The RS3 has been battling for top spot of the hot hatches for a while now alongside Mercedes’ A45 AMG. The 3rd and newest RS3 model on paper doesn’t seem much different to its predecessor, but tweaks and small but effective details deliver a hatch with vast improvements over the previous model, improvements that will leave the likes of the A45 and other hot-hatches feeling threatened.

Power remains the same as before at 395bhp with a slight increase in torque, generated by the 2.5 5-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces the ‘baby V10’ sounds we all love. Power delivery is linear with access to the power band starting earlier and finishing later up the rev range. The interior receives a makeover, where Audi have taken a simple and minimalistic approach, similar to other new cars under the VW AG group. The comfortable interior is complimented by a very pleasant ride meaning the RS3 can be used as a daily driver with its ability to comply to the road. The comfortable ride is thanks to changes to the chassis and suspension setup. The standard dampers and springs have been replaced with a revised set, where the dampers use a new valve system that improves their rebound and compression efficiency. This benefits the RS3 on track just as much as the road, especially when turning into corners where weight is comfortably transferred back to the centre with much more ease.

Drive shared to the rear is now managed by individual clutch packs to each rear wheel (by the all-new RS Torque Splitter), meaning agility is increased as torque is varied depending on load and traction through corners. It means that along with the stiffer subframe and new Vehicle Dynamics Controller, the new RS3 feels more connected between driver, chassis and the tarmac beneath it.