New Audi RS 3 priced

Prices for the incoming fourth-generation 2022 Audi RS 3 will start almost $8000 higher than the current model, at $91,400 plus on-road costs for the Sportback hatch.

The new Audi RS 3 sedan will arrive alongside the hatchback in the second quarter of next year and pricing is $2500 upstream of the five-door at $93,900 plus ORCs.

There’s no more power for the latest version of Audi’s smallest RS performance car, which sticks with the German prestige brand’s trademark 294kW 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo-petrol engine.

But there are wholesale changes in almost every other department – including powertrain – and in terms of standard equipment Audi Australia says both the RS 3 Sportback and sedan come with almost $10,000 worth of additional features compared to the previous versions, which were last priced from $83,436 and $86,136 plus ORCs respectively.

The new pricing also keeps the RS 3 below its two arch-rivals that both top $100K – the BMW M2 Competition (from $102,900) and the Mercedes-AMG A 45 S (from $100,300).

Its engine might be familiar but modifications – including 20Nm more peak torque, now at 500Nm – deliver quicker acceleration for the Audi RS 3 via the standard seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and all-wheel drive system, now hitting 100km/h from standstill in 3.8sec (-0.3sec) with launch control engaged.

As we’ve reported – and experienced with our international launch review last month – there are plenty of other mechanical highlights that improve the RS 3, including a transformative RS ‘torque splitter’ rear differential, bespoke suspension set-up (now with adaptive damping in lieu of magnetic ride control), and larger and more powerful braking package.

Carbon-ceramic brakes (with red, blue or grey callipers) are available for an extra $13,000.

As standard, the RS 3 also has a 19-inch wheel and tyre combination (with cast-alloy rims and semi-slick Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R rubber), and Matrix LED headlights with dynamic turning lights and digital daytime runners.

Eight exterior colour choices will be available in Australia, including RS-specific Kyalami Green and Kemora Gray finishes for a wider-than-ever RS 3 body that has a plethora of sporting highlights, from the distinctive honeycomb single-frame grille and large air intakes to the fender flares and motorsport-inspired rear bumper with built-in diffuser and RS exhaust.

As an option, the mirror caps, rocker panel inserts and tailgate and roof edge spoilers can all be finished in carbon-fibre reinforced plastic “for an even sportier look”, Audi says, although it’s pretty expensive – $7400 for the Sportback or $6300 for the sedan.

A more affordable matt aluminium styling package ($2000 on either model) is also available, hitting on areas such as the front spoiler, rear diffuser insert, window surrounds and wing mirror housings.

Inside, the sporting elements continue with RS-specific trim, detailing, features and so on. The 12.3-inch Audi ‘virtual cockpit’ digital instrument cluster has a unique ‘RS Runway’ design for the rev counter, along with displays for g-forces, lap times and acceleration runs from 0-100km/h, 0-200km/h (at the risk of your licence if not on a closed circuit), the quarter-mile and eighth of a mile.

These are just in case you need convincing that the new RS 3 really deserves its title as the fastest compact production car around Germany’s famed Nurburgring Nordschleife…

There’s a shift indicator when in manual transmission mode that’s integrated into a new head-up display, while the 10.1-inch touch-screen also displays relevant info such as coolant, engine and transmission oil temperatures, plus tyre pressures.

Naturally, there’s RS sport seats trimmed in Nappa leather with RS embossing and contrast stitching, the latter available in black, red or, for the first time, green.

An RS design package ($2150) plus adds matching red or green accents in areas such as the seat shoulders, air vents, the Alcantara trim on the steering wheel and the seat belt edging.

Other equipment highlights that help justify the price hike include an electric tailgate for the Sportback and, for all models, ambient interior lighting, wireless Apple CarPlay, 360-degree camera, park assist and electric adjustment for the front seats with four-way lumbar support and driver position memory.

New safety systems include exit warning, rear cross traffic alert and Audi pre sense basic, the latter pre-tensioning the seat belts and closing the windows/sunroof if an imminent collision is detected.

Audi’s basic three-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty applies, while a five-year service plan for the RS 3 is priced at $3580.

How much does the 2022 Audi RS 3 cost?
Sportback – $91,400
Sedan – $93,900
* Prices exclude on-road costs