2016 Audi RS3 review: the hot hatch supercar slayer

[Express]

2016 Audi RS3 review: the hot hatch supercar slayer



25 November, 2015





The RS3 is a performance monster with hatch practicality.


Harry Tucker
news.com.au


TECHNOLOGY is amazing. You only need to look back 10 years ago at supercars of the time, legends such as the Ferrari 360 or the V8 Audi R8. These cars were, and still are performance monsters, they’re supercars that kids poster on their wall.

These cars with their 4.4 second 0-100 sprint time set you back up to $400,000 when they were released, but now, for less than the price of a Toyota LandCruiser, you can buy a car that’s even quicker.

Audi’s RS3 is the latest in a new line of ‘hyper hatches’, where the recipe is to chuck as much power as you can into the bonnet of a hatchback and tack on some other go-fast bits so it can go around corners at speeds that break the laws of physics. The RS3’s take on this is an absolute crack of a turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine that puts out 270kW of power and 465Nm of torque. It puts all that power down through a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox and Quattro all-wheel drive that helps it to propel from 0-100km/h in 4.3-seconds. Faster than a V8 Audi R8, and faster than a Ferrari 360. That’s one bloody quick hatchback.

Thanks to its odd number of cylinders and how the car activates them, the RS3 even has a sound to match. When you turn it on, the car roars to life, waking up anyone sleeping within a 5km radius with a mixture of exhaust growls and grin-inducing pops and crackles.



Perfect for fanging the back roads after dropping the kids off. Source: Supplied


That same aural enjoyment continues when you’re driving. Flatten the throttle to hear it belt out a glorious five-cylinder tune and crackle away on up-shifts. It’s a different sound though, it’s not a deep burble like a V8 or a raspy sound of a screaming four-cylinder, it’s kind of a mixture of both and might just be my favourite sounding car this side of a Lexus LFA. It could even be too intoxicating of a sound - you’ll soon find yourself addicted with the temptation to be flooring it at every point possible.

But in those situations that you can actually plant your foot and drive it with some gusto, the RS3 is spectacular. The Quattro system gives you ample amounts of grip, so much so that you would have to significantly go out of your way to lose it around a bend. The amount of pace you can take through the corner is simply staggering, with precise and well weighted steering helping you to point it into the next corner.

Once you’re done with your fun, you can flick back out of dynamic and sport modes into comfort and the car is transformed into something much more acceptable for a daily driver. The exhaust flaps close to near silence, and if you have the optional Audi RS performance pack, the magnetic ride suspensions softens the car right up. Trust me, if you want to be using this as a daily driver, you’ll want to spend that extra $6490 on the performance package which also includes bigger wheels.

In terms of fuel usage, Audi claims it uses 8.1 litres of premium per 100km, but under our week of mixed use which included city driving, highway driven and some spirited runs, we finished with 10.2 litres per 100km. It’s not exactly the most economical, but as far as true performance cars go it’s definitely better than lot of others.



Nice, but could be nicer. Source: Supplied


On the inside it’s a typical quality Audi affair. Leather all around, with a well laid out centre console and screen that pops up on top of the dash. While it’s certainly not bad, as an RS model you’re left wanting a little bit more, with only special seats setting it apart from the cheaper S3. Being a 2016 Audi model, it would have also been nice to see the inclusion of Audi’s Virtual Cockpit digital dashboard as seen on the new TT, R8 and Q7. The Audi Connect infotainment system also still uses the German company’s proprietary adaptor to plug your phone in, which is frankly unacceptable in today’s cars, especially in something pushing $100k on road.

But in the end, you’re not exactly buying a car like the RS3 for its digital entertainment, you’re doing so for the driving pleasure. And for $78,990, you’re not going to find anything much faster outside of it and its German rival, the Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG.

Hatchbacks are officially supercar slayers and it is glorious.

http://www.news.com.au/technology/in...ea88c17401c4&=

[BA Supa Pursuit]

Driven a relatives S3 sedan on a few occasions. Impressive car for the money .

[blueoval]

Want!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[99AUXR]

So cool, really loving some of Audis cars at the moment.

[Polyal]

Its still alot of money for a hatch no matter how fast it is. I think I would have it over the Merc just for the noise it would make.

But is it $30k better than a Focus RS?

Its probably more interesting that hatches are now so quick, and in most cases the cheapest of that companies line up. Its getting harder for them to push all the other sports cars from a pure performance perspective.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Its still alot of money for a hatch no matter how fast it is. I think I would have it over the Merc just for the noise it would make.

But is it $30k better than a Focus RS?

Its probably more interesting that hatches are now so quick, and in most cases the cheapest of that companies line up. Its getting harder for them to push all the other sports cars from a pure performance perspective.

That's a good point. As far as being quicker its very similar to the Focus RS but at a price premium. Makes you wonder if it's the brand snobs who prefer the Audi over the RS.

[BA Supa Pursuit]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Its still alot of money for a hatch no matter how fast it is. I think I would have it over the Merc just for the noise it would make.

But is it $30k better than a Focus RS?

Its probably more interesting that hatches are now so quick, and in most cases the cheapest of that companies line up. Its getting harder for them to push all the other sports cars from a pure performance perspective.

Just off the top of my head, Automatic trans, magnetic ride control, audi refinement just to name a couple. The S3 I drove is one of those cars your grandmother could drive without having any idea what it is capable of. Put it in dynamic mode, feel it squat and the exhaust note come to life. I guess we won't know for sure until someone does a head to head.

[Wretched]

Originally Posted by Polyal

Its still alot of money for a hatch no matter how fast it is. I think I would have it over the Merc just for the noise it would make.

But is it $30k better than a Focus RS?

Its probably more interesting that hatches are now so quick, and in most cases the cheapest of that companies line up. Its getting harder for them to push all the other sports cars from a pure performance perspective.

Performance wise, probably not, but as a prestige hot hatch, probably.
There is more to the Audi than just on paper, the technology, the quality inside and out (does this model have carbon fibre panels like the previous?) and obviously adding to that price the Australian tax of just cause we can.

I'd get it just for the 5 cylinder engine. To be honest I'd have both the Ford and the Audi. Really no functional compromises for them both.

[Express]

The more popular these hot hatches become the more the other manufacturers will get involved and more the likelihood there will be good examples available at lower prices.

I love the idea of these things as second car alternative to large sedans and SUV’s.

Bring them on and get more of these hatches on the road I say as they can become the new fun weekenders now that many V8’s are starting to price themselves out of the market.

I’m also noticing more and more cars are starting to get the iPad look for the centre screen for which Mercedes-Benz was laughed at just a couple of years back.

[Stefan]

Can you get a Focus RS in Auto? I thought it ws manual only?

Any daily for Sydney traffic would need to be Auto.

[FPV GTHO]

Originally Posted by Stefan

Any daily for Sydney traffic would need to be Auto.

I wouldn't think the types of clutches on these sorts of cars would be that big of a deal.

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by Wretched

I'd get it just for the 5 cylinder engine. To be honest I'd have both the Ford and the Audi. Really no functional compromises for them both.

Agreed on both counts, but the bit in bold is one big reason why id buy one over the RS if money was no option. Have a look at Audi TTRS/RS3 on youtube with Milltek, makes me funny in the pants.

[Mowdit]

Originally Posted by Wretched

I'd get it just for the 5 cylinder engine. To be honest I'd have both the Ford and the Audi. Really no functional compromises for them both.

Part of the reason why we will probably keep our XR5
That 5cyl noise puts a smile on our dial every time

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by Mowdit

Part of the reason why we will probably keep our XR5
That 5cyl noise puts a smile on our dial every time

I had a flame thrower ride in a MK II Focus RS about a year ago. The bark from that 5 potter is still imprinted on my brain.

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by Polyal

But is it $30k better than a Focus RS?

No different than a HSV / SC XR8 versus C63 / M3 / RS6 et al.

A Merc / Audi / BMW is more expensive than Ford / Holden.

RS3 would be a nice rig to punt to work as a daily.

[99AUXR]

I think snobs is the wrong term, as much as just comparing 0-100 times vs price there are other factors. IMO some people the Audi will float there boat so if the can afford it, it will just get financed and if they like the focus they will get that and save themselves the coin. At the end of the day allot of the people buy these performance hatches because some look more appealing to them or they like a badge I mean my blood is blue I can appreciate the audi but I would go the RS cause I love Ford.

And this is what it means to be human and different to one another

[99AUXR]

I really think one of the areas this may win over the focus is the auto. If I wanted a hot hatch it would be my 'GFs Car' and she would need to learn to drive a manual so thats kind of a hard sell for me. This though

And this will consistently be quick whereas 9/10 the bloke in the manual RS will get chopped easily due to gear changes.

[99AUXR]

Correct, manual only.

[Uwish]

100k with a couple of options for a hatch.

[outback_ute]

It would be interesting to see a comparison with the A45, and more interesting again if BMW came out with a 1-series competitor (new 1M?). Stepping down a rung the Golf R32 is closer in concept but lacks power, but as mentioned the manual box will slow down the RS; on the other hand it is a differentiator in the driving experience that some will prefer.

I've ridden in the A45 including on the track, they are pretty quick (faster than an FPV although perhaps not the Miami) but as a passenger at least not that engaging. Maybe the 5-cyl noise would help.

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by outback_ute

I've ridden in the A45 including on the track, they are pretty quick (faster than an FPV although perhaps not the Miami) but as a passenger at least not that engaging. Maybe the 5-cyl noise would help.

Road tests generally have SC 5.0 0-100 at 5.0 sec and A45 at 4.6, doesn't sound much but that makes the A45 alot faster.

An FPV FG F6 is sub 5 second 0-100, the 6T has always been the best performer in the the FPV range.

[blueoval]

Originally Posted by Stefan

Road tests generally have SC 5.0 0-100 at 5.0 sec and A45 at 4.6, doesn't sound much but that makes the A45 alot faster.

An FPV FG F6 is sub 5 second 0-100, the 6T has always been the best performer in the the FPV range.

That's Aurion territory

[outback_ute]

Originally Posted by Stefan

Road tests generally have SC 5.0 0-100 at 5.0 sec and A45 at 4.6, doesn't sound much but that makes the A45 alot faster.

An FPV FG F6 is sub 5 second 0-100, the 6T has always been the best performer in the the FPV range.

I was referring to lap times. The A45 was up around the 210 mark at the end of the straights at Sandown without getting too adventurous in the braking zones, I can't remember exactly what the F6 did but perhaps a touch slower. I am fairly sure the A45 was a couple of seconds per lap faster even though the F6 had R compound tyres.

Isn't the alloy block, lower deck height Miami engine basically the same weight as the turbo six?

Getting back to the Audi, the RS3 apparently runs just under 20 psi boost, compared to the A45 at about 28 psi and the Focus RS 23psi, which shows the effect of the extra displacement. Agreed on the sound, the Audi 5 cylinder warble is fantastic.

[chopstar87]

Originally Posted by Stefan

Road tests generally have SC 5.0 0-100 at 5.0 sec and A45 at 4.6, doesn't sound much but that makes the A45 alot faster.

An FPV FG F6 is sub 5 second 0-100, the 6T has always been the best performer in the the FPV range.

Merc has now improved on the 4.6 with the refresh... its down to 4.2secs these days...

I have driven the older A45.. brilliant little pocket rocket!

[FG50T]

Stick a DCT gearbox in an FPV and it would do big numbers too. I'd rather an RS or 695 Biposto.

[TUF_302]

What a nice car!, Audi doesn't seem to make ugly cars or bad performers that's for sure

[Sioso]

I was driving up a back road near home a couple of weeks ago and a cyclist in his 50's or 60's waves me over and said he liked my Golf R he then mentioned he has just ordered a new RS3 - $105K on the road!
I think it's a great car but don't think I could part with that much for it, especially when it hasn't yet proven to be any quicker than a Golf R around a track.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3jWVTKYcP0

[Sprintey]

Audi RS3 4.3
Focus RS 4.6
Merc A45 4.2
Tesla Model X soccer mum kid hauler 3.3
lol

[Express]

Originally Posted by Sioso

I think it's a great car but don't think I could part with that much for it, especially when it hasn't yet proven to be any quicker than a Golf R around a track.

If you were only taking it to the track then you may have a strong point and the same can be said for the appeal of the Focus RS.

All the fast German hatches are over a hundred grand when on road costs are included.

The $78,990 for the RS3 is the Manufacturer’s Recommended List Price not the drive away.

Even my 135i Coupé cost me $105k with just a few options.

At that price point you are also buying into a market aimed that those who are willingly to pay for the extras that makeup a premium car and to get that you are also slugged with the German Tax mark up.

They are all strong in the performance stakes, it just depends on whether you want anything more than that.

[99AUXR]

Firstly its an SUV
Secondly from what I have seen pricing is set to be 150-200k in Australia.
Thirdly not all local substations support the charging.
Lastly it has no sound, these hatches sound so TOUGH!
lol