Audi RS3 2022: release date and price revealed for Australia

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Audi has announced the local specification for the RS3 high-performance small car that will start from $91,400 (before-on road costs) in Australia.

Arriving in a single grade, the RS3 is expected to arrive in Australia in the second quarter of 2022 in both Sportback and Sedan guise.

The RS3 Sportback is the entry-point in the range at $91,400 while the RS3 Sedan commands a slight premium at $93,900, with both figures before on-road costs.

Both of those figures undercut the starting price of its chief rival the Mercedes-Benz A45 S that is priced from $94,100 (before on-roads) in Australia and represents a circa $20,000 jump from the Audi S3 in both body styles.

While still undercutting its direct competition, the price of entry has jumped by $7,600 when compared to the MY20 RS3.

What has Audi changed on the RS3?

The new generation of the RS3 has made a number of performance improvements – however, what they have kept is perhaps more important than they have added.

Namely, this means the 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine has been retained with power holding steady at 294kW but torque has been boosted by 20Nm to 500Nm – despite strict new emissions standards in Europe.

The petrol five-pot now produces its peak power from 5,600rpm all the way to 7,000rpm while peak torque is available from 2,250 to 5,600rpm.

Audi has paired the engine to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that feeds power to a new all-wheel drive system that features a new torque-splitter setup which offers more rear bias to cut down on understeer.

All of this combined means the RS3 has cut its 0-100km/h time from 4.1 seconds to an astonishing 3.8 second time – making it the quickest hot hatch on the market.

To handle the extra grunt, the front axle track of the RS3 has also been widened by 33mm while the rear axle is 10mm wider. We’ve written a separate article providing a full performance breakdown.

Highlights of the new design include the new V-Shaped matrix LED headlights that turn the beam and the driver barrels down the road and the redesigned 19-inch cast alloy wheels with a Y-shaped five-spoke design.

Audi has dialled up the aggression at the rear with new oval-shaped exhausts pipes at the rear that flank an RS-specific diffuser design.

A modernised interior

The interior has been modernised with a 12.3-inch Virtual cockpit display that is fitted as standard, and works alongside a head-up display and a 10.1-inch touchscreen that handles the entertainment side of things.

The multimedia system features wireless Apple CarPlay and is offered alongside other interior features including power lumbar support, ambient lighting in the interior and a 360-degree camera.

New safety features for the RS3 include a 360-degree camera and rear cross-traffic alert alongside clever systems such as an automatic seat belt pre-tensioner and automatic sunroof and window closure in emergency situations.

Audi will offer four option packages at launch including the Carbon package, Matte aluminium styling package, RS design package plus and RS dynamic package plus.

A comprehensive five-year serving plan package is priced at $3,580 for both body styles.

More details on the exact level of specification will be released closer to the RS3’s launch in the second quarter of 2022.

Audi RS3 2022: prices in Australia

All prices listed are before on-road costs.

• RS3 Sportback: $91,400
• RS3 Sedan: $93,900