Price, performance, styling
Interior similar to S3, Suspension a little harsh on back roads
The all-new second generation 2015 Audi RS3 is the cheapest ever RS model to go on sale in Australia.
The cracking hot hatch already has 350 orders in the bank before its been released in Australia. Audi Australia holds high hopes that Audi RS3 will become the best selling RS model in Australia.
From what we sampled in Tasmania at the national launch we expect to see the Audi RS3 popping on numerous “Car of the Year” lists in the next few months.
2015 Audi RS3 Overview
The Audi RS3 sits at the top of the Audi A3 range and without options it is price from $78,900 (plus on roads).
Buyers who are willing to part with just over $80k on a small hot hatch will be rewarded with fire breathing all-wheel drive street legal weapon.
The 2015 Audi RS3 comes with a long list of standard features with the highlights including: LED headlights with LED daytime running lights and LED tail lights, MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, parking assist with rear view camera, 19-inch alloy wheels in 5-arm rotor design, Digital Radio reception (DAB+), Bluetooth and Dual-zone climate control.
Also helping the Audi RS3 distinguish its self from the Audi S3 is a host of “RS” features like RS specific front and rear bumpers, side sill trims and diffuser insert, RS’ tuned sports suspension, RS’ sports exhaust system with dual oval tailpipes and inside ‘RS’ sport front seats with electric lumbar support.
2015 Audi RS3 Engine
The Audi RS3 2.5-litre engine produces 270kW and 465Nm with a 0-100km/h sprint taking only 4.3 seconds.
Drive is via the 7-speed S tronic automatic transmission and is matched to Audi’s specially RS-tuned quattro all-wheel drive system.
The Audi RS3 engine measures just 49 centimetres long, and weighs around 180 kilograms. With its 1-2-4-5-3 cylinder activation sequence giving the Audi RS3 an instantly recognisable sound.
The engine will launch the Audi RS3 to a top speed of 280km/h and its fuel consumption is a claimed 8.1 litres per 100km. On our 255km journey from Launceston to Hobart we managed a respectable 12.2 litres per 100km.
The exhaust note on the Audi RS3 is thing of beauty, when you jump hard on accelerator or when changing down gears we just cant get enough of the engine symphony that is played
2015 Audi RS3 Interior
Jump inside the Audi RS3 and you are greeted with the usual high level of sophistication that we have come to expect from the luxury German brand.
However we wonder if the RS3 could have revived just a tad more bling. We would like to the he interior be a little more cutting edge than its Audi S3 sibling.
Saying all of the Audi RS3 still comes with leather seats, large pop-up screen, room for 5 and sporty multifunction steering wheel.
There is also DAB radio, dual zone climate control but unfortunately no Apple Car Play or Android Auto.
2015 Audi RS3 Exterior and Styling
The old Wolf in sheep clothing pops to mind when you first looks at the 2015 Audi RS3. To the untrained eye the Audi RS3 may just look like any other S3 on the road.
However those with an attention to detail will notice that the Audi RS3 has a single frame grille with honey chrome look, there is also a large “Quratto” emblazoned below the grille, which is underlined by a large silver air deflector.
The front and rear fenders have been widened to give a sportier more muscular look.
Large chrome oval tailpipes dominate the rear and are responsible for delivering that beautiful crackle and pop from the engine to the outside world.
Lighting the way are a set of LED headlights with LED daytime running lights and LED tail lights
The Audi RS3 sits on 19” alloy wheels the come in a 5-arm rotor design with 235/35 rubber getting that power and grip on to the road,
2015 Audi RS3 On the Road
Fire-up that orchestral sounding 2.5litre engine and be ready to be amazed at the performance that is hidden under the bonnet.
Bury your right foot into the firewall and the Audi RS3 will launch its self in a blink of an eye. Arrive at your first corner and the Audi RS3 will make you feel like a driving expert thanks to the Quattro all-wheel drive system that helps you in and out of the corners at speed.
Jumping on the brakes and the Audi RS 3 is pulled up by brake discs that measure 370 millimeters in diameter at the front and 310 millimeters at the rear and they are gripped by eight-piston fixed calipers painted black (red optional) with RS logos. There are also optional front carbon fibre-ceramic brake discs that measure 370 millimeters and are gripped by anthracite gray calipers.
One thing you will notice is that the Audi RS3 feels as if it’s travelling at 30 to 40 kilometers below the signposted speed limit. After driving over a high-speed mountain loop and getting back on to the 110km/h highway just out of Launceston felt a lot slower than what our digital speedo was showing.
The beauty of the Audi RS3 is it ability to go from happy little commuter car to street legal racecar at the flick of a button. The RS tuned sport suspension is on the firmer side but it isn’t overly harsh.
2015 Audi RS3 Issues
Getting a car like the Audi RS3 to reach the $80k mark requires some cost savings to be made. The interior is classy yet we feel it still could be a little sportier.
2015 Audi RS3 Verdict
Would we have an Audi RS3 in our garage? Absolutely, with out a shadow of doubt. The RS3 is a car that lets you commute to work during the week with out rattling every bone in you body, then be a car that can be turned up to 11 on the weekends.
The Audi RS3 offers supercar performance for a smidge over $80k. Audi has concentrated on delivering car that offers the performance of an RS model at an affordable price point that a few years ago would have almost been impossible to achieve.
Thanks to the Audi drive select dynamic handling system, the Audi RS3 is easy to live with thanks to the four different modes that include comfort, auto, dynamic and individual.
Be warned that Audi RS3 will have you down to zero demerit points faster than you can “no office I didn’t notice how fast I was going”.
2015 Audi RS3 Competition
Lets be honest the Audi RS3 has two main rivals in Australia the BMW M135i and the Mercedes Benz A45 AMG.
The BMW M135i priced from $62,900 and is powered by a 3.0 litre engine that produces 240kW and 450Nm matched to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The BMW is not the quickest of three but it still performs 0-100km/h in 5.0 seconds.
The A45 AMG is priced at $75,700 and is powered by 2.0litre turbo charged engine mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission that produces 265kW and 450Nm. The A45 AMG can sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds and has a claimed fuel figure of 6.9l/100km.
If you are after German car with sporty performance and all wheel drive you can always have a look at the Volkswagen Golf R Wolfsburg Edition priced from $58,990. The Golf R Wolfsburg Edition is propelled by Volkswagen 206kW TSI engine and can lay claim to a 0-100km/h sprint in just 5.2 seconds, with fuel consumption a just 7.2L/100km.
