Audi RS3 Review
The little saloon that’s surprise and take down mightier medal
By Shahzad Sheikh
Click below now to watch my Audi RS3 Review
I love the S3 saloon, so it stands to reason that I would love this even more. Is there a ‘but’ coming. No actually, there isn’t.
And somehow, quite frankly, I like this four-door version even more than the five-door hatchback RS3. There’s just something about the unassuming little-saloon look that makes it an ultimate Q-car, and I rather suspect something about how the extra weight aft of the rear wheels improves its handling balance.
When you see it, it’s clearly a meaty little thing, clean lines, stylish presence, premium looks. And the pumped wheelarches and air-slicing front bib certainly suggest a latent potency beyond what you were expecting.
Then you fire it up. And I do mean fire it up. Because bystanders will jump out of their shalwars and drop their tasbees, as this thing barks, cracks and bangs into life. Then you chuckle at yourself as those same shocked souls stare in all directions looking for the source of such aural aggression and glance straight past the RS3, not believing it could be the source.
I can give you all the spec – 2.5 inline five, 365bhp, 0-100 in ‘Omigod, you’re fricking kidding me’ etc, etc. But that’s all fairly common knowledge if you’re a fan, this iteration has been out a while with a facelift last year. And if you don’t know, watch the video above.
And even if you do know, watch the video above. Because the video review is far less of the usual me being all sensible and objective and more of the car-loving kid in me just going ‘wowwee’ a lot.
Yes I cover the practicality – you can fit at least one of me in the boot – if you’re into carrying bodies around (heck this would make a great getaway car let’s be honest), and at least two and a bit of me in the rear seat, which are frankly more accommodating than some Crossovers. People really need to rethink this SUV craze, some saloons are a sounder option I maintain.
Up front it’s Audi goodness, strong AC, great stereo, bang it in gear, let’s go! I reveled in driving this thing. I think I put more clicks on the odometer of this in a week than I do on some long-termers in a month. Partly because, yes, it’s astonishingly fuel-efficient, but mostly because it is just such a satisfying daily driver.
It’s the right size for around town, it’s the right level of premium to satisfying the snobs of Dubai and get some respect on the road, and it’s got the perfect amount of the sprint to dart into gaps – perhaps too much even, be prepared to overshoot.
And all the time it sounds great, stays planted, responds to the helm like a startled cat and permanently plants a grin on your face. Then get it out on a twisty mountain road like in the video and it wows you without scaring you.
Got to find a negative, and there is one, the ride will leave you rattled, especially over the rear axle. Whilst it fine and smooth on the motorway, bumps and ridges will transmit their presence big time. But on the other hand that means there’s a lot of feedback, and the body control remains solid, and quite frankly, if you want a comfy ride get something else.
Stop complaining! I ain’t! In fact I’m going back to that mountain road one more time – the long way around. What was that you said? AED240,000? Pah, a bargain for this bonkers little beastie. If you find my objectivity lying around somewhere, do let me know, actually don’t, not till I get back.
