Audi's last hurrah for the A3 is this meteoric baby rocket known as the RS3. The smallest, but by no means the least of the brand's who's-your-daddy RS range. We drive this crazy-fast car.

Photos: Low Fai Ming & Joel Tam

If not for the fact that I already knew which car the media had been assigned for test drives, I would not have been able to spot the RS3 at the Audi showroom carpark. Other than the big gaping front air dams and big wheels, it looked like any other A3 Sportback. Not a good thing.

After grabbing the keys, I faced another slight irk - the door handles felt like they were from a car made 10 years ago. Then it dawned on me that it wasn't that far-off, the Audi A3 was indeed first launched 8 years ago. Small thing though, door handles. I was more interested to find out how it really handles!

That's when I was reminded yet again of the car's 'age'. No keyless start or start/stop button here. You slot the key in and crank the engine up yourself. Like you would in a Kia. Waitaminute. Even the latest Cerato has got press-and-go buttons. At this point, I begin to realise that there's ALOT riding on the drive.

So off we go. Initial feel of the car is pretty good. The car feels nimble and agile under my hands at low speeds. It's not pin sharp, but my inputs are reciprocated with accurate responses from the car. The steering does feel a tad numb, but not worryingly so.

I can't wait any longer. I want to know what 340 bhp feels like, so I floor it. Woah! This is a blisteringly quick car. From the lightning quick shifts from the S-tronic gearbox, to the sensational 5-cylinder engine soundtrack, this car is fast, fast, fast. The quattro drivetrain helps keep you in check too, so you can really exploit all that power. There's no doubt this car will smack the smirk off anyone driving a much more expensive sportscar. EVO or STi? No problem. Unless they've got a huge aftermarket turbo under the bonnet, the result will be the same - Germany 1, Japan 0.

Step back into the cabin and the german wins again. Build quality is as usual, fantastic. Although it must be noted that newer Audi models have a more solid tactile feel. The RS3's interior is started to feel dated, and what's more, there's no Sat Nav! In a car that costs this much! Oh well, at least the process of finding your way around will be fun if you do get lost.

Other than that though, the car feels rock solid throughout. The quick 7-speed S-tronic transmission from Audi has always been a joy to shift. The one found in this car is no different. You can swap gears via the paddle-shifters on the steering wheels too.

Red illuminated instrument panels give a sporty edge to the cabin and has always worked on Audis, especially since it matches their RS and S-line branding so well. Their attention to detail is something worth a mention here, and that's another factor in winning over customers who value aesthetics.

Another selling point for the car are these RS sports seats. Fit for long distance driving as well as for spirited driving round a track, these bucket seats were truly a great all rounder. Even the wife didn't complain. We do wonder what the RS sports buckets seats will feel like though...

So how does a car like that fly from nought to a hundred 'k's in supercar-slaying 4.6 seconds? A 340 bhp and 450 Nm powerplant from the TT-RS helps. It doesn't just go fast, it sounds fast too. Activate Sport mode by depressing the "S" button and an exhaust flap opens and the 5-cylinder comes alive with a deeply satisfying roar.

Quite a bit above S$200K, the Audi RS3 is not exactly what you would call value for money. What it is though, is an effectively fast wagon-hatch thingy that can be both practical and great fun. You get teutonic build quality, reliability, handsome (though dated) looks, big 19" wheels, a fantastic engine and a badge that has gained some serious recognition. Old world door handles and no GPS? Maybe a discount can help me live with those a bit better.