Audi RS3 Sportback Facelift Review

Yes, it's back.

And believe it or not, it has grown more intimidating yet - not that you'd necessarily be able to tell if you get your own finished in the same Kemora Grey as the example we have here.

This refreshed Audi RS3 now gets a rhombus-pattern grille alongside new matrix LED head lights that allow you to choose from four different daytime running light designs

Bolder and better

We here at Sgcarmart are no strangers to bold colours on Audi's RS models (we even complained about them once here). And while Kyalami Green or Vegas Yellow may not be to everyone's taste - and are certainly enough to give one pause when called to attend life's more sombre events - they are undoubtedly a match for the loud and bold character of Audi’s performance models.

This grey is not like any of the rest of bright colours that we have become accustomed to from the firm. And as a matter of fact, I think it does quite the job of masking the design changes that have been granted upon this RS3.

At the rear, the Audi RS3 now sports redesigned taillights and gets a RS-specific diffuser that incorporates a red reflector in its centre

If you're having trouble spotting them, these include a redesigned rhombus-pattern grille, new matrix LED head lights (so you get to choose between four different daytime running light designs), new taillights, and a redesigned rear bumper and diffuser. The very last item, mind, now also gets an attractive motorsport-inspired central red reflector.

Don't get me wrong, the net effect of that restrained paint and bold accoutrements has a strange appeal of all of its own. You err on the side of discretion exuding a quiet confidence with this RS3 and only bringing power to bear when necessary.

The cabin now comes with a new steering wheel complete with buttons for easier access to your 'RS Individual' and 'RS Performance' drive modes, while the gear selector in the centre console has been redesigned

As powerful as ever

And does this RS3 ramp up the violence when called to.

The 394bhp 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine that does duty here has stayed unmolested from before, although Audi states that the calibration of the car’s torque splitter and brake torque vectoring system has been tweaked to further curb understeer.

And it is, for the most part, one pleasant drivetrain to operate in anger. Dial up the revs with a flick of that paddle shifter, push that accelerator pedal to the carpet, and you'll be rewarded with eager throttle response tempered only by turbo lag. And it makes quite a racket as well, generating a pleasingly raw mechanical howl that gets outcompeted only by the car’s exhaust for volume with every new climb up the tachometer.

The 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine continues to do duty unchanged in this iteration of the RS3, although the car's torque splitter system has been recalibrated

The merits of the RS3's adaptive dampers and clever all-wheel drive system are also evident should you choose to power through some twisty roads. Driven within the realms of reasonable safety on a public road, this Audi RS3 offers a delightfully neutral handling balance paired this with generous levels of grip.

This combines with a delightful level of feedback, communicated through a nicely weighted steering wheel, to allow you to carry unnatural levels of speed into any corner with the utmost confidence.

And it's more competent at performing the relaxed daily commute as well. General cabin insulation levels are satisfactory, although there is quite a bit of tyre noise when traversing over rougher surfaces - excusable given the width of the items installed here. And the ride stays agreeable with those dampers left in their most comfortable setting.

The Audi RS3 combines stunning performance with well-calibrated handling all within an appealing compact package

And still a great buy

Which bring us to one final issue: Price.

With the Mercedes-AMG A45 no longer listed on Mercedes-Benz's pricelist here, those shopping for this sort of power in a car with the footprint similar to this Audi RS3 will strangely find themselves lining it up against the $386,888 BMW M240i Coupe. This RS3 is asking for a bit more than that price, at $396,999.

There is, of course, a massive difference in sheer appeal when you're choosing between a sports coupe and a hot hatch, even one as scorching hot as this RS3. Having said this, I will add that the Audi counters here with its own practical benefits, such as the fact that your passengers get their own doors.

Strictly shopping for a premium performance hatch? There's also the $349,888 BMW M135 to consider, although you will note that it proves to be a weaker price-to-power proposition against this RS3. And if body style is no issue, consider also the fact there's the 416bhp Mercedes-AMG CLA45. Although, at $458,888, it too, seems like a rough price-to-power proposition in this company.

And there's one other way to look at proceedings. With electrification continuing unabated, the raw and visceral driving experience offered by this RS3 could soon become something of a rarity. And its 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine is already set to go down in history as one of the all-time greats from the era of combustion. So why not get your very own? You'll even be able to pick yours in a wide host of colours.

Looking for something equally compact and with the performance to match? You might want to catch these articles:

The Volkswagen Golf R delivers both ample power and matured handling

There's also the BMW M2 to consider, if you're looking for rear-wheel drive thrills and spills

Or maybe this Porsche 718 Cayman GTS is more what you're after?