Car review: Audi RS3

appeared on an Audi road car in the UK, and it’s hard to imagine the

effect it would have on the perception of the brand.

A few World Rally Championships helps of course, but it was always the road cars that were

at the heart of the philosophy, giving the security of traction and grip

in all weathers.

Over the years the Quattro tag has been applied to every car in the

range - even the latest addition - the baby A1 - will eventually benefit

from the high-tech transmission. But it is the performance cars that

truly get across the point, and the latest slice of compelling evidence

is the RS3.

Based on the existing A3 Sportback, a premium hatchback that has been a

frequent sight on UK roads, the RS3 gets a serious dose of aggression

and attitude to turn it into a bona-fide performance car.

The RS tag signifies the highest level of performance and it inherits the 2.5-litre

five-cylinder turbocharged powerplant already seen in the TT RS: the

five-cylinder configuration is extremely rare in modern cars and is a

nod to the distinctive-sounding five cylinder unit from the original

Quattro.

Developing a serious 335bhp backed up by 331lb.ft of torque,

the RS3 puts its power down through the fiendishly-clever S-tronic

seven-speed gearbox through to the quattro four-wheel drive system.

It also looks the business. While a completely standard A3 Sportback is

tasteful and relatively restrained, the RS treatment brings deep,

aggressive spoilers and air intakes, chunky alloy wheels and a

purposeful stance thanks to the lowered suspension.

The inside is special too: even though it shares a cabin with lesser versions there is

plenty of leather, suede and superb bucket seats.

But a car like this is all about the driving experience. Firing up the

RS3 brings a deep, purposeful burble from the exhaust, and a distinctive

one at that thanks to the five-cylinder configuration. Slot the

transmission into Drive and it will roll happily along, the large band

of torque making life very easy for the driver.

It takes no more effort to drive in this manner than any other Audi, and from the driver’s seat

you could be forgiven for thinking it was a relatively humble machine.

It only takes a moment to reveal the flip side however. For the full

effect the transmission needs to be switched to manual mode and the S

button pressed, which activates a sound flap in the exhaust and also

changes to a more aggressive throttle map. Start to squeeze the

accelerator and the response is immediate, a distinct deepening of the

exhaust note is accompanied by a rapid and prolonged burst of

acceleration.

The engine note increases in complexity and resonance as

the rev counter closes in on the red line, all the while the speedometer

is reading off ever-higher numbers. Flick the right paddle behind the

steering wheel and the RS3 effortless switches up a gear, and the engine

performs its brilliant act once again.

Squeeze the brakes hard and speed is effortlessly shrugged off, and the

stiff suspension keeps everything on an even keel. The steering responds

quickly and accurately to inputs, but it is the traction from the

quattro system that allows you to exploit all the power much readily than in any two-wheel drive car.

You have to trust the system andbelieve in the physics because it’s hard to get your head around what

this car is capable of - press the throttle hard and early and you are

catapulted out the other side in a blur.

It may be a simple recipe, but the combination of characterful engines, sharp and sophisticated chassis with a handsome and purposeful design is a delightful one to savour.

The RS3 will be more limited than most too, with just a few hundred examples reaching the UK later this year. But

for the lucky few, it will be a car to savour. By Matt Joy

FACTS AT A GLANCE

Model: Audi RS3, �40,000 (TBC).

Engine: 2.5-litre petrol producing 335bhp and 331lb.ft of torque.

Transmission: Seven-speed dual clutch automatic driving all four wheels.

Performance: Top speed 155mph (limited), 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds.

Fuel economy: 31mpg.

Emissions: 212g/km.