2022 Audi RS3 Sportback [UK]

In the UK, both the Audi RS3 Sportback and Saloon, which start from £50,900 OTR and £51,900 OTR respectively, are available in four different specifications: RS3, Carbon Black, Launch Edition and Vorsprung. As standard, every model comes equipped with 19-inch alloy wheels, heated Front Sport seats with 'RS' embossed logo in Fine Nappa leather, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, Audi's 12.3-inch Virtual cockpit with RS-specific display, a 10.1-inch MMI Navigation plus infotainment system, and the all-new RS Torque splitter.

Stepping up to the RS3 Carbon Black (+£4,650) brings darkened Matrix LED headlamps, five-spoke 19-inch matt black alloy wheels, a gloss black front spoiler as well as a carbon fibre finish to the exterior mirror housings, rear spoiler, side skirts and engine cover.

Unmatched acceleration and top speed: the 2.5 TFSI

With its five-cylinder, high-performance engine, the Audi RS3 is one-of-a-kind in the segment. The 2.5 TFSI has won the "International Engine of the Year" award nine times in a row. In the latest generation of the compact sports car, the engine is now more powerful than ever before developing 400PS and 500Nm of torque - allowing a 0-62mph sprint of just 3.8 seconds. Top speed for the standard RS3 is limited to 155mph, but Launch Edition and Vorsprung models see that increase to 174mph. With the RS Dynamic package and ceramic brakes, customers can even reach a top speed of 180mph. This makes the Audi RS3 the best in its class in terms of acceleration and top speed. This is primarily due to the 20Nm increase in torque over the previous RS3, which is available between 2,250 and 5,600rpm. As a result, the Audi RS3 accelerates even faster from low rev ranges. The engine's maximum power of 400PS is available earlier than before at 5,600rpm and extends over a broad plateau to 7,000rpm. A new engine control unit also increases the speed at which all of the drive components communicate with each other.

Expressive and unmistakable: exterior and lighting

The design of the new Audi RS3 is even more dynamic than that of its predecessor and is available in standard, Carbon, Launch Edition and Vorsprung specifications. In the front, the wide RS bumper, the redesigned Singleframe with its distinctive honeycomb grille, and the large air intakes give the compact sports car an expressive appearance. The RS3 comes standard-equipped with flat, wedge-shaped LED headlights and LED taillights including dynamic turn signal lights. Matrix LED headlights will feature on Carbon, Lanch Edition and Vorsprung models, with darkened bezels that feature digital daytime running lights around their outer downturned angles. With its pixel field of 3 x 5 LED segments, it provides an unmistakable look - a checkered flag appears in the left headlight as a dynamic leaving and coming home scene, and the RS3 lettering appears on the driver's side. When driving, the checkered flag lights up on both sides.

Genuine racing feeling: the interior

In the interior, too, many elements specific to the RS accentuate its sportiness. The displays appear in the 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus, which comes standard. It displays the rpms in the form of a bar graph and shows power and torque as percentages. Optionally, the rpm display is available in the new "RS Runway" design. In this case, the values are displayed in the opposite direction in a manner that visually resembles an aeroplane runway - the highest speed in the foreground and the lowest speed in the background. In addition, the Audi virtual cockpit plus includes displays for g-forces, lap times and acceleration from 0-100 km/h, 0-200 km/h, quarter-mile, and eighth of a mile.