Most of us don’t typically associate the Audi brand with performance supercars, in the same way that we do with the likes of Porsche, Lamborghini or Ferrari. And while that may be somewhat correct, it is also entirely inaccurate. Audi’s high-performance range of RS models might not look like supercars, but by God do they drive like them.
Something that Audi is undeniably good at is making the ordinary extraordinary. Last month I test-drove the latest RS3 model, with a little help from my neighbour, someone who in recent times has redefined the phrase ‘understated’. You could easily mistake him for an 80s Nascar driver, with his quietly cool moustache and mullet hairstyle. G-dog, or as he is otherwise known, Gerald Cooper, the beloved star of Clarkson’s Farm, gave the RS3 his seal of approval, saying, “It’s a mighty fine bit of kit, but perhaps not one for worn-out Oxfordshire roads.” A fair comment, I might add.
This is the third-generation RS3 and now would be a good time to confess that I owned the second-generation model, so I will try not to be biased. My first observation when firing up Gen-3 was that it no longer makes an obnoxiously loud and anxiety-inducing roar into life, making it possible to covertly slip away from, say, a church service. All round, the new RS3 is quieter, more refined, and as understated as ever, much to Gerald’s relief. Less of a throaty bark and more of a deep growl, the engine noise has been finely tuned in its latest edition. Generally, the car feels much tighter and better assembled, showcasing its German engineering and build quality right from the off. It seems more spacious and less cluttered too, but still lacking considerably in back seat and boot space.
Lowering into the driver’s seat, you immediately sense its slick, aviator-inspired interior. The raised linear air vents flanking the steering wheel, heads-up display, and shiny ‘shift-switch’ gear selector all evoke the cockpit of a high-tech fighter jet. Flick it into RS mode with your right thumb and an accelerometer appears on the dash showing G-force as you glide through the corners, with a glowing red runway-style rev counter to boot. RS3s are typically known for their easy handling and four-wheel drive ‘Audi Quattro-ness’, but now, if you are brave or mad enough, you can override the sensible safety net. RS Torque Rear mode, aka ‘drift mode’, turns off traction control and forces all that power into the rear wheels. Then, putting your left foot firmly on the brake while holding down the accelerator engages its neck-breaking launch control system. Release the brake and you’ll slingshot into next week. Of course, don’t use these features on a public road or you will end up in a hedge (or worse), but fling it round a racetrack and you’ll have endless fun. Just keep an eye on the rear tyres as they won’t last long.
Gerald Cooper of Clarkson's Farm testing the RS3
Fighting off stiff competition from German rivals BMW and Mercedes, it remains the fastest accelerating production car of its kind, reaching 62mph in just 3.8 seconds. For context, the M2 does it in 4.1 seconds and the AMG A45 S in 3.9 seconds. Its 2.5-litre, 5-cylinder engine produces an astonishing 400 brake horsepower and 500 Newton-metres torque – hardly far off a Ford Mustang GT muscle car, which has a 5-litre V8! Even still, if it passed you by on a quiet London street, you’d be none the wiser. To the untrained eye, there’s not much to blow its cover, but look closely and you’ll notice the menacing honeycomb grille, aggressive air intakes and flared wheel arches. It may not be the cheapest, but unlike its rivals and noisy older brother, the new RS3 has opted for stealth mode. Like John Wick, it's unassuming, always poised, finger on the trigger.
Now, read our take on the Audi RS 6...
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