Audi has taken its smallest RS model and given it a nip, a tuck, and a dash of Nürburgring black magic.
It’s still the same four-door hooligan we’ve grown to love, but now it’s angrier, pointier, and, dare I say, finally embracing its inner madman while still remembering to say “please” and “thank you” at the lights.
Facelift, Not a Face-Off
From a distance, you’d be forgiven for thinking not much has changed. The oval exhausts are still there like twin howitzers tucked neatly under its rear, and the silhouette is as taut as ever.
Audi fiddled with the front and rear bumpers, introduced more gloss black than a K-pop comeback stage, and sharpened the lights to give it an even more aggressive snarl. There’s even a central vertical reflector now, which Audi claims is part of the new “RS DNA”. Presumably, that DNA also enjoys setting lap records.
City Slicker, Country Brawler
Around town, the RS3 is remarkably well-mannered. In Comfort mode, the adaptive suspension soaks up bumps with the sort of grace that belies its 3.8-second century sprint time.
Yes, it’s firm. Yes, it reminds you that it’s wearing sporty boots. But it never feels punishing. In fact, it’s arguably more composed than some mass-market hatches.
Out of town, though, is where it flips the switch. The Jekyll-and-Hyde transformation is immediate; flick it into Dynamic or RS Performance mode and the RS3 becomes delightfully unhinged.
Steering sharpens, the quattro system tightens its grip, and the engine, that glorious five-pot, sings a battle hymn straight from Ingolstadt’s playbook.
The Engine That Time Forgot
Audi’s 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder is a masterpiece. It doesn’t roar so much as it howls a rasping, layered growl that feels alive in your hands. There’s character here, the kind of mechanical theatre you don’t get with four-cylinder rivals. The AMG A45 S might be faster on paper, but the RS3 feels like it’s working with you, not just beneath you.
Sure, the seven-speed S tronic can be caught napping if you surprise it. But take control with the paddles, and it responds like a well-trained sparring partner.
The torque is relentless. The confidence, reassuring. And the soundtrack? Spine-tingling.
The RS3 also comes with a torque splitter. It sounds like a Marvel villain, but it’s actually the secret sauce behind the RS3’s newfound agility. Essentially, it allows the rear axle to individually control torque to either wheel, meaning you can shift up to 50% of power side to side. Less understeer, more tail-wagging fun.
Audi’s even fitted a drift mode. In the pre-facelift RS3, this was more novelty than necessity. Now, however, the system feels more intuitive, more natural. You can coax the rear end out without summoning a flash flood of warning lights. It’s still a compact saloon, but it dances with the confidence of something wearing Italian shoes.
Grown-Up Goth
Step inside, and the RS3’s interior is largely business as usual, with a few helpful upgrades. The 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit remains the digital pièce de résistance, now offering torque split readouts, g-meters, and enough telemetry to rival an F1 garage.
Audi’s infotainment interface, while still neat and responsive, is starting to feel its age. The 10.1-inch screen does its job, but it won’t make your passenger gasp. Still, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and thankfully, Audi’s kept the physical climate controls, proof they haven’t completely lost the plot.
Materials are plush, as expected. Nappa leather comes standard, with an option for eco-conscious Dinamica microfibre or full RS bucket seats if you feel like pretending every drive is a qualifying lap.
Rear passenger space is neither palatial nor pinched. Boot space takes a 50-litre hit compared to the previous generation thanks to the torque splitter hardware, but unless you’re planning a trip to IKEA or smuggling home gym equipment, the 282 litres in the Sportback should do just fine.
Mad, But Methodical
The 2025 Audi RS3 is a car that’s finally found peace with its identity. It no longer tries to out-AMG the AMG, nor does it pretend to be a BMW M2 with four doors. It’s its own thing now, a blend of surgical German precision and just the right splash of lunacy.
It’s fast. It’s sharp. It’s clever. And most importantly, it’s fun. A confident, capable compact warrior with a soundtrack to match. More of this, please, Audi.
Technical Specifications
Audi RS3
Engine: 2.5-litre in-line 5, Turbocharged
Drivetrain: All-Wheel Drive
Power: 394 bhp
Torque: 500 Nm
Gearbox: 7-Speed S Tronic
0-100km/h: 3.8 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 250 km/h
Fuel Tank Capacity: 55 litres
Fuel Economy: 10.2 km/litre (claimed)
Price: S$400,999 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)
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