Audi RS3 review - Auto Express

[derbigpr500]

Since you mentioned a Megane III RS...its still faster around track despite having 60hp less.

[sav2010100]

GO MAT!! another great review!!

[adnanalagic]

The best hot hatch ever in history!!!

[charles4hl]

WHY YOU NO COME IN AMERICA, WHY YOU NO MANUAL TRANSMISSION !!!

[Mystyfication]

I want one now

[gaz0044]

Is it a TDi or an RS?

[TheVtieg6]

@gaz0044

You seriously asking that?

[gaz0044]

@TheVtieg6 No, my point being they look too similar IMO and that the RS just doesn't look quite special enough.

[danelio]

@gaz0044 read or listen

[gaz0044]

@danelio what?

[bkg031181]

I really wish that Audi didn't make it look so much like an A3 from a distance. Maybe they should have considered a Coupe. It's only when the car approaches you that you notice it's an RS3. The 1M looks much better on the outside but BMW interior is up to shit. I have a 135i coupe & was going to get the 1M but missed out since my dealership only had 2 coming to it and my name was 4th on the list. I wonder which sounds better? I raced the RS3 with my 135i & i felt as if i was looking for parking

[bubz75]

Good review



[kryptomacxc]

they need to make a manual

[hardhaz]

Why are peolple comparing a GTR to and RS3, there both in diffirent leagues...

[spoiler567]

I have driven this car, didn't think it was that fast, gear changes were too slow, steering too light and then bear in mind this car is £40k WITHOUT any extras, it's nearing £50k for a good spec and its still a hatchback, give me a 1M any day.

[onoff314]

@spoiler567 you dont think 4.6 seconds to 100 is fast...

[chikmaginet95]

Got this for my birthday!! Thank you mom and........Wait no thank you ME!!!!!!!

[GodricThe]

why automatic? :(

[Nuani723]

WE HAVE A BUYER!!!! oh wait its not in the usa

[BRUMTOWNTRU]

If I spent 40 to 50 grand on a car that what rs3's are going for I would like it to look like a 50 grand car but it looks just like a s3 you can buy a gtr for 50 grand I no what I would buy

[SwiftHDX]

@BRUMTOWNTRU GTR = £72,000.

[BRUMTOWNTRU]

@SwiftHDX yes was talking about used cars you can buy a nice nearly new gtr for 50 grand and all the rs3 are now sold and are being re sold for 44 to 52 grand my mate at work has just got his rs3 for 51 grand with 3000 miles on it

[SwiftHDX]

@BRUMTOWNTRU It's a great car, and I personally would buy a new RS3 rather than a 2nd hand GTR. The RS3's 5 cylinder engine sounds like a V10, and it performs almost as well as one too. It has great fuel economy (31mpg) and it's very practical. But yeah, the extras can take the price to around £70,000. The GTR is a great car too though, no doubt about that. It attracts too many people though. The RS3 looks simple but stunning at the same time. They're 2 completely different cars anyway.

[TheShorteyy]

I like the 1M more. But I have to admit this car is also brilliant, I would just prefer the 1M I guess.

[ale64567]

stupenda



[scooby142814]

Awesome!

[officechronic]

ugly

[existentialvoid]

its fail - auto, 5 door, too expensive. Bullcrap

[NvidiaGeforceFan]

I just LOVE this sound! A damn nice car!

[seannjacob]

To all those people who think a manual is a true drivers car, name one form of any decent motorsport that still uses a manual. Manuals went out many years ago. Good autos have far surpassed any manual, they shift gears in a fraction of the time a manual can. Move with the times I think

[afsartori]

@seannjacob Motorsport is more concerned with laptimes. That is how they make money. People who prefer manual gearboxes are more concerned with enjoying the interaction with the machine.

[afsartori]

@seannjacob For the same reason there are people today who still enjoy driving old cars. It has nothing to do with being better or worse, but rather being fun.

[MacGyver920]

Looks like an Audi A3.

[retrospex]

bring to US NOW!!!

[Jamzkangster]

I want this car so bad!!!!

[Snipermoewe]

german cars are the best!

[hakeemsofly]

ttrs for me alllll tha wayyyyyyy

[xXCaniArmani]

Auto

[chrisubass]

this car is auto or manual???

[VermicousK]

@chrisubass its an S-tronic 7 speed, so auto for cruising through town, paddle shift for having fun, and with the double clutch I defy anyone to shift manually quicker than this car can.

[chrisubass]

@VermicousK ty!!!

[thekiezer]

@VermicousK

Completely missing the point of driving stick, my friend.

[VermicousK]

@thekiezer I know what you are saying, driver involvement, feel and all that old bollocks, but just because you are using the paddles doesn't mean you lose that interaction. I have had all kinds of manual cars including stuff like the 911RS, and my current S3 is as much fun to drive as well as being very practical to drive every day. I can't wait for the RS3 to arrive, just gutted mine wont be here until next year!

[AndyRoddick969]

did he say it doesnt come in a manual transmission?

[dominoc5]

great car, but overpriced :(

[michiganman326]

@dominoc5 i agree if it was even 5k less it would be so much better

[EricPisch]

@dominoc5 its a bargain when you consider a similarly spec'd R golf or S3 is also 40k, oh and evo have tested them at 4.1 sec 0-60

[dominoc5]

@EricPisch yeah they're all overpriced because they are all VAG cars :P just to much for a little hatchback ^^

[TheVtieg6]

£40k still seems too much for a hatchback

[filipradu21]

this guy is a audi fan all the way.

[suce89rr]

lord of the rings :)

[KleineMurmeln]

BOMB car !

[tagerung90]

i was stoked till I heard it was an automatic.

[eddox94]

who gives a fuck about the car not coming manual? automatic is the future

[scrokostas]

@eddox94 automatic sucks!! you cannot rev and then pop the cluch and either drag race...driving an automatic is like driving a cart

[TheMegaCONARTIST]

There is nothing ordinary about demolishing 1M into pieces, as Audi always does vs BMW.

[staticmajorable]

@TheMegaCONARTIST FUCKING PROTITUTE!!

[TheMegaCONARTIST]

@staticmajorable Were you trying to say something you spastic fag? Hahah hilarious.

[hunker8]

i like to see RS3 3 door version

but more i waiting for the new A3 sedan or A3 coupe and later maybe RS3 coupe :) mmm.....

[carfan3000]

@hunker8 Will be a while for any new normal A3s to be on the road (12-18 months at least with waiting times, etc). Even longer for Audi S3 (probably 3 years to order, 4 to receive it). And hunker8, don't hold your breath for new RS3- it will likely be 5 years to drive one of them (that's if they decide to make it- look what happened to the RS4 saloon- not being made!). Best to try and get the current RS3 or you'll be waiting a while!

[yepitsHugo29]

Audi needs to start selling this in the U.S!

[Zubauskas]

@yepitsHugo29 if you want a real audi, you must buy it in Germany.. cars made in USA or for USA are rubbish.

[MrFrankieFiggz]

@yepitsHugo29 Totally agree with you. Its a shame Audi doesnt bring most of their RS models to the U.S.

[rewwq2]

@yepitsHugo29 they'll limit it

[khairullhafiz]

@TheHaos1  ahahaha. good one! :)

[williehrmann]

@TheHaos1 as a bmw owner i wouldn'T dare to dislike an audi vid, but as a mercedesowner i would surely ;).

[howardflight09]

why get a 3 door.

[Tinydevil12]

the no manual option is a fucking killer

[howardflight09]

@Tinydevil12 Flappy paddle

[Tinydevil12]

@howardflight09

still not stick :/

[00international]

Looks so dull!!!

[buncey1234321]

I would have put the oval exhausts on it if i designed it

[ThePKMNLucario]

Wow that 5 cylinder engine makes an awesome sound :D

[samchez333]

Thats my dream!!!

It has no rivals

[cyclingguy3]

@samchez333 BMW 1 Series M... 340 bhp

[powerslave789]

@samchez333 what cyclingguy3 said. BMW 1 seris M, 340 hp straight six , bi turbo, rear wheel drive and manual transmission.

[zero00z]

Audi is the only company that can make perfect cars

Audi is the name of Perfection !!!

[VerdantM]

@zero00z Totally agree!

[SoooOOOoooOOOoooT]

@Autoexpress What i don't get is that "S" button as there is also an "S" in the gear change..So are u saying that you need to press the "S" button and put the gear into "S" aswell for the Full Sport Mode...?! The vw golf gti does not have a Sport button, but just a Sport/"S" gear change..instead, less of a confusion...what's the difference between the "S" button and the "S" gear in the rs3...?!?!

[dunti21]

@SoooOOOoooOOOoooT The S gear change keeps the revs high all the time, and makes quicker gear changes. The S button, gives a louder exhaust note, stiffer suspension and steering, and if I'm not wrong, puts a bit more power.

[SoooOOOoooOOOoooT]

@dunti21 Cool..Thanx..! ;D

[EricPisch]

@SoooOOOoooOOOoooT S mode on the gearbox is a "sporty" automatic mode, it uses higher revs and hangs on the them for long, in reality you wont use S mode on the box apart from launch control at the lights :) the S button increases steering and throttle response but most importantly its turns on orgasmic noise mode :)

[XscXps3]

Is it a v6?

[ILikeReallyBigButts]

@XscXps3 It says it in the beginning you fucking idiot. 5 cylinder turbo

[AndrewMacedonia]

automatic is gay 

[jlgroovetek]

This guy is getting really good at reviewing cars!

[minibus1351]

future classic i presume? small production number & great engine.

[ARTaken007]

this engine should be in the Golf R

[ilikethingsfromjapan]

330bhp in a shoe?

[symustafa1996]

Audi should go rallying with this.

[jgfunk88]

@symustafa1996 the car is made for smooth surfaces and precision driving and could never be a rally car

[symustafa1996]

@jgfunk88 Audi engineers are smarter than most people. Surely they can manage that?

[jgfunk88]

@symustafa1996 believe it or not this could never be a rally car if it could it already would be

[symustafa1996]

@jgfunk88 Audi just isn't interested in going rallying at the moment. They can go rallying anytime they want. But they are kinda busy with Le Mans.

[kjs2435]

what song is in 0:00?

Audi is the best, I love it!!!

[FebruaryFreezesBlue]

i would buy this over an r8..not a V10 tho ;)

[gavinjamesaitken1]

@FebruaryFreezesBlue really??!? i would buy this and an rs5 instead of r8 but not just an rs3.

[ginjaninja1988]

No 3 door and no manual??? WTF is Audi thinking? Im disapointed. I mean what the hell is a RS model doing with a auto gearbox? Oh yea the RS6..... I hope they bring the RS4 back in manual.

[RareMusicAlbums]

@ginjaninja1988 It's semi auto, has flappy paddles for manual mode

[lardauk]

Seems like somebody get back the R32 VR6 sound in live

[nldubish]

Dude dont compare this awesome car, to an ugly ass 1serie.

[nismo007]

i don't like the car, i just want the engine

[ImHereToAnnoyYou]

Shame there is no 3-door version. Maybe they'll make one once all the 'cool' people have bought up all the TT's...

[Adelante077]

The reason why they wont do a 2door because audi rekons it would hurt the sales of the TT RS.

And it may be £40k but if you think of it it is actually the cheapest audi to wear a RS badge

[DrSlideit]

RS3 sedan anyone!?

[AdrianC12345]

@DrSlideit I'm liking that! Or a 2door shorter version of this.

[spencermel]

is there a 2 door?

[AdrianC12345]

@spencermel No.

[spencermel]

@AdrianC12345 fuck.because it would be lighter and faster and if I was running audi,I would enter it in WRC.

[AdrianC12345]

@spencermel Not to mentionn better loking.

[JamboyStu]

Only Auto? WTF?

[QuattroDon]

The fact that the car is low key is the main factors which influenced my decision to order one. Put an S3 badge on it and no one knows the difference until you put your foot down and they get blown away (not only by the car but by the noise itself).

@ The Eryk03 - the car has the Haldex clutch !

[oooOFireflyOooo]

I've never understood what people got enthusiastic when seeing this car. Tough the performance is incredible for a hatchback, the looks are pretty standard Audi like. It must have a pretty high cw-value as well compared to its rivals.

[HesteBremse]

Nice review and better than the 90 sec´s ones.

And its a really nice package this RS3.

[iTzMattz]

Great review! This better come to N.A. I'm seriously considering this car over a 5 door STi.

[sspope]

LoL QUATTRO

This ain't no quattro. It uses the crappy FRONT WHEEL BIASED Haldex clutch system. The only thing it's good at is helping with traction when going up a snowy hill.

[TheEryk03]

@sspope you moron... read about active sport differential, the RS3 do not have Haldex .

to 80% of the torque goes to the back, if necessary, is added to the front wheels.

[sspope]

@TheEryk03 You moron, only A4 - A8 platforms use the actual quattro system which can be optionally equipped (or comes as standard) with the sport differential. The A3 is based on the Golf platform, a very far cry from a proper Audi.

[drybeerify]

@TheEryk03 Wrong. It's Haldex.

[tri400]

i dont like the door handles.....

[aranarab]

Glad the review is good cause i've ordered an RS3 in black for the wife ;)

[TheRedSunday]

@aranarab only wannabes post things like you in the internet, i bet 100 euro you did NOT order one

[Gabert1k]

at 3:23 car is insanely ugly

although i like the frond, RS grill is really cool thing to have!

[TheVtieg6]

Even with 335bhp i still cant justify spending £40k on a hatchback

[TheCruizer]

Good thing is: the 5 cyl. sounds like a small V10.

[22j77]

@TheCruizer I think the 5 cylinder sounds even better then the V10

[ikeaaron]

@22j77 Agreed! ;)

[EVILSPAWN1000]

@22j77 The group B Audi quattro S1 E2 inline 5.Best sounding engine EVER!In a car SO mental that it even LOOKS scary! Walther Rohrl is a driving GOD,and group B was the best form for racing ever.R.I.P group B

[22j77]

@EVILSPAWN1000 True, the S1 was a beast! I've seen it with Röhrl at the wheel doing a few demo laps on a speedway track. Just loved it!

[EVILSPAWN1000]

@22j77 Check out Marvdogger`s series about the quattro;-)From the A2 to the S1.His channel is a group B goldmine.He has some amazing and rare footage,and has done "series" about the Quattro,Lancia S4,RS200,group B as a whole,tributes....ALL group B. U should really check it out.He`s 20-something,and already a extremly talented "making-TV-shows-and-documenta­rys-4-youtube-guy"

[9090336]

@TheCruizer but i wonder why they didn't give it 6 cyl. i mean you might as well.

[dunti21]

@9090336 do you know anything about Audi history? Take a look, and you'll see why. Hint: Rally

[TheMegaCONARTIST]

Audi RS3 Pure Sophistication, over all other that simple.

[hondacar]

This 4 door looks ridiculously mandane.

At least BMW made the effort to have the new M1 coupe look like something special,not like this supermarket trolley.

The RS Ford is much cheaper yep...badge snobs may say it's a Ford but at least I wouldn't feel cheated that I bought one and most probably would have less reliability problems than the overrated Audis.

[TheMegaCONARTIST]

@hondacar Hahahh you are such an idiot BMW is nothing more but all models look all the same and there is no meaning of what it is for, where in every single Audi it has all you need, comfort, sport, quality in and out, performance, design, technology invention innovation and it demolishes plastic made BMW. Sad BMW supporter hahah BIG FAIL

[TheMegaCONARTIST]

For the rest that mentioned wrx and evo x, hahha you must be dreaming unrealistic dreams Audi RS3 demolishes them in power performance style usability all, wrx and evo hahahah

[trifili1908]

@hondacar You are funny, did you have any Audi in your life to see for yourself how reliability is...Ford is more reliable than Audi....hahaha that's for sure!!

[MrGTR1988]

EVO X will kik ass more

[timtime88]

this is so ugly

[alernest]

THIS CAR IS A LIE!

It is no real quattro even. Its engine isn't longitudinally mounted, torque bias is almost 90% front wheels. It was designed, conceived and built for a CHEAP FRONT-WHEEL DRIVE VW Golf-platform.

Only the Impreza STi and the 130i are true performance hatches.

Let the businessmen spend their illegitimately-earned millions on this piece of supermarket plastic.

[chumpey]

When you consider that you paying £40k for a tarted up Golf/Fabia/Leon (albeit much nicer and faster then those) it does kinda make me think Audi are taking the mick!

Save several grand and get a BMW 1 M coupe! It'll be more fun and won't make you feel cheated!

[madant1977]

@chumpey Well I have a red Leon and compared to, at least an ordinary A3, Leon still looks better outside (and meaner), without any body kits at all. For me it is enough to know that mine is the one that gets all the looks and costs less with similar tech inside :) And if you go for a Coupra R you get speed/handling pretty cheap.

And it is not Fabia in that comparison but Octavia...

[chumpey]

@madant1977 Ah yes, right you are! Octavia not Fabia, silly Chumpey!

The Leon is awesome. I actually convinced a friend of mine to buy one instead of an A3 and he did. He had it for 5 years and was very happy with it. I think the Leon is the best use of the chasis/base car. As you say: you get all of the looks, tech etc... without getting ripped off!

[Turbulence654321]

I would like to see it race a Cayman S PDK

[Tailpipe26]

Excellent review, excellent car. £40K for a car that accelerates faster, more practical, and is easier to drive than a porsche 911 Carrera S? Seems like a no brainer to me. Don't like the fact that A3 range is no within months of replacement, but since there'll be no other A3 with a 5-cylinder engine for at least 3 years, I guess it stacks up.

[dagnut]

@Tailpipe26 Your obviously not in the market for a 40k car.

[ludicer]

@TheVasquez112 a cock is like a asshole or a douchebag

[minibus1351]

Renault Clio Cup RS Gordini? ha. I'll take it.

[ukpenn]

Sound distortion exploded my ear drums! :(

[nikothecrazygreek]

in the ttrs there is only a maual available the same should be for the rs3 automatics are for the terribled drivers! if anything it should at liest be an option

[blazinza]

or u could buy a a ford focus for $26,000, put $10,000 more in it and own this thing, .......maybe? -although this car looks badass.

[NiallatUTube]

@blazinza yeah but it would still be a Ford!

[TheEryk03]

Audi is the best.

[TurboTurker]

the WRX STI is better.

[NiallatUTube]

@TurboTurker how? Not in the cabin materials quality department it isn't.

Not better in the everyday versatility either, because the WRX is a bit too raw, and I know that because two colleagues own them.

[TurboTurker]

@NiallatUTube Well the cabin is made out of suede and leather, it has sat-nav, so you cant say its poor quality. i actually prefer the STI's interior.

it is just as versatile as well, 5 doors and a huge boot.

it is faster and cheaper. the whole point of the RS3 is to be fast. if not then you would just get the A3/S3.

the subaru is actually better in every way i can think of. i am not just saying that to hate on audi, i like audi's and the RS3 is very nice, and it is still a very quick car.

[Karto86]

R5 bitcheeeees:)

[kilove1]

wow ,if this car could ever come to the usa... i begg to buy one its just the right pakage for and active lifestyle.......0-60 in 4.6 sec and a userble back seat beautiful interior...

[Gangreen167]

@kilove1 NOt for no freaking $66,000!!! THAT'S INSAME!!!!

[iPhaeton]

@kilove1 Also faster than an Audi R8 V8 Spyder by .2 of a second ;]

[scrokostas]

@kilove1 it won't come to america for 2 reasons:1) it is very powerful for america's standar so audi must reduce the hp which will cost extra money to the audi which is the last thing audi wants now and 2) only manual version..americans can't drive manual cars only automatic!

[lionelmtb88]

@scrokostas Only manual...? You mean only Automatic/S Tronic... It doesn't come in manual..

[scrokostas]

@lionelmtb88 bet?

[lionelmtb88]

@scrokostas "RS 3 Sportback comes with a 7-speed S tronic gearbox" directly from audi.co.uk

[mojojojo911]

Man I wish the RS5 was this cheap. ahhh....

[CalvinS63]

Great review, GREAT car but awful reviewer!

[sarokas12]

@CalvinS63 why do you say that??