South Africa can expect a new hot hatchback any day now in the form of the revised Audi RS3.
The updated model was initially scheduled to appear in the first quarter of 2025, though this date has come and gone without an official launch.
However, Audi has since revealed that the new RS3 will retail for a hefty R1,498,200, suggesting that its release is right around the corner.
A high-end hot hatch
The new RS3 is the most expensive hot hatch in South Africa, costing R73,000 more than the Mercedes-AMG A45.
You are well-compensated for this price tag, though, as the Audi boasts an incredible power output courtesy of its 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine.
Anyone lucky enough to buy the hatchback can tap into 294kW and 500Nm, which translates to a scorching 0-100km/h time of just 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 290km/h.
It also features the brand’s Quattro four-wheel-drive system and a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic gearbox for grippy handling and snappy shifts.
Its fuel consumption is admittedly on the higher end at 9.0l/100km, though it’s doubtful that anyone who can afford the RS3 is primarily concerned about the economy run.
Audi has also used the update as an excuse to further tinker with the car’s brake torque vectoring, electronic stability control, and adaptive damping systems to improve handling.
It also comes with new performance tyres that offer superior grip in both wet and dry conditions, according to the manufacturer.
On the visual front, the sports car features a broader rhombus-pattern grille, large functional side air intakes with black vertical blades, a new front splitter, and new signature daytime running lights with 24 LEDs arranged in a checkered flag pattern.
It also has new vertical side reflectors, an RS rear diffuser, twin oval-shaped RS sports exhausts, and 19-inch cast-alloy wheels in a five-spoke design that can be customized with one of five different colour schemes.
Shifting to the interior, you’ll find a new flat-bottom perforated leather Sports steering wheel with paddle shifters, RS Sports seats, a new gearstick, carbon inlays on the panels, ambient lighting, and anthracite-effect paint on metallic components like the door handles and air vents.
The dashboard, meanwhile, is equipped with the brand’s latest “Virtual Cockpit” 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 10.1-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
As far as extras are concerned, prospective customers can install Matrix LED headlights and pick up a cosmetics package that adds red or green touches to the seatbelts, air vents, and upholstery stitching.
If this still isn’t enough, you can pick up a special Carbon Edition model unique to South Africa, which adds carbon fibre-themed finishes to several components like the side mirrors and dashboard.
Audi RS3
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