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Audi RS3

Euro · Audi

Audi RS3: Audi compact AWD performance sedan. Five-cylinder turbocharged engine making 401 horsepower in 8Y generation.
Photo: Alexander Migl / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Audi compact AWD performance sedan. Five-cylinder turbocharged engine making 401 horsepower in 8Y generation. Distinctive five-cylinder character.

The Audi RS3 is a compact AWD performance sedan with a turbocharged five-cylinder engine. Multiple generations of RS3 have refined the formula. The current 8Y RS3 (2022+) makes 401 horsepower from the 2.5L TFSI turbocharged inline-five, with quattro AWD and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The RS3 inline-five is one of the few production five-cylinder engines available. The unusual cylinder count produces a distinctive odd-firing character that is musically distinct from typical inline-six or four-cylinder turbocharged engines. The sound is widely praised as the best aspect of the RS3 character. The current RS3 includes a Drift Mode (sometimes called RS Performance mode) that can rear-bias the AWD system to allow controlled drift behavior. The RS3 sedan body and Sportback (hatchback) body styles cover different markets. On WhipJury, RS3 submissions are common, particularly 8V (2017-2021) and 8Y (2022+) generations.

RS3 generations

8V RS3 (2017-2021). 2.5L TFSI five-cylinder, 394 horsepower.

8Y RS3 (2022+). 2.5L TFSI five-cylinder, 401 horsepower. Drift Mode.

Frequently asked questions about Audi RS3

Why does the RS3 have a five-cylinder engine?
Historical Audi engineering. The five-cylinder turbocharged engine layout traces to the original 1980 Audi Quattro rally car. Audi has continued producing five-cylinder turbocharged engines as a brand-specific signature. The current 2.5L TFSI in the RS3 continues that lineage; the engine character is distinct from typical four or six-cylinder turbocharged engines.
How does RS3 compare to BMW M2?
Different priorities. RS3 is AWD with five-cylinder turbo character, more capable in poor conditions. M2 is RWD with inline-six turbo, more aggressive driver involvement. RS3 has more accessible launch capability; M2 has more analog character. Both are excellent.
Is the RS3 reliable?
Generally yes for an Audi RS product. The five-cylinder engine is durable. Common issues are typical for VW Group performance vehicles: occasional water pump and timing chain concerns. Maintenance is expensive due to specialty parts.
How much does an RS3 cost?
New 2024 RS3: starts around $63,000. Used 8V RS3: $35,000-$55,000+. Used 8Y RS3: $50,000-$75,000+. Clean low-mile examples are at the higher end.
What is the RS3 Drift Mode?
Drift Mode is the 8Y RS3 (2022+) feature that biases the quattro AWD system to send more torque to the rear axle, allowing controlled drift behavior. This is a notable feature in an AWD car. The system maintains stability control safety while allowing aggressive driving.

More on the Audi RS3

What Does EDM Mean? (European Domestic Market, Explained)
What Does EDM Mean? (European Domestic Market, Explained)

EDM stands for European Domestic Market: vehicles, parts, and styling built for sale in Europe, to European regulations. It is the European cousin of JDM and USDM, and the differences (engines, transmissions, lighting, and models we never got) are exactly why enthusiasts chase EDM cars.

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