Looks like a fun little (expensive) missile, their comments on the car not wanting to rotate are unsurprising but still kind of disappointing to hear. Seem to be endemic to the brand as a whole lol! Great on the street it would seem and crazy fast all around out of the box, this is an amazing time for the hopped up small cars with this the N cars, the GR, and all the others. The fact they drive like FWD cars is very true when you compare any Audi vs their competition but they are still crazy fast despite not "feeling" like you may be used to.

 

This is a Golf RS power train? I must say, the front doesn’t look good

 

No this is the Audi 5 cyl of wonder lol! One of the most grenaded engines currently since people try to hit 1000+ on stock parts

I don't like the new grill, strikes me as less defined and more amorphous with less visual impact in person. The S8 still looks good in person though but the smaller cars really suffer in terms of rearview intimidation factor

 

The S3 has the same engine as the Golf R, but it doesn't have the torque-vectoring magic. The RS3 does have the torque-vectoring system, but it has its own 5-cylinder engine.

I agree with you, and to me, the S3 is better-looking up front.

 

I actually watched this earlier today. Awesome review! A bit on the expensive side though. It's front wheel drive bias, so oversteer is expected. Nice track/daily! BTW my grandmother had a 5 cylinder VW Quantum, but it was nothing but problematic, but that was an 85

 

The price is the part that really makes it painful....like it's nice but lord they know it's the best in class and charge you for it. The nose heaviness of these cars is real though, fast as hell but the limit is the LIMIT and you can't play with it like a RWD car.

 

That, and the weight. The as-tested price of over $72k is almost exactly the base price of an M3. Which despite being dramatically larger and significantly more powerful (with a much better interior), only weighs about 65 lbs more than the RS3.

 

Absolutely deplorable this doesn’t have a manual transmission.

 

Yeah outside of the A8 the Audis are always really freaking heavy for their class, the M3 is just a better track toy but they know that the RS is a street missile and can get away with the price.

 

I kept seeing zap straps on the lca's holding what looks like air scoops for the front brakes, what the heck?

 

I mean......it's German. Only Lexus for all cars if they add something REALLY take it seriously from the 100s I've been under and looked at. Other brands very much pull the "good enough" tactic unless it's one of their "serious" cars but even then they cut corners, like my A8 not having fixed calipers despite the price new vs ALL LSs having them.