{"id":69421,"date":"2026-07-17T13:35:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T05:35:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=69421"},"modified":"2026-07-17T13:35:02","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T05:35:02","slug":"audi-rs3-a-farewell-to-the-legendary-hot-hatch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/?p=69421","title":{"rendered":"Audi RS3: A farewell to the legendary hot hatch"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<p class=\"_base_1s8rd_1 _default_1s8rd_12\">News that Audi could be discontinuing the RS3 fills me with sadness. Stricter emission regulations mean Audi\u2019s legendary 5-cylinder engine likely won\u2019t be around for much longer. Seeing that this could be my last chance to drive the RS3 and experience that magical inline five, I grabbed it.<\/p>\n<p><iframe class=\"_base_1xuyu_1 _tiktok_1xuyu_26\" title=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed\/v2\/7663342391520136468?lang=en\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.5625\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"_base_1s8rd_1 _default_1s8rd_12\">Codenamed EA855, that 5-cylinder engine is an enthusiast\u2019s dream because it fulfils the two most basic and important desires: <b>power and noise<\/b>.\u00a00-100km\/h\u00a0even\u00a0in stock form\u00a0around\u00a03.8 seconds, and that number can start with a two if you bend the rules a little.\u00a0Lightly-tuned\u00a0examples making over 500hp on the stock turbo are a dime a dozen, while\u00a0heavily-modified\u00a0examples making over 1,000hp are well documented.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"_figure_wioo3_1\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"_base_12j3k_1\" alt=\"Audi RS3 5-cylinder EA855 engine\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1093\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/94eeee02c5301bf1a733b65da59aa3e9a2317ce0de4781b6b9c3cc25989ecb91?w=500&amp;q=85 500w,https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/94eeee02c5301bf1a733b65da59aa3e9a2317ce0de4781b6b9c3cc25989ecb91?w=800&amp;q=85 800w,https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/94eeee02c5301bf1a733b65da59aa3e9a2317ce0de4781b6b9c3cc25989ecb91?w=1000&amp;q=85 1000w,https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/94eeee02c5301bf1a733b65da59aa3e9a2317ce0de4781b6b9c3cc25989ecb91?w=2000&amp;q=85 2000w\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/94eeee02c5301bf1a733b65da59aa3e9a2317ce0de4781b6b9c3cc25989ecb91?w=1000&amp;q=85\" style=\"--custom-aspect-ratio:1.829826166514181;contain-intrinsic-size:2000px 1093px\"\/><figcaption class=\"_figureCaptions_wioo3_158\">\n<p class=\"_imageCaption_wioo3_165\">The 5-cylinder engine in the RS3 makes 395hp from factory.<\/p>\n<p>Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><iframe class=\"_base_1xuyu_1 _tiktok_1xuyu_26\" title=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed\/v2\/7663342934066089236?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc&amp;web_id=7553181520153069072\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.5625\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"_base_1s8rd_1 _default_1s8rd_12\">And then there\u2019s the noise it makes. <b>Some call it a warble, some say it sounds like a baby V10<\/b>. To my ears, both are valid. That extra cylinder and its firing order make for one of the most distinct and evocative sounds in all of motoring.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"_base_1s8rd_1 _default_1s8rd_12\">It\u2019s this recipe of horsepower and drama that makes the RS3 such a special car, and this latest version is arguably the best. It\u2019s a facelift of the model I drove back in 2022. The front and rear bumpers are new, and inside there\u2019s a squarer steering wheel and a stubbier gear selector. But the most important update is <b>a reworked exhaust that is more vocal<\/b> in the sportiest RS Performance setting. The pre-facelift model I drove was tragically muted; this new one sounds considerably more titillating.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"_figure_wioo3_1\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"_base_12j3k_1\" alt=\"Audi RS3 front wheels tyres\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto\" width=\"1140\" height=\"760\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/c32b079c7de4f545cddcf996bcd6c50443cc57035c8dea2de4293e4a1690ad7a?w=500&amp;q=85 500w,https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/c32b079c7de4f545cddcf996bcd6c50443cc57035c8dea2de4293e4a1690ad7a?w=800&amp;q=85 800w,https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/c32b079c7de4f545cddcf996bcd6c50443cc57035c8dea2de4293e4a1690ad7a?w=1000&amp;q=85 1000w,https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/c32b079c7de4f545cddcf996bcd6c50443cc57035c8dea2de4293e4a1690ad7a 1140w\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/c32b079c7de4f545cddcf996bcd6c50443cc57035c8dea2de4293e4a1690ad7a?w=1000&amp;q=85\" style=\"--custom-aspect-ratio:1.5;contain-intrinsic-size:1140px 760px\"\/><figcaption class=\"_figureCaptions_wioo3_158\">\n<p class=\"_imageCaption_wioo3_165\">One interesting fact of the RS3 is that it has wider tyres up front. Fronts are 265mm, while the rears are narrower 245mm.<\/p>\n<p>Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><iframe class=\"_base_1xuyu_1 _tiktok_1xuyu_26\" title=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed\/v2\/7663344238972816660?is_from_webapp=1&amp;sender_device=pc&amp;web_id=7553181520153069072\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.5625\" allowfullscreen=\"\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share;\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p class=\"_base_1s8rd_1 _default_1s8rd_12\">Oddly, even though the\u00a0all-wheel drive\u00a0system is said to be unchanged, this\u00a0facelift\u00a0model feels more neutral on initial turn-in.\u00a0Its predecessor turned more eagerly, like a golden retriever chasing its favourite ball. Still, this is a mighty enjoyable car. It goes where you want it to, and all the while it feels exciting, helpful, and reassuring. All those complaints of nose-heaviness and understeer that plagued the earlier 8P and later 8V generations of the RS3 do not apply to this new car.<\/p>\n<p class=\"_base_1s8rd_1 _default_1s8rd_12\">Also, the ride remains as refined and as pliant as before. Even on poor roads, the RS3 rides with a level of composure you do not expect from a 400hp hot hatch.\u00a0If comfort is a priority, the RS3 is more\u00a0amenable\u00a0than both the\u00a0Mercedes AMGCLA45S and A45S.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"_figure_wioo3_1\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"_base_12j3k_1\" alt=\"Audi RS3 rear 3\/4 view\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"auto\" width=\"1140\" height=\"760\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/17fb8486363c0e195dccbe5bf758799e231e5aba8bdb1d53551bc56cbebc797e?w=500&amp;q=85 500w,https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/17fb8486363c0e195dccbe5bf758799e231e5aba8bdb1d53551bc56cbebc797e?w=800&amp;q=85 800w,https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/17fb8486363c0e195dccbe5bf758799e231e5aba8bdb1d53551bc56cbebc797e?w=1000&amp;q=85 1000w,https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/17fb8486363c0e195dccbe5bf758799e231e5aba8bdb1d53551bc56cbebc797e 1140w\" src=\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/hardwarezone\/17fb8486363c0e195dccbe5bf758799e231e5aba8bdb1d53551bc56cbebc797e?w=1000&amp;q=85\" style=\"--custom-aspect-ratio:1.5;contain-intrinsic-size:1140px 760px\"\/><figcaption class=\"_figureCaptions_wioo3_158\">\n<p class=\"_imageCaption_wioo3_165\">It\u2019s not cheap, but its incredible breadth of capabilities somewhat justifies its price tag.<\/p>\n<p>Photo: HWZ<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"_base_1s8rd_1 _default_1s8rd_12\">You see, the RS3 really is one of those rare performance cars that covers all bases. It\u2019s fast and exciting, but it\u2019s also comfortable and practical. It seems like there\u2019s nothing it can\u2019t do. Furthermore, in the context of hot hatches, it stands out for its more exotic motor. In Singapore, where the cost of car ownership is tragically high, this breadth of abilities makes the RS3 a more sensible purchase \u2013 even if the price tag starts at a hefty <b>S$465,999<\/b>. If this is the end of the RS3, then there\u2019s no question that it will go out on a high.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"availability-and-pricing\" class=\"_subHeading1_1k87u_111 _base_1k87u_1\">Availability and pricing<\/h2>\n<p class=\"_base_1s8rd_1 _default_1s8rd_12\">The Audi RS3 is available now and prices start at <b>S$465,999<\/b>. For more information, visit Audi\u2019s website.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.tiktok.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><br \/>\n<br \/><br \/>\n<center><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hardwarezone.com.sg\/lifestyle\/cars\/audi-rs3-sportback-2026-singapore-review-price-specs-buy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Read Full Article At Source <\/a><br \/>\n<center\/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>News that Audi could be discontinuing the RS3 fills me with sadness. Stricter emission regulations mean Audi\u2019s legendary 5-cylinder engine likely won\u2019t be around for&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":69422,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[16384,16070,26680,662,2639,26679],"class_list":["post-69421","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tech-gadgets-reviews","tag-audi","tag-farewell","tag-hatch","tag-hot","tag-legendary","tag-rs3","wpcat-32-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69421","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=69421"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/69421\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/69422"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=69421"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=69421"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sgbuzz.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=69421"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}