Born from the fire and brimstones of Ingolstadt, Germany, the RS3 is Audi's crack at creating a world-leading hot hatch. The original RS3 packed 340bhp, 450Nm of torque and zips from 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds.
Launched in 2015, the new, second generation RS3 is lighter, more performance-oriented and 0.3 seconds faster. In comparison, the previous V8-powered Audi R8 was a 4.5 second car.
The new RS3 features Audi's latest generation 2.5-litre, turbocharged five-cylinder engine - the most powerful production engine in the group's modular transverse matrix - a rocket of a powerplant, which incites aural orgasms each time its cylinders fire in 1-2-4-5-3 order.
And for a period of time, the RS3 was the most powerful hot hatch money could buy - until Mercedes updated the A 45 AMG earlier this year - boasting more power and torque. For some, the A 45 AMG's power advantage made it the car to buy.
But we'd love to argue that outright power isn't the first order of hot-hatchery. Can the RS3's improved performance, refinement and dynamics continue to qualify it as the king of super hatches? We find out.
Exterior
To set the car apart from the A3 Sportback and the S3 Sportback, the RS3 gets large gaping air dams, widened track and fenders, an optional silver bumper lip, rear spoiler, dual-exhaust system, large 19-inch RS rims and imposing six-pot RS brakes - which are a dead giveaway of the car's true potential.
However, compared to the fiercely-designed A 45 AMG, the RS3 is a tamer, more mature proposition, even in bright Catalunya Red.
Like the BMW M2, the car's understated visuals belie its supercar-shaming performance credentials.
To set the car apart from the A3 Sportback and the S3 Sportback, the RS3 gets large gaping air dams, widened track and fenders, an optional silver bumper lip, rear spoiler, dual-exhaust system, large 19-inch RS rims and imposing six-pot RS brakes - which are a dead giveaway of the car's true potential.
However, compared to the fiercely-designed A 45 AMG, the RS3 is a tamer, more mature proposition, even in bright Catalunya Red.
Like the BMW M2, the car's understated visuals belie its supercar-shaming performance credentials.
Interior
Audi has a knack for clean, purposeful cabin designs and the RS3 has the nicest one amongst the competition.
The dash and centre console is minimalistic, controls are positioned very intuitively, and quality of the materials - a blend of alcantara and soft-touch leather - are exceptional.
Driving position is also bang-on. The RS3's sport seats bolster you in place, while providing sensible comfort for everyday driving.
On the even more practical side of things, there's plenty of space in the back and a trunk that's large enough for your bags when you decide to unleash the RS3 up north.
And you get just enough information displayed at a glance Audi's famed infotainment system and orderly cluster metre; from your music playlist to how hard the turbocharger is working.
Then, there's also the car's modest dosage of RS insignias, which set boy racers' hearts racing, such as RS badging, red stitching and RS-specific cut-out door latches.
The Drive
The RS3 fires up like a raging spirit, unleasing a gun shot or two before 'quieting' down to a senorous snarl.
From about 1,625 revolutions per minute, the car's turbo five-cylinder begins to dispense 367 ferocious German horses and a mountain-moving 465Nm of torque. On paper, the RS3 rockets from 0-100km/h in 4.3 seconds but from the driver's seat, the horizon draws closer much faster.
Likewise, the RS3's seven-speed dual-clutch auto is a gem. Gears switch faster than a snap of your fingers and in manual, won't swop cogs even when you hit the limiter until it's instructed to - great for holding gears as you violate a corner.
When you do, the standard sports exhaust resounds in shocking but high-including pops.
Some say the RS3 isn't as involving as the A 45 AMG or M2 but there's two sides to a coin. Unlike the aforementioned cars, the RS3's fail-safe, twist-and-go performance is amazingly usable, come rain or shine.
The improved dynamics of the car make it amusingly easy to pilot - an average or amateur driver can perform like Michael Schumacher - even in Dynamic mode, which unleashes the exhaust and sharpens powertrain response.
Point-to-point charges are remarkable, and the car doesn't hold back on delivering outstanding cornering pace and grip. Once the tyres identify a line, they stick and go.
Conclusion
Purchasing a driver's car is an emotive choice and we won't argue the fact that the Audi RS3 isn't a particularly naughty car compared to its rivals. However, it's five-cylinder snarl, for that reason alone, sparks enough emotion for us to want one.
And if ludicrously quick, monstrous grip and composure are characteristics you'd want in your hot hatch, the piping-hot RS3 is your cup of tea.
