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Audi RS3

Five cylinders, 300 km/h, just 300 examples: RS 3 performance edition.1

Researched October 30, 2026 from 22 sources

At a glance

0250500
335–401 hpPower
0510
3.8–4.6 s0–100 km/h
0150300
250–300 km/hTop speed
0250500
420–500 N·mTorque
01,0002,000
1,570–1,650 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.1467

Engine
2.5 L turbo inline-five; nine straight Engine of the Year awards24
Layout
quattro AWD; Haldex before the 2021 rear torque splitter410
Gearbox
Seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch14
Built at
2024 Sportback/Sedan: Audi plant, Ingolstadt7
Units built
Almost 80,000 across the family by August 20247

The story

An everyday entry point to Audi's RS range, the RS 3 wraps five-cylinder turbo power in a compact body. The 2021 generation added a rear torque splitter and a dedicated drift mode.23

2010: The first RS 3 is unveiled20102011: Geneva debut; 5,400 built20112015: Second-generation Sportback launches20152017: The sedan reaches the US20172021: 7:40.748 at the Nürburgring · A torque splitter and two new RS modes20212022: Performance edition reaches 300 km/h20222024: 7:33.123 at the Nürburgring20242026: First RS 3 with adjustable coilovers2026 Audi S3 (8L): From 19998LAudi A3 (8P): 2003–20138PAudi RS3 Sportback (8PA): 2011–20128PAAudi RS3 Sportback / Sedan (8VA): 2015–20208VAAudi RS3 Sportback / Sedan (8YA): 2021–present8YA 200020052010201520202025
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones41013
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
From 1999Audi S3 (8L)
2003–2013Audi A3 (8P)
2011–2012Audi RS3 Sportback (8PA)
2015–2020Audi RS3 Sportback / Sedan (8VA)
2021–presentAudi RS3 Sportback / Sedan (8YA)
2010The first RS 3 is unveiled
2011Geneva debut; 5,400 built
2015Second-generation Sportback launches
2017The sedan reaches the US
20217:40.748 at the Nürburgring
2021A torque splitter and two new RS modes
2022Performance edition reaches 300 km/h
20247:33.123 at the Nürburgring
2026First RS 3 with adjustable coilovers
  1. 2010

    The first RS 3 is unveiled

    Audi reveals its first RS 3 in November: a five-door Sportback with a turbocharged 2.5 L inline-five.4

  2. 2011

    Geneva debut; 5,400 built

    The original Sportback makes its formal Geneva debut and launches in spring. Its 2011–2012 production run totals 5,400 cars.4

  3. 2015

    Second-generation Sportback launches

    The new Sportback launches in June with 362 hp and 465 Nm, reaching 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds.4

  4. 2017

    The sedan reaches the US

    The sedan's all-new 394 hp 2.5 TFSI delivers 0–100 km/h in 4.1 seconds; first US cars are preconfigured 2017s with Audi virtual cockpit and sports exhaust.45

  5. 2021

    7:40.748 at the Nürburgring

    Frank Stippler sets the sedan's compact-class record. Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R semi-slicks become a factory option.6

  6. 2021

    A torque splitter and two new RS modes

    Sportback and sedan launch with 394 hp and 500 Nm. The rear torque splitter brings RS Performance track mode and RS Torque Rear drift mode.67

  7. 2022

    Performance edition reaches 300 km/h

    Audi announces 300 Sportbacks and sedans with 401 hp and a 300 km/h maximum; bucket seats, ceramic brakes and adaptive dampers are standard.1

  8. 2024

    7:33.123 at the Nürburgring

    Frank Stippler's pre-production RS 3 reclaims the compact-class record. The update adds new standard tires and finer chassis controls, retaining 394 hp.78

  9. 2026

    First RS 3 with adjustable coilovers

    The competition limited marks 50 years of Audi five-cylinders with 750 planned examples, adjustable coilovers and a consecutively numbered cabin.9

Every generation

  • Audi S3
    8LFrom 1999
  • Audi A3
    8P2003–2013
  • Audi RS3 Sportback
    8PA2011–2012
  • Audi RS3 Sportback / Sedan
    8VA2015–2020
  • Audi RS3 Sportback / Sedan
    8YA2021–present

Power over the years

From 335 hp to 401 hp in 11 years.

0200400600 2010201220142016201820202022 hp 2011 · 335 hp · Original Sportback2015 · 362 hp · Second-generation Sportback2017 · 394 hp · Updated Sportback / new Sedan2021 · 394 hp · New Sportback and Sedan2022 · 401 hp · performance edition 401 hp performance edition 335 hp Original Sportback
147
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
2011335Original Sportback
2015362Second-generation Sportback
2017394Updated Sportback / new Sedan
2021394New Sportback and Sedan
2022401performance edition

Versions

10 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • RS3 Sportback (second generation)

    Standard

    RS3 Sportback (second generation)

    2015–2016

    362 hp

  • Standard

    RS3 Sportback / Sedan (2017 update)

    2017–2020

    394 hp

  • Standard

    RS3 Sportback / Sedan (2021 launch)

    2021–2024

    394 hp
  • RS3 Sportback / Sedan (2024 update)

    Standard

    RS3 Sportback / Sedan (2024 update)

    2024–present

    394 hp

  • Standard

    RS3 Vorsprung (UK)

    2021

    394 hp

  • Special

    RS3 Sedan (US launch specification)

    2017

    394 hp

  • Limited

    RS3 competition limited

    2026

    394 hp

  • Limited

    RS3 performance edition

    2023

    401 hp

  • Limited

    RS3 Nardo Edition (US)

    2020

    394 hp

  • Limited

    RS3 Launch Edition (UK)

    2021

    394 hp

How to spot one

Look for

  • 2011–2012: wider front fenders distinguish the original RS3 from the regular A3.410
  • 2021–2024: honeycomb mesh fills the front grille.24
  • 2021–2024: protruding vents sit behind the front wheel arches.2411
  • 2021–2024: a large oval exhaust outlet sits on each side of the rear diffuser.24
  • 2021–2024: optional Matrix LEDs show checkered-flag daytime running lights.24

Year by year

  1. 2017–2018

    Sedan arrives with the revised Sportback in 2017; 2018 US sedans have full LED lights and optional Virtual Cockpit.45

  2. 2021

    New front-arch outlets appear; optional Matrix LEDs show RS3 lettering and checkered-flag animations.2411

  3. 2024 facelift

    Front grille becomes wider and flatter, with black vertical intake blades and three openings above the full-width splitter.47

  4. 2024 facelift

    Rear gets vertical reflectors and a diffuser with a central red reflector; standard wheels become matte-black 19-inch 5-Y spokes.47

  5. 2024 facelift

    Steering wheel is flat at both top and bottom; optional RS bucket seats have matte carbon backs.47

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Audi RS3
    RS3
    Photo of a Audi A3 Sportback
    Audi A3 Sportback

    Audi A3 Sportback

    On 2011–2012 cars, the RS3 has wider front fenders, broad side skirts and a roof-edge spoiler.41013

  • Photo of a Audi RS3
    RS3
    Photo of a Audi S3
    Audi S3

    Audi S3

    On 2021 cars, the RS3 sits 10 mm lower; its front-arch outlets and large oval exhausts are useful checks.2611

Against its rivals

  • Mercedes-AMG A45

    RS3 vs Mercedes-AMG A45

    Power

    RS3395 hp
    Mercedes-AMG A45376 hp
    14
  • BMW M2

    RS3 vs BMW M2

    Power

    RS3395 hp
    BMW M2365 hp
    14

Prices

Value today $27.6K–$72.0K19

Price when newAuction saleValue today
$0$20K$40K$60K$80K 2016201820202022202420262028 Value today: $27,600–$72,000 2017 · $54,500 · US base, excl. destination2018 · $54,900 · US base, excl. destination 2017 · $54,500 · US base price, 2017 model year 2026 · $53,500 · 2024 RS3, 13k miles, Bring a Trailer $53.5K Bring a Trailer, 2026
521
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
2017Launch price$54,500US base price, 2017 model year
2017Price when new$54,500US base, excl. destination
2018Price when new$54,900US base, excl. destination
2026Auction sale$53,5002024 RS3, 13k miles, Bring a Trailer
2026Value today$27,600–$72,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 10 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “Stippler's 7:40.748 compact-class record”
    • “7:33.123 through smarter cornering”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 5 generations

  • Market

    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 22 sources
  1. The Highest Arts: Audi RS 3 performance edition | audi.com audi.com
  2. Audi RS 3 Sportback and RS 3 Sedan: The epitome of sporty driving | audi.com audi.com
  3. Lateral dynamics in precision: the performance curve of the Audi RS 3 | audi.com audi.com
  4. Audi RS3 – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  5. 2018 Audi RS3 Sedan Coming To New York, Priced From $54,900 | Carscoops carscoops.com
  6. The CHASSIS: a new level of driving dynamics | audi.com audi.com
  7. A feast for the senses: upgrade for the Audi RS 3 | audi.com audi.com
  8. Back on track: New official lap time for Audi RS 3 | Nürburgring nuerburgring.de
  9. Glorious five: Audi RS 3 competition limited | audi.com audi.com
  10. 30 years of the Audi A3: three decades of ‘Vorsprung’ in the premium compact segment | audi.com audi.com
  11. New Audi RS 3 priced - Girlracer Magazine girlracer.co.uk
  12. Audi RS3 Limousine Nardo Edition: Sondermodell für die USA auto-motor-und-sport.de
  13. Audi A3 8P – Wikipedia de.wikipedia.org
  14. Audi RS3 Vs BMW M2 Vs Mercedes-AMG A45: What's The Best 'Junior' Posh Performance Car? | CarThrottle carthrottle.com
  15. Top award for RS 3 LMS | Audi Magazine Australia magazine.audi.com.au
  16. Barcelona Race 2: Volt wins as Coronel takes the Drivers’ title europe.tcr-series.com
  17. Forza Horizon 5 Car List forza.net
  18. Forza Horizon 5 Series 8 Update forza.net
  19. Audi RS3 Auction Results: 64 Verified Sales | DriveIndex driveindex.com
  20. Used Audi RS3 (8V, 2015 – 2020), review, specs and buying guide for a hyper hatch bargain | evo evo.co.uk
  21. 2024 Audi RS3 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $53,500 on May 20, 2026 (Lot #243,637) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  22. One-Owner, 15k-Mile 2018 Audi RS3 for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $43,500 on October 7, 2026 (Lot #267,044) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • audi.com
  • de.wikipedia.org
  • carscoops.com
  • nuerburgring.de
  • girlracer.co.uk
  • auto-motor-und-sport.de
  • carthrottle.com
  • magazine.audi.com.au
  • europe.tcr-series.com
  • forza.net
  • driveindex.com
  • evo.co.uk
  • bringatrailer.com

Photo credits

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