Verdict
A
Hot Hatch · Germany · 2011-Present
Audi RS3
Audi RS3 — spec data and generation history.
Years
2011-Present
Generations
3
Segment
Hot Hatch
RS-tier A3 — five-cylinder quattro hot hatch with the warble. 8P (2011–2012, very limited UK), 8V (2017–2020) launched RS3 properly with the new 2.5 TFSI EVO. 8Y (2021-Present) on MQB Evo with 401 bhp and torque-vectoring rear axle. Sportback (5-door hatch) and Saloon body styles on 8V/8Y.
What changed
Era-to-era deltas
8V 2017-2020 → 8Y 2021-Present
BHP +1 bhp
Torque +20 Nm
0–60 mph −0.3 s
Top speed +10 mph
MPG +5 mpg
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
2011-2012
8P
→
2.5 TFSI quattro — 335 bhp, 0-62 in 4.6s.
Verdict
B
BHP
335
0–60
4.6 s
Top
155 mph
MPG
31.0 mpg
Used
£18,000-£28,000
- + First proper RS3
- + 5-cyl warble debut
- − Sportback only
- − Short production run
2017-2020
8V
→
2.5 TFSI EVO quattro — 394 bhp, 0-62 in 4.1s.
Verdict
A
BHP
394
0–60
4.1 s
Top
174 mph
MPG
34.0 mpg
Used
£26,000-£42,000
- + New 2.5 TFSI EVO (lighter aluminium block)
- + Saloon body added
- − No manual
- − Run-flat tyres
2021-Present
8Y
→
2.5 TFSI quattro — 401 bhp, 0-62 in 3.8s.
Verdict
A
BHP
401
0–60
3.8 s
Top
180 mph
MPG
32.0 mpg
Used
£42,000-£68,000
- + RS Torque Splitter (rear torque vectoring)
- + Cabin step on
- − Heavy
- − No manual
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
2011-2012 · 8P
- 2.5 TFSI carbon build-up
- Haldex pump filter
- S-Tronic mechatronic
2017-2020 · 8V
- 2.5 TFSI EVO carbon build-up
- 7DCT mechatronic
- MMI freezes
2021-Present · 8Y
- Software updates needed early
- Rear torque-vectoring clutch service
- Carbon build-up