Audi RS3 review and India launch details, RS 3 performance, handling – Introduction

Audi has been on an electrical onslaught in India with the e-tron fashions. The final RS was an EV within the type of the violent however silent RS e-tron. Now, although, the grapevine has it that Audi is contemplating getting into the recent hatch section with the newborn RS – the RS 3.

And never simply that, Audi is anticipated to usher in the RS 3 in each hatchback and sedan types as a double whammy for Merc’s child rocket – the AMG A forty five S. The RS 3 packs within the legendary 5-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, over 400hp and a secret trick (discover out in a bit) underneath its sleeve that transforms its character. We drive it in Spain to get a touch of what to anticipate subsequent yr.

2025 Audi RS 3 design

At first look, the RS 3 carries all the standard Audi cues, with straight traces and a critical look. The sharp LED headlamps characteristic 4 varieties of DRL themes, together with a racy, chequered flag look to go together with the character. The huge and gloss black hexagonal grille takes up a majority of the true property up entrance, with air intakes on the aggressive-looking bumpers and a few carbon-fibre bits to maintain weight down.

The profile (on this case, the sedan) seems to be modern and beautifully proportioned. Followers of the three-box design will admire the steadiness and delicate use of traces, and the 19-inch wheels do the trick and slot in very nicely. Wrapped round them are Pirelli P-Zero R tyres, that are commonplace, however one also can go for the extra track-focused TrofeoRs for greatest monitor efficiency. You’d additionally discover flared wheel arches that additionally characteristic vents inside for higher aero. There may be carbon fibre on the ORVMs and door sill, too.

19-inch alloys and a low tyre profile.

On the rear, the one shouty bits, pun supposed, are the oval exhaust suggestions poking out. Wrapped round them is a gloss-black diffuser with some extra carbon fibre. LED tail-lamps add a remaining contact of glitz. There may be additionally a carbon-fibre spoiler, and on condition that that is an RS, there’s not a speck of chrome to be seen. You need bling? Follow the As.

2025 Audi RS 3 inside and options

Inside, the RS 3 is all about sportiness, due to a blacked-out inside that’s bathed in Race-Tex and leatherette. It will get sports activities seats as commonplace, however Audi additionally presents carbon-fibre bucket seats (as seen on the take a look at automobile right here) as an choice. The latter maintain you tight in place and really feel like a pleasant, heat hug. That mentioned, whereas the help and bolstering are unimaginable, the cushioning has a softness that leads to higher consolation, too. Extra on that in a bit. Then, now we have the steering that will get a flat prime and backside, together with devoted buttons for Efficiency and RS modes. The steering-mounted controls are on a haptic touchpad, however fortunately, the centre console options correct bodily buttons for fundamental controls.

Carbon-fibre bucket seats are massively supportive and in addition very well-cushioned.

There is no such thing as a dual-screen structure right here like on the larger Audis, only a fundamental 10.1-inch touchscreen with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and all of the options you’d count on. The AC vents, media controls and auxiliary features all have devoted buttons which are very straightforward to make use of. There may be additionally a sweet-sounding, high-end SONOS audio system, however nothing that may prime the candy and raspy exhaust be aware of the five-cylinder engine.

Within the again, the RS 3 struggles for room, particularly when you measure over six ft. The kneeroom is at a premium, and whereas there’s some area underneath the entrance seats on your ft, the quick squabs rob away under-thigh help as nicely. The headroom is nearly sufficient, and a hump within the centre prevents a center passenger from sitting comfortably, thereby making it a four-seater realistically. There are AC vents and charging provisions, however you’d be cozy within the rear just for quick journeys.

Not spacious within the rear: two adults can nearly match, and three can be very tight.

The boot area within the sedan is an honest 321 litres, with 281 litres for the hatchback model.

2025 Audi RS 3 efficiency

A 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with 400hp and 500Nm powers the RS 3, and whereas 400hp might sound low for an RS badge, the 1.5-tonne weight means the power-to-weight ratio is a wholesome 255hp per tonne. 0-100kph takes simply 3.8 seconds, and the highest velocity is locked at 250kph – sturdy numbers and a really spectacular reality sheet, however the RS 3 is all in regards to the expertise from behind the wheel. The raspy exhaust of a five-cylinder is distinctive even when idling. However get going, and the sound simply will get higher and higher because the needle climbs. On a race monitor in efficiency mode, the RS 3 can utilise a variety of that 400hp, however the true shock is how adept the engine feels out on the streets. The 7-speed gearbox mellows down, the shifts are easy, and the engine dials down the adrenaline; it could possibly putter round with little drama. Nonetheless, the strengths of the RS 3 may be present in corners.

The 5-cylinder engine sounds wonderful and has loads of energy.

 

2025 Audi RS 3 dealing with and experience high quality

With regards to tech on the RS 3, Audi took their very personal “VorsprungdurchTechnik” (progress by expertise) very severely certainly. It would appear to be a fundamental job for a lightweight automobile with a robust engine, however hidden away is unimaginable tech that helps put all that energy down. The RS 3 additionally holds the document in its class on the Nürburgring, with a time of seven minutes and 33 seconds, which is clearly faster than its predecessor. However extra importantly, it’s a whopping 15 seconds faster than the Mercedes-AMG A forty five S. The explanation? A brand new torque vectoring system, which permits for variable torque on the rear axle. Basically, the ability that goes to the rear wheels may be altered relying on which wheel wants it extra. It makes use of information from the steering angle, throttle place, wheel-speed sensor and the dealing with gods to rotate the automobile higher on its axis and completely negate any understeer. As the surface wheel will get extra energy, it brakes the inside wheel to keep away from grip losses and acquire higher management. Aside from this complicated Quattro system, there’s something referred to as “RS Torque Rear mode”, which sends practically all the energy to the rear wheels and permits for managed slides like a full-blown RWD automobile. It’s just like the Drift Mode you get on the A forty five S, however for the reason that energy goes primarily to the rear, it’s much more pure.

Few vehicles are as enjoyable to drive because the RS 3. You possibly can hoon it round a monitor and in addition use it as a each day driver.

Whereas the tech for dealing with is spectacular, the suspension can be accountable for lots of the developments. The RS 3 will get RS Sport suspension with adaptive dampers, which, in Dynamic mode, ensures the automobile is stage and caught to the tarmac for greatest traction. Nonetheless, out on the street and cobbled streets, Consolation mode adjustments its nature and leads to a comparatively comfortable experience, with not one of the typical harshness that you simply see from low-slung sizzling hatches or small efficiency sedans. This can be helpful in India, the place you’ll be able to have the suspension in Consolation and the engine in Dynamic. However we’ll take a look at that after the automobile makes it ashore.

2025 Audi RS 3 verdict and estimated worth 

Torque Rear mode powers solely the rear wheels and may induce drifts.

Costs for the RS 3 are anticipated to vary between Rs 85 lakh and Rs 90 lakh, and the truth that there can be two variations within the type of the hatchback and sedan is just music to our ears. After a plethora of silent EVs with faux sounds, a correct sizzling hatch comes as a breath of contemporary air. However the RS 3 is greater than only a quick and loud little automobile. It’s a automobile that yearns to be taken out and pushed. One exception for which you don’t thoughts waking up early, escaping town and having a blast on a ribbon of tarmac. Regardless of how loopy EVs get with their sharp seems to be and AI-generated sounds, a 1-2-4-5-3 firing sequence will at all times have them on toast.

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