Audi RS3 Sportback (8Y) test: strong, everywhere, all the time

 

 

RS3. Two letters and a number that have been making headlines in the sports world for a little over 10 years now. Often associated with the world of rap and sometimes suffering from a somewhat vulgar image, the Audi RS3 is above all a summary of the know-how of the Ingolstadt brand in an A3 body with hormones. A legendary 5-cylinder, breathtaking performance combined with advanced technologies and the famous quattro transmission, this is what this latest generation, codenamed 8Y, offers. The B is the S, Blogautomobile offers you to test the RS (remix with our sauce of a known musical title).

 

 

 

Last stand

If the Audi RS range has never been as varied as in 2021 (there are no less than 13 different models if we take into account the different body types), it now has an electric model, the RS e -tron GT. A sign of a decisive turning point in the brand's strategy? Not just a sign to tell the truth and for good reason, Audi should no longer market a thermal model by 2033. Worse still, the brand announced last year that the very last thermal engine would be unveiled in 2026. The end of the thermal seems well and truly recorded on the side of the brand with the rings, it is therefore sweet to savor every second at the wheel of what we can already consider as a piece of history at Audi: the ultimate RS3. For this last stand, Audi pulled out all the stops and the engineers were given carte blanche to do everything they dreamed of with the RS3 by transforming it into a real supercar. We find under the hood the latest generation of the 5-cylinder 2.5 L turbo developing the trifle of 400 hp and 500 Nm of torque,Audi RS6 Avant ) and reach a top speed of 290 km/h via an optional package.

 

 

This engine is again associated with the quattro all-wheel drive and the S-Tronic 7-speed double-declutch automatic gearbox, revised for the occasion. Among the novelties, it is obviously necessary to note the appearance of a mechanical Torque Vectoring system (which is found in the same way on the Volkswagen Golf 8 R) allowing via electronic management to send 100% of the power transmitted to the rear axle to a single wheel thus making it possible to initiate and maintain a drift more commonly known as “Drift” (via the “RS3 Torque Rear” driving mode). In addition to the demonstrative side of such an option, the RS3 thus gains in agility in curves and erases as much as possible any understeer effect, something perhaps to convince the most anti-Audi among you?

 

 

Put some color in your Audi

In terms of style, no need to procrastinate for a long time when you come across it, it's definitely an Audi RS. Imposing grille, characteristic LED signature (with specific opening kinematics at the level of the daytime running lights which alternately display R, S and 3 before adopting their checkered design), wide fenders, gills of all kinds (including some dummy), and oval tailpipes. Remarkable element, these scoops at the end of the front fenders allowing the heat of the brakes to escape but also to widen the width of the body because a rare thing, the pneumatic mounts are wider at the front than at the rear ( 265 against 245 wide)! There are also a few optional elements: the black logos, the 19-inch 5-spoke rims with ceramic brakes (€5,500 option) and a superb Kyalami Green color which undoubtedly contributed to the success of this test. We also note that on this level, Audi is completely loose and it is no longer necessary to go through the “Audi Exclusive” box to bring a little gaiety to your configuration. There are thus optional Kyalami Green shades, Turbo Blue, Python Yellow or Tango Red. 

 

 

Audi does not stop there, since we even find in the configurator the possibility of matching some elements of the cabin to the exterior color, if that is not having an eye for detail. Let's talk about this cabin by the way. Nothing really new compared to a well-equipped Audi A3 S-Line, this is the strength of the brand. We will obviously note the flat steering wheel with suedette paddles with reminder of the midpoint and….. that's about it! The seats are strictly identical to those of the S3 except for the quilted leather finish offered here as standard and the RS Runway display mode (see photo above) of the virtual cockpit is reserved for those who check the “RS Plus Dynamic Pack” option.

 

 

More than just A3?

The question might seem absurd, but once the adaptive cruise control is on the fast track, this illegitimate question hammers my mind endlessly. The damping comfort is quite royal, the Bang & Olufsen sound system (optional at €970) does the job and the instantaneous consumption barely reaches 8.5 L / 100 km at a cruising speed of 130 km/h. Only the wide eyes of other road users wondering what a Granny Smith is doing on the open road at this speed and the low but continuous hum of the 5-cylinder reminds me that I'm not driving just any A3. I can't help once again congratulating Audi on such a feat, driving a real monster of power with one finger without ever worrying about weather events, hats off. For indeed, it took determination to go after this test. 1200 km covered in two days to get to the heart of Auvergne, epicenter of the orange alert for rains / winds / floods. The show and the landscapes gave it back to us, especially this permanent apocalyptic atmosphere bringing out the Green Kyalami so well, but between hesitation at each puddle of water crossed at a good pace and the look of an Eskimo at each door opening to realize a few images, there was definitely only automotive passion to allow us to continue without flinching. 

 

 

Know it, Auvergne between Christmas and New Year in the absence of snow, it is the ideal terrain to find yourself, you and your mount in the best conditions to appreciate each ribbon of asphalt so winding and so beautiful. state that one would think they were designed for the practice of motor sports. The first kilometers are done with an egg under the pedal, having too little confidence (wrongly?) in my ability to chain and recover slide after slide a toy still approaching 100,000 € options included. However, the conclusion is there: not a single slip to deplore despite the pouring and continuous rain and my increasingly frank and regular requests on the right pedal. This inevitably reminds me of the observation that struck me at the wheel of the Audi R8 V10 Performance : it goes strong, everywhere, all the time. 

 

 

Loud, everywhere, all the time

Over the miles, I finally take the measure of the tool I have in my hands, a true marvel of technology, a gem of engineering yet releasing and that's the strongest part of it all, a soul. Yes, a soul. A strong soul, assertive and yet seems so fragile in these times of 4-wheel batteries. The one and only culprit in all of this? This marvelous 5-cylinder with such a particular timbre. Under 2000 rpm, its steady purr resembles that of a Subaru flat-4. As it takes turns, the 2.5 L turbo reveals all its temperament: regular accelerations, perfectly linear up to 7000 rpm, betrayed by the technical sheet indicating a maximum power of 400 hp available from 5600 at 7000 rpm and above all a torque of 400 Nm available from 2250 and up to 5600 rpm, a veritable Swiss army knife that resumes constantly without ever showing the slightest sign of losing steam. This linearity is accompanied in the cabin by a hoarse sound, with a noble character helped by the Sport RS exhaust system (invoiced 1200 €) and work carried out at the level of the cabin, the sound outside s turning out to be much more discreet than it seems. No “Pop & Bang” galore here, only the slight explosions calibrated to the quarter of a hair when changing over the top gear flatters the ear of the music lover. We also wonder why we would want more, if not to impress the gallery. The result suits me perfectly. with a noble character helped by the Sport RS exhaust system (charged at €1200) and work carried out in the cabin, the sound outside being much more discreet than it seems. No “Pop & Bang” galore here, only the slight explosions calibrated to the quarter of a hair when changing over the top gear flatters the ear of the music lover. We also wonder why we would want more, if not to impress the gallery. The result suits me perfectly. with a noble character helped by the Sport RS exhaust system (charged at €1200) and work carried out in the cabin, the sound outside being much more discreet than it seems. No “Pop & Bang” galore here, only the slight explosions calibrated to the quarter of a hair when changing over the top gear flatters the ear of the music lover. We also wonder why we would want more, if not to impress the gallery. The result suits me perfectly. We also wonder why we would want more, if not to impress the gallery. The result suits me perfectly. We also wonder why we would want more, if not to impress the gallery. The result suits me perfectly. 

 

 

As for the ground connections and the feeling, more generally of the general behavior, we end up with a completely homogeneous result. The calibration of the steering assistance is quite simply perfect, turning the steering wheel gives a real feeling of pleasure, very far from the sensations of over-assistance that one could feel at the wheel of a simple A3 by engaging the driving mode Dynamic. The latter is also engaged by simply pressing the “RS mode” button located on the steering wheel, allowing you to switch from “auto” to “dynamic” or “RS Individual” mode. The brake pedal could prove to be a bit less progressive, particularly liking the frank attack that I found at the wheel of the RS6 Avant, also equipped with ceramic brakes (at the 4 corners unlike the RS3). The controlled damping of the Drive Select fulfills its role perfectly, going from a very acceptable comfort in the car to a superbly calibrated firmness in dynamic & RS Individual, just breaking on very rough roads (but it was far from being the case on Auvergne roads). On the traction and road holding side, we are far from feeling on board a very safe Audi S3, we feel the car more playful, more voluntary with exits from curves immediately tightening you towards the inside of the bend and never inciting to oversteer. The speeds reached are very quickly unreasonable and the RS3 seems to truly ignore the weather conditions, making fun of the countless tricky puddles. Be careful, however, to hold the steering wheel, the Pirelli PZero fitted as standard having a particularly fine reading of the road surface. The latter also convinced me of the car's capabilities, they quickly rose in temperature despite the humidity and the ambient cold and seemed to play the score of the quattro to the nearest note, a good performance. Finally, my greatest surprise resided in the fact that even at legal speed on secondary roads, we really took pleasure in driving aboard this RS3 with this feeling of being behind the wheel of an exceptional object, a rare thing for a compact sporty, even more so for an Audi! they quickly rose in temperature despite the humidity and the ambient cold and seemed to play the score of the quattro to the nearest note, a fine performance. Finally, my greatest surprise resided in the fact that even at legal speed on secondary roads, we really took pleasure in driving aboard this RS3 with this feeling of being behind the wheel of an exceptional object, a rare thing for a compact sporty, even more so for an Audi! they quickly rose in temperature despite the humidity and the ambient cold and seemed to play the score of the quattro to the nearest note, a fine performance. Finally, my greatest surprise resided in the fact that even at legal speed on secondary roads, we really took pleasure in driving aboard this RS3 with this feeling of being behind the wheel of an exceptional object, a rare thing for a compact sporty, even more so for an Audi!

 

 

Already collector

After only 3 generations, the RS3 8Y is already the last of a line. Between breathtaking performance, thunderous style and on-board technologies, the RS3 as a worthy future collector is paid for at a high price, very high even. The RS3 Sportback starts at €69,300, culminates here at €93,930 including options for our test model, to which we will obviously have to add a large oscillating penalty for 2022 between €21,966 and €33,147! Not sure that we will have the opportunity to see many new generation RS3 registered in France and belonging to individuals. Such an invoice will inevitably encourage speculation and the rare future happy owners to leave their beauties under glass. 

 

Some numbers 

Dimensions: 4389x1851x1436
Empty weight: 1570  kg
Trunk volume: 282 L
Tank volume: 55 L 
Combined consumption announced (WLTP): 8.9 – 9.0 L/100 km
Average CO2 emissions announced (WLTP): from 205 gCO2/km (up to at 217 gCO2)
Displacement: 2480 cc
Max power: 400 hp from 5600 to 7000 rpm
Max torque: 500 Nm from 2250 to 5600 rpm
Max speed: 250 km/h (290 with the Dynamic RS Plus pack)
0 at 100 km/h: 3.8 sec