These, therefore, provided the average person with a practical and indeed, an attainable way of accessing driving fun.The formula has stayed very much the same over the past four decades or so, however, recently we have seen hot hatchbacks broken-up into sub-segments.
These include mildly tuned ‘warm hatchbacks’ such as the Renault Clio GT-Line, to hot hatchbacks such as the Golf GTI and then super-hot hatchbacks, such as the Audi RS3 which I sampled recently.
Why super-hot hatch?
Hot hatchbacks, traditionally have been fast cars, but the super-hot hatch segment, which includes the likes of the BMW M140i, Mercedes-AMG A45 and of course, the RS3 Sportback have really taken what we thought a basic hatchback was capable of and rewritten the rulebook. You see, the relatively unassuming Audi provides the sort of performance one might have expected from some sport and supercars of yesteryear.
Performance
Under the hood of the A3-based RS3 we find a very heavily revised version of the brand’s 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo petrol motor which, among other things, now features an aluminium crankcase to reduce the engine’s weight by a hefty 26 kg while also increasing its power output. The RS3 churns out 294kW/480Nm which is transmitted through a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch gearbox and a quattro all-wheel drive system.
These figures translate into a 0-100km/h time of 4.0 seconds, as tested up in Gauteng by one of our colleagues with his VBox Performance Meter. The savagery doesn’t stop after 100 km/h though, as the RS3 also manages a quarter mile time of around 12.3 seconds. These figures are deeply impressive for a car that can be purchased at any Audi dealership and comes with a full maintenance plan, and even has room for your dog.
The engine and gearbox are the most dominating aspects of the RS3. The off-beat thrum of the 80s-inspired rally soundtrack emitted from the 1-2-4-5-3 firing order of the 5-pot in combination with the standard sports exhaust make the Sportback and indeed, its sedan and TTRS siblings one of the most distinctive and intoxicating automotive soundtracks available.
Hot hatch dynamics
For those looking for the sharpest driving tool around, look elsewhere. The likes of the new Honda Civic Type R and even Ford’s Focus RS are far more hardcore in their dynamic abilities versus the RS3. That is not to say that the Audi is a blunt tool, it goes about its business in a more refined, predictable and docile manner. There’s still understeer when approaching the limit, but it’s far less pronounced than in previous models.
Audi goodness
In traditional Audi fashion, the RS3 is restrained but has enough in the way of sporty touches to make the car appear slightly more special than an S3, from an aesthetic perspective. It doesn’t scream about its performance credentials, which is either a good or a bad thing, depending on what you’re after from your performance hatchback.
Being based upon the already capable A3, the RS3 is endowed with all of the virtues associated with Audi’s premium hatchback. Expect the same interior with superb ergonomics, a tangible material quality that is class-leading and a general usability that means the RS3 can easily be put to the daily grind.
Verdict
While the Audi goodness is certainly present, the foibles of the brand are certainly present, with a lengthy list of optional extras that could easily see you paying over R1-million for a hatchback. That being said, the performance on offer in combination with relative practicality makes the RS3 a compelling package.
Pricing
Audi RS3 Sportback R903 500
