Following on from upgrading its A3 and S3 ranges, Audi has now given the RS3 a mostly visual upgrade. The sporty saloon will now feature an expressive front and eye-catching diffuser, carbon details, RS bucket seats, and flat-top and flat-bottom steering wheel.
Under the bonnet, the RS3 keeps its 2.5 TFSI engine with the same 400hp and 500Nm and 0-100km/h sprint time of 3.8 seconds. However, Audi says the RS3’s exhaust note is “more voluminous and even more distinctive” when the car is running in the Dynamic, RS Performance and RS Torque Rear drive modes, thanks to an upgrade in the exhaust-flap control from 2,200-3,500rpm.
After its product upgrade, the Audi RS3 has a significantly sportier appearance. The dominant feature of the assertive front design is the hexagonal Singleframe with a flatter and broader border. With redesigned daytime running lights, the headlights also accentuate the car’s performance. The digital signature, which displays a chequered flag in the RS3, comprises 24 elements.
The rear of the RS3 also features references to motorsport, the large functional RS-specific diffuser incorporates a red reflector in its centre. On its sides, the vehicle has two oval tailpipe trims of the RS exhaust system, which look even larger in their black frames. Like the headlights, the taillights also feature a new graphic: Arrows that dynamically light up from inside to out with the coming home/leaving home function embody the progressive taillight design.
The exterior is accentuated by the RS-specific exterior colours 'Kyalami Green' and 'Kemora Gray', the new metallic paints 'Ascari Blue' and 'Progressive Red', and, for the first time, 'Daytona Gray' in a matt finish.
The Singleframe and diffuser have a black finish, with a choice of high-gloss or matt. Continuing this theme, the RS3 comes with matt-black 19-inch aluminium cast wheels in a 5-Y-spoke design as standard.
The interior is dominated by dark colour tones and geared for performance; with the new flatten above and below steering wheel for a sportier look, RS sport or bucket seats, carbon features, and sporty displays. The optional RS bucket seats feature RS honeycomb stitching while below the headrest, the black tapered insert features a large RS badge.
A night-time feature is the so-called planar lighting, whereby a light source in the door panel back-lights hundreds of lasered rhombus shapes of various sizes, which dynamically light up when locking and unlocking the RS3. The door handles, air vents as well as the cover clip of the steering wheel and the shift paddles are finished in an anthracite effect paint, which shimmers according to the light conditions.
The design packages in red and green add touches of colour to the seat belts, seat shoulders, and air vents. Additionally, the contrast stitching on the seats, centre armrest, door armrests, steering wheel, and the 12 o’clock marker is done in the respective colour. The same goes for the floor mats in black velour, which are also adorned by RS lettering.
