Audi RS3 Sportback 2015

The RS 3’s inline-five belongs to a broader Audi tradition linked to competition and rally cars of the 1980s. Audi also notes that the 2.5 TFSI first appeared in the TT RS in 2009 and won the 2.0-to-2.5-liter category of the International Engine of the Year awards for five consecutive years from 2010 to 2014. Its distinctive sound and unusual firing sequence became important parts of the RS 3’s character, setting it apart from four-cylinder rivals.

The 2015 RS 3 Sportback marked the commercial launch of the model’s second generation. Audi stated that the new version appeared in the summer of 2015, while individual markets began sales or deliveries later that year. Production formed part of Audi’s performance-car range and was based on the A3 Sportback architecture, but the sources reviewed do not provide a verified worldwide production total for the 2015 model. A precise volume should therefore not be stated. The documented specification clearly identifies this version through its 367-hp five-cylinder engine, five-door body, seven-speed S tronic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive. Market launch dates and equipment details varied between countries.

Automotive publications generally praised the RS 3 Sportback’s performance while noting its highly focused character. Car and Driver highlighted the weight reduction, the stronger five-cylinder engine and the effectiveness of the all-wheel-drive system. MotorTrend emphasized the claimed 4.3-second 0–100 km/h acceleration and described the car as capable of covering long distances as well as delivering rapid performance. Autocar acknowledged its class-leading output at the time, while stressing that the car needed more than headline power to stand out dynamically. The Guardian focused on the acceleration, engine sound and theatrical personality, awarding it an 8/10 “cool” rating. Taken together, the reviews present a very fast and distinctive, if not understated, compact car.