and its ‘RS Sports’ suspension is necessarily but undeniably firm. Despite this, the ride quality is tolerable at worst, at least on the mostly well-surfaced Austrian roads where the press launch was held. The faster you go the better it gets, but unless you’re on a racetrack then I’d advise caution. Steering, handling, grip and, not least, braking, are all superb and effectively beyond criticism. The RS3 can rip through corners with ruthless efficiency, and due in part to its sophisticated quattro and ESP systems it’s easy, perhaps too easy to drive very, very quickly indeed.

Build Quality & Reliability Build Quality & Reliability - 5 stars

In common with all current Audi’s, it’s pretty much impossible to find fault after a day with the car, especially when it’s a new and immaculately prepared press demonstrator. From the 108 models in the 2011 JD Power customer satisfaction survey, the A3 and S3 models came 32nd equal with 81.3% against an industry average of 79.4%. As a brand, Audi came 8th out of 28 with 81% against an industry average of 79.4%. In the survey’s Small Family Car section the A3/S3 came 6th equal out of 18 with 81.3% and 4 out of 5 stars. All pretty good, but I’m awarding the RS3 the full 5 stars here because I’ve no reason not to.

Safety & Security Safety & Security - 5 stars

The RS3 hasn’t been crash tested by Euro NCAP, but the A3 was tested in 1998 and 2003 where, on the pre-2009 system, it scored 4 out of 5 stars both times for adult occupant protection. Standard safety features include: driver, front passenger and front side airbags, ‘Sideguard’ airbags, ESP (including ABS, EBD, ASR and EDL), a rear acoustic parking system, ISOFIX child-seat preparation and more, although the extreme dynamic capabilities of this model should also be taken into account here. Security is handled by remote central locking and a Thatcham Category 1 alarm and immobiliser, although locking it in a bomb-proof bunker patrolled by armed guards might also be advisable.

Space & Practicality Space & Practicality - 4 stars

There’s little difference here between the RS3 and a common-or-garden A3 Sportback. Despite its power and speed, the RS3 is still a small family 5-door hatchback, with ample space and comfort for four adults. Rear loadspace is quoted at 302 litres with rear split/fold seatbacks upright and a max of 1,032 litres with the rear seats folded. A can of foam sealant sits under the boot’s floor in place of a spare wheel, and if you opt for the full bucket front seats (excellent if you drive fast enough, but at £2,045 for the pair they aren’t cheap) then your rear seat passengers will feel a little cut off from the front. The optional bucket seats don’t make getting in and out any easier either, but the RS3 isn’t for softies.

Ownership & Value Ownership & Value - 4 stars

If you fancy this hottest of hot hatches then you’ll have to wait until they appear on the second-hand market because all of the 500 RHD cars destined for the UK are already spoken for (deliveries start July 2011). An RS3 in standard trim is £39,930 OTR and this price includes a mid-level multi media system with satnav, Bluetooth, single-slot CD player and iPod connectivity, a driver’s info system and manually-adjustable heated sports seats in black nappa leather. Running costs probably won’t be a top priority, but combined fuel consumption is a respectable 31mpg with CO2 emissions at 212g/km, BIK at 32% and a 42E insurance grouping. A 47% 3yr/60,000m residual value is a definite bonus, but unless you do trackdays, hillclimbs or lap the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife circuit in under 9 minutes, then you’ll almost certainly be spending more than you need to.

Submitted: 21/06/2011 13:39:28

ALISDAIR SUTTIE SAYS

Performance Performance - 4 stars

Packing the same engine, gearbox and all-wheel drive transmission as the TT RS, the RS3 is not short on power or pace. It has 335bhp, 331lb.ft of shove and squares away 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds, which is crucially 0.3 seconds quicker than its arch rival from BMW, the 1 Series M Coupe. Unlike the BMW, the RS3 uses a double-clutch gearbox with seven speed and paddle shifters. This helps with acceleration and super-rapid changes, but it’s not as involving as a manual gearbox and the car will always err on the nannying side when changing down. However, to get the best from the RS3, you do need to use the paddle shifters mounted on the rear side of the steering wheel. Even so, and regardless of its impressive 0-62mph sprint, the RS3 doesn’t quite feel as quick as the on-paper figures suggest. It takes that split second longer to react than the BMW 1 M Coupe and the Audi’s engine doesn’t ever quite deliver that killer blow of speed, adrenaline and fun, even when you press the Sport button to sharpen the throttle response. Still, you’ll have no problems overtaking and the Quattro four-wheel drive means there’s barely a peep from the tyres when full power is deployed.

Ride & Handling Ride & Handling - 2 stars

Fast Audis are a hit and miss affair when it comes to this area. Where the R8 is brilliant and the S5 Sportback a superb balance, the TT RS from which the RS3 takes so much of its mechanical parts is not a member of Audi’s A-team. This carries over to the RS3, which also struggles to hide its chassis origins in the previous generation of the Volkswagen Golf. Audi has bolted down the suspension to be as firm as it thinks a super-hot hatch should be, but it only results in a car that jostles and jolts its way from one bump to the next. In town, this is irritating and on the motorway it’s monotonous, but on the country roads where the RS3 should be in its natural hunting ground it’s just plain disappointing. The car skips from bump to lump under power and then squirms under heavy braking, leaving the driver not wholly sure of how much grip is on offer. On perfectly smooth sections of road, the RS3 has stacks of traction thanks to its four-wheel drive and electronic differential lock, but steering that is way too short on feel and sensitivity further dims the line of communication between car and driver. At least refinement is good in normal driving, so the RS3 is capable of being used as an everyday car despite its supercar-bating pace.

Build Quality & Reliability Build Quality & Reliability - 5 stars

It’s an Audi, need we say more? Go on, then, we will. Every surface, panel, plastic and stitch in the RS3 is flawless and goes some of the way to justifying this car’s considerable price tag. We have no doubt the engine and other mechanical parts will carry on long into the future without hassle or concern.

Safety & Security Safety & Security - 5 stars

The RS3 comes with driver, passenger, twin front and side airbags, as well as active head rests for front passengers. There’s a trio of three-point seat belts in the back seat, while reversing parking sensors are standard. Isofix child seat mounts are fitted to the front passenger and rear seats. Electronic stability and traction control combines with the electronic differential lock to curb wheel spin and untoward behaviour, while anti-lock brakes are fitted. An alarm, immobiliser and deadlocks keep thieves at bay.

Space & Practicality Space & Practicality - 3 stars

As a five-door hatch, the Audi RS3 is more practical than many three-door hot hatches, but much of this advantage is lost due to the front sports bucket seats. They are very comfortable and supportive for those sitting in them, but their shape pinches vital rear kneeroom in the back, rendering the rear seats only for children. However, the rear bench can be folded and is split 60/40 to extend the normal boot space from 302-litres to 1032-litres. Back in the front, the heavily bolstered driver’s seat keeps the driver in place on even the tightest corner and has height adjustment. The steering wheel moves for height and reach, but the driving position in the RS3 is a little too high-set and leaves the driver feeling perched on rather than sat in the car.

Ownership & Value Ownership & Value - 3 stars

Given the Audi RS3’s incredible performance, the engine, all-wheel drive and generous standard equipment list, its price tag is not so hard to comprehend. However, this rarefied compact Audi RS model will struggle to justify its sticker price to all but the most hard-core Audi enthusiasts as it does not satisfy on the driving front in the way a BMW 1 M Coupe does. There are also cars at half the price that offer much more than half the abilities of the RS3. However, the dedicated few should keep RS3 values high, as witnessed by the lengthy waiting list. Running costs will be high for a small hatch, though average for the serious performance car the RS3 must be considered as. Fuel economy works out at an average of 31.0mpg and carbon dioxide emissions come in at 212g/km, both of which better the BMW 1 M Coupe’s, while a three-year, 60,000-mile warranty is standard. Also standard are leather upholstery, climate control, heated front seats, Sport button, rear parking sensors, CD stereo with MP3 connection, electric windows all-round and 19-inch alloy wheels. There are also plenty of options, including different alloy wheels, uprated interior trim pack, rain-sensing wipers, Bose stereo, climate control and rear privacy glass.

Submitted: 02/08/2011 08:29:29

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