Audi RS3

Audi RS3: Which Version to Buy and Why

Choosing an Audi RS3 from the specifications provided means comparing three generations and two body styles rather than simply buying the newest car. The first-generation Hatchback 5-door ran from 2011 to 2012 with 340 hp; the second-generation Hatchback 5-door followed from 2015 to 2016 with 367 hp, while its 2017–2020 restyling was a Sedan with 400 hp.

Choosing an Audi RS3 from the specifications provided means comparing three generations and two body styles rather than simply buying the newest car. The first-generation Hatchback 5-door ran from 2011 to 2012 with 340 hp; the second-generation Hatchback 5-door followed from 2015 to 2016 with 367 hp, while its 2017–2020 restyling was a Sedan with 400 hp. The third-generation Sedan arrived in 2021 with 400 or 407 hp and was restyled from 2024 with 400 hp. Every listed RS3 uses a 2,480 cc turbocharged Inline 5 Gasoline engine, a 7-speed transmission and AWD. The practical shortlist is therefore clear: choose the first generation for the earliest and least powerful specification, the second-generation hatchback for the strongest power-to-weight figure among the hatchbacks, the 2017–2020 Sedan for 400 hp with measured city and highway consumption, or the third-generation Sedan for the quickest listed 0–100 km/h time.

Audi RS3 generations: what changed?

The 2011–2012 first generation was offered as a Hatchback 5-door with one version, 2.5 S-tronic. Its output was 340 hp and 450 Nm, giving 137.1 hp per litre. With a kerb weight of 1,650 kg, it carried 4.85 kg per horsepower. It reached 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and had combined fuel consumption of 9.1 l/100 km. This is the version to consider if the earliest RS3 specification is the priority, but the figures show that every later generation provides more power and quicker acceleration.

The 2015–2016 second generation began as a Hatchback 5-door with one 2.5 S-tronic version. Output increased by 27 hp and 15 Nm over the first generation, reaching 367 hp and 465 Nm. Kerb weight fell by 130 kg to 1,520 kg, improving the weight-to-power figure to 4.14 kg per horsepower. Its 4.3-second acceleration to 100 km/h was 0.3 seconds quicker, while combined consumption decreased by 1.0 l/100 km to 8.1 l/100 km. Among the two hatchbacks, this is the more compelling numerical choice: it is lighter, more powerful, quicker and more economical.

The second-generation restyling ran from 2017 to 2020 and changed the body to Sedan. It lists two database entries, both named 2.5 TFSI quattro S-tronic, with identical 400 hp and 489 Nm outputs but different weights and city consumption. Both produce 161.3 hp per litre, reach 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds and have combined consumption of 8.5 l/100 km. One weighs 1,668 kg and records 11.3 l/100 km in the city; the other weighs 1,605 kg and records 11.4 l/100 km. The lighter entry carries 4.01 kg per horsepower, compared with 4.17 kg per horsepower for the heavier car.

The 2021–2024 third-generation Sedan has three entries named 2.5 TFSI quattro S tronic. Two produce 400 hp and 500 Nm, while the other produces 407 hp and 500 Nm. All weigh 1,570 kg, reach 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and have a top speed of 250 km/h. The 407 hp version develops 164.1 hp per litre and carries 3.86 kg per horsepower; the 400 hp cars develop 161.3 hp per litre and carry 3.93 kg per horsepower. The extra 7 hp does not alter the listed acceleration or top-speed figures, so its advantage is limited to the higher output and slightly better calculated power-to-weight ratio.

The third-generation restyling began in 2024 as a Sedan and contains two entries, both named 2.5 TFSI quattro S tronic and both rated at 400 hp and 500 Nm. Kerb weight is 1,565 kg, which is 5 kg below the earlier third-generation cars, and the ratio is 3.91 kg per horsepower. Acceleration remains 3.8 seconds to 100 km/h and top speed remains 250 km/h. The recorded distinction between its two entries is combined consumption and CO₂ output: one lists 9.1 l/100 km and 207 g/km, while the other lists 9.3 l/100 km and 211 g/km.

Audi RS3 engine specs and versions

Direct injection, 4 valves per cylinder, a compression ratio of 10 and an 82.5 × 92.8 bore-and-stroke specification are common to every listed engine. The first and second generations place the engine at the front in a transverse orientation. The 2021–2024 third-generation data specifies a front, longitudinal orientation, while the restyled third-generation data specifies front, transverse.

Audi RS3 performance, mpg and economy comparison

The catalogue supplies 0–100 km/h figures, not 0–60 mph measurements. On the available figures, every 2021-onward Sedan is 0.8 seconds quicker to 100 km/h than the first-generation hatchback. For minimum measured combined consumption, the 2015–2016 2.5 S-tronic leads at 8.1 l/100 km. Within the 2021–2024 range, the 400 hp entry with 8.2 l/100 km uses 0.1 l/100 km less on the combined cycle than the other two entries. The restyled cars retain the 3.8-second acceleration figure, but their measured combined consumption is 0.8–1.1 l/100 km higher than the 8.2–8.3 l/100 km figures of the preceding third-generation entries.

Audi RS3 dimensions, weight, tank and wheel specifications

External length, width and height are not measured in the supplied data. The available dimensions-related figures are weight, ground clearance, tank capacity and wheel size.

The restyled third-generation tank entry is reproduced exactly as recorded, but it differs sharply from the 55 l value listed for the preceding Sedans and should be verified before it influences a buying decision.

Every listed RS3 has Independent, spring suspension at both ends, plus Ventilated disc front and rear brakes. Those items therefore do not distinguish the versions in this catalogue.

Which Audi RS3 version should you buy?

For a Hatchback 5-door, the 2015–2016 2.5 S-tronic is the strongest specification-based choice. Compared with the 2011–2012 car, it adds 27 hp and 15 Nm, removes 130 kg, cuts the 0–100 km/h time by 0.3 seconds and reduces combined consumption by 1.0 l/100 km. Its 4.14 kg-per-horsepower ratio is also substantially better than the earlier car’s 4.85.

For a Sedan with the fullest set of measured economy and dimensions-related data, choose a 2017–2020 2.5 TFSI quattro S-tronic. Both entries offer 400 hp, 489 Nm, a 4.1-second 0–100 km/h time, 8.5 l/100 km combined consumption, 120 mm ground clearance, a 55 l tank and recorded wheel sizes. Between them, the 1,605 kg entry is 63 kg lighter, although its city consumption is 0.1 l/100 km higher and its CO₂ figure is not measured.

For the best combination of acceleration and measured economy, the 2021–2024 400 hp 2.5 TFSI quattro S tronic with 8.2 l/100 km combined consumption is the leading choice. It matches the range-best listed 3.8-second acceleration time while recording the lowest combined consumption among the third-generation Sedans. It also uses 0.2 l/100 km less than either 2017–2020 entry and produces 11 Nm more torque.

Choose the 407 hp 2021–2024 2.5 TFSI quattro S tronic if maximum output and the best calculated power-to-weight ratio matter most. It adds 7 hp over the other third-generation versions and improves the ratio from 3.93 to 3.86 kg per horsepower, but its listed acceleration, top speed and torque remain unchanged.

The restyled 400 hp 2.5 TFSI quattro S tronic is the choice for the post-2024 specification and a 7-speed Automatic. Between its two entries, the 9.1 l/100 km version is preferable on the measured environmental figures: it uses 0.2 l/100 km less on the combined cycle and emits 4 g/km less CO₂. Price, used-car condition, reliability, engine code and repair history are not measured in the supplied data, so no value-for-money or reliability ranking can be made from this catalogue alone.