The Heated Compact Car Market

Along with the "A4", which underwent a full model change last year to become the fifth generation, the "A3" series, which saw its first model appear in 1996 and has a history of over 20 years, solidifies the foundation of the Audi lineup. The hottest version and a leading image model that has driven the youthful character of the series has been the "2015 Geneva Motor Show", first unveiled at the "

" held in the spring of 2015. Launched with the phrase "the most powerful in the compact premium class," this model, like other Audi cars bearing the "RS" designation, has always stood out as a vehicle developed and produced by the then-current quattro GmbH, which specialized in exceptionally high-performance versions.

However, while it may be unrivaled among Japanese cars, the category in which the RS3 finds itself is actually quite a "fierce battleground" in Europe. For example, the Mercedes-AMG "A 45 4MATIC" series and the brand-new BMW model "M2 Coupe" can be cited as direct competitors in terms of performance and price.

Amidst this, the latest RS3, handled by Audi's high-performance division formerly known as quattro GmbH and renamed "Audi Sport GmbH" at the end of last year, has been given a new boost to engage in a superior battle. Its major topics are summarized into two points: "significant performance upgrade with a newly developed engine" and "the introduction of a new sedan body."

Equipped with a New Engine

As mentioned earlier, the current generation is the first time a sedan body has been added to the A3, a model with over 20 years of history. The reason for this is naturally considered to be a new response to regions like the United States and China, where sedan bodies are preferred over hatchbacks.

However, within the Japanese market alone, even with the introduction of such a sedan, the hatchback is expected to remain the mainstream. Nevertheless, the fact that the sedan is now an option alongside the existing hatchback for the RS3 is undoubtedly good news.

The latest RS3, available in these two body styles, is equipped with a 2,480cc turbocharged inline-five engine paired with a DCT and 4WD system. "Wait, aren't those specs the same as before?" is a correct observation.

However, the unit itself can be described as a "completely new development." By adopting an aluminum crankcase, a hollow crankshaft, and an aluminum oil pan, a weight reduction of 26kg has been achieved. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that performance and fuel efficiency have both been significantly improved through the adoption of dual injection (combining direct and port injection), a larger turbocharger, and reduced friction.

The potential of the new engine is symbolized by the increase in maximum output from the previous model's 367ps to a remarkable 400ps.

While continuing with the unique inline-five cylinder layout, the new RS3's heart has achieved specifications that once again put significant distance between it and its rivals.

A Sports Model You Can Feel From the First Drive

The international test drive event for the latest RS3 was held based out of a resort hotel in Oman.

Frankly, it was a country in the Middle East with which I had little familiarity, and my first visit. However, my prior concern that it might be "just a place with vast, flat deserts" fortunately turned out to be unfounded.

This is because I was able to check glimpses of this high-performance model's outstanding capabilities on roads that, while considered general roads, had a speed limit of 120 km/h (three lanes in each direction, like a highway), and on winding roads with surprisingly steep corners that hugged the beautiful coastline.

First, I chose the sedan and started from the hotel. Even driving a few hundred meters at a very slow pace on the roads within the hotel grounds, I could sense it was a "thoroughbred sports model" from the body's rigidity and the suspension's firmness when going over speed bumps.

Indeed, as I moved onto the main road and gradually increased the pace, this impression remained unchanged. Of course, if one knows that "RS" signifies a "particularly sporty model," it is understandable. However, for a guest invited to the rear seats, imagining it as a typical sedan, the strong jolting might come as a bit of a surprise.

Supercar-Level Performance

The power performance is, as expected, on an impeccable level. The five-cylinder unit responds powerfully to accelerator input from the moment of takeoff. However, be cautious, as stepping on the accelerator pedal deeply to enjoy the distinctive sound of the five-cylinder unit, which becomes noticeable above approximately 3,800 rpm, quickly leads to "tremendous speed." After all, its full acceleration capability is a mere 4.1 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h.

Conversely, in city driving scenarios where the lower RPM range is used more frequently, the emphasized exhaust noise from the rear can be somewhat intrusive. If the sound of the five-cylinder is to be a selling point, perhaps a strategy of slightly suppressing the exhaust noise in normal use and instead emphasizing the five-cylinder sound through the speakers might be an option.

Even when switching from the sedan to the hatchback model, there is virtually no difference in the driving feel, including the formidable power performance and the handling that feels almost "on rails." The fact that the sedan's weight increases by only 5kg, despite the rear overhang being extended and the overall length increasing by over 140mm, likely plays a significant role.

The coexistence of a compact, practical package with supercar-level performance is precisely the RS3's unique characteristic. Among the many RS lineup models, it can be described as the most intensely spiced and hardcore offering.

Audi RS3 Sedan | Audi RS3 Sedan
Body Dimensions | Length 4,479 x Width 1,802 x Height 1,397 mm
Tread Front/Rear | 1,559 / 1,528 mm
Wheelbase | 2,631 mm
Weight (EU) | 1,515 kg
Engine | 2,480cc Inline-5 DOHC Turbo
Bore x Stroke | 82.5 x 92.8 mm
Compression Ratio | 10.0
Max Output | 294 kW (400 ps) / 5,850-7,000 rpm
Max Torque | 480 Nm / 1,700-5,850 rpm
Transmission | 7-speed AT (S tronic)
Drivetrain | 4WD
Top Speed | 250 km/h (280 km/h with optional package)
0-100km/h Acceleration | 4.1 seconds
Fuel Economy (European Spec) | 8.4 - 8.3 L/100km (11.9 - 12.0 km/L)
CO2 Emissions | 191 - 188 g/km
Trunk Capacity | 315 - 770 Liters
Price | 7,850,000 Yen
*European specifications except for price

Audi RS3 Sportback | Audi RS3 Sportback
Body Dimensions | Length 4,335 x Width 1,800 x Height 1,411 mm
Tread Front/Rear | 1,559 / 1,514 mm
Wheelbase | 2,631 mm
Weight (EU) | 1,510 kg
Engine | 2,480cc Inline-5 DOHC Turbo
Bore x Stroke | 82.5 x 92.8 mm
Compression Ratio | 10.0
Max Output | 294 kW (400 ps) / 5,850-7,000 rpm
Max Torque | 480 Nm / 1,700-5,850 rpm
Transmission | 7-speed AT (S tronic)
Drivetrain | 4WD
Top Speed | 250 km/h (280 km/h with optional package)
0-100km/h Acceleration | 4.1 seconds
Fuel Economy (European Spec) | 8.4 - 8.3 L/100km (11.9 - 12.0 km/L)
CO2 Emissions | 191 - 188 g/km
Trunk Capacity | 335 - 1,175 Liters
*European specifications