REMEMBER WHEN AUDI’S SHARPER, SMARTER, SCREAMING 5-POT RS 3 CLAIMED THE COMPACT CAR 'RING RECORD?
Exactly one year after rewriting Nürburgring history, Audi’s compact weapon - the RS 3 - has returned with a sharper edge and even more bite. The RS 3 Performance Edition (a.k.a. RS 321) blitzed the Nordschleife in just 7:33.123, claiming the title of fastest compact on the infamous 20.8 km ribbon of hell. Now, with a fresh facelift and deeper chassis wizardry, Audi’s RS division is doubling down on dynamic dominance, without touching the headline figures. Still packing the symphonic 2.5-litre 5-cylinder turbocharged heart with 294 kW and 500 Nm, the RS 3 catapults from 0–100 km/h in a ballistic 3.8 seconds and tops out at 290 km/h. But the real gains? They’re in the corners. Thanks to an evolved chassis control algorithm, the torque splitter is smarter and snappier than ever. It now delivers crisper responses, earlier intervention, and a far more planted feel in technical sections. Brake torque vectoring adds to the finesse—scrubbing just the right amount of speed from the inside wheels, allowing the outside rear to fire more torque out of the bend. The result? A car that’s not just quick, but surgically precise. Understeer? Deleted. Rolling stock gets a proper upgrade too. The standard 265/30 front and 245/35 rear Pirelli P Zero R tyres strike a sweet balance between grip and everyday compliance. For those who live life a few tenths closer to the edge, the optional P Zero Trofeo R semi-slicks are the answer. Co-developed with Audi, they bring motorsport-derived grip and shorter braking distances - perfect for track days, but still road legal. Just don’t expect them to love wet commutes.
Visually, the facelift hits all the right notes. A reworked front end now wears a full-width splitter and new checkered flag-style LED signatures—because why not have a bit of flair with your fury? Three extra daytime running light designs can be toggled from the MMI touch display, just in case your mood shifts between Touring Car Tuesday and Full Attack Friday. Around the back, a larger RS-specific diffuser integrates a red centre reflector flanked by signature oval exhaust trims - still not real, but undeniably badass. The updated RS 3 now struts into the limelight with fresh paint options too, including Kyalami Green, Kemora Grey, Ascari Blue, Progressive Red, and - for the first time - matte Daytona Grey. Standard 19-inch matte black alloys bring the muscle, but we’d go straight for the optional motorsport-style wheels from the Performance Edition - especially if there’s any SARS return still unspent. Inside, the RS 3 continues its no-nonsense approach to speed. A new flat-top-and-bottom steering wheel is all business, while RS sport seats - or the full bucket treatment - keep you bolted down. High-gloss black, carbon trim, and properly focused digital displays finish the look. So no, the engine hasn’t changed. But the way it delivers its madness absolutely has. This latest RS 3 isn’t just a facelift - it’s a refined predator. Faster in the real world, faster where it matters, and now with the Nürburgring creds to back up its snarl.
Take a look at the YouTube video that's a throwback to a year back, when the latest RS3 claimed the compact car record on the 'Ring: Audi RS 3 | 7:33.123 minutes official laptime | Nordschleife | Nurburgring
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