Fans of the Four Rings have been anticipating this for months. Finally, the Audi RS3 Sedan and Sportback have been introduced to the SA market. If you have been saving up, we have listed the prices of both derivatives at the bottom of this post.

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Buy now and take advantage of free delivery in South Africa on orders over R349.

Rally-derived Powertrain

The new Audi RS3 range is powered by the brand’s familiar 2,5-litre inline five. The turbocharged engine, which draws a link to rally cars of the brand’s motorsport past, produces 294 kW and 500 N.m of torque. Peak power has remained unchanged from the previous RS3, but maximum torque is up by 20 N.m. Power is channelled to all four wheels through a dual-clutch transmission. With the aid of launch control, Audi says both versions can sprint from rest to 100 km/h in 3,8 seconds; flat out they will do 250 km/h. 

Click here to read more interesting quattro facts and figures.

Tick the right options box and the top speed rises to a whopping 290 km/h. Six-pot calipers clamp ventilated and drilled discs that measure 375 mm at the front and 310 mm at the rear. If buyers are keen there is also the option to increase the front rotors to 380 mm composite items. 

Check out a beautiful Audi S2, a spiritual predecessor to the RS3, by clicking here.

Slidey Systems

In an effort to make the new Audi RS3 more dynamic and less of a straight-line specialist the company has programmed specific RS3 driving modes (comfort, auto, dynamic, RS Individual, and efficiency) as chosen by the driver when the need/desire arises. Key to this is the standard ‘torque splitter’. You can learn how the system works in this video. 

Click this link to read our Audi RS6 Avant driving review.

Bespoke Appearance

The new Audi RS3 Sportback and Sedan come standard with 19-inch alloys. The fenders have been flared to accommodate the wide wheels and widened tracks. Interestingly, Audi also offers Pirelli P Zero “Trofeo R” tyres as an option. Other key external differentiators include Matrix LED headlights with darkened bezels, as well as unique front and rear bumpers with larger air intakes.

Audi South Africa will sell the car with a number of features as standard. These include the Audi RS virtual cockpit, a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system, Audi smartphone interface, sport seats in front, an RS Sports exhaust, rearview camera, park assist and comfort key access among others.

Audi RS3 Pricing

RS3 Sportback R1 215 000
RS3 Sedan R1 245 000