X

Audi RS3 Sportback morphs hot sedan into hot hatch

It's exactly the same as the RS3 sedan, but with a bit more junk in the trunk.

Andrew Krok
Cars are Andrew's jam, as is strawberry. After spending years as a regular ol' car fanatic, he started working his way through the echelons of the automotive industry, starting out as social-media director of a small European-focused garage outside of Chicago. From there, he moved to the editorial side, penning several written features in Total 911 Magazine before becoming a full-time auto writer, first for a local Chicago outlet and then for CNET Cars.
Andrew Krok
Audi RS3 Sportback
1 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Mmmmm, more hatchbacks.

Audi RS3 Sportback
2 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Sadly, this one won't be coming to the US.

Audi RS3 Sportback
3 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

It will, however, capture our hearts in a way that the RS3 sedan (which is coming Stateside) cannot.

Audi RS3 Sportback
4 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

It's exactly the same car, apart from the rear end.

Audi RS3 Sportback
5 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

It still sports a 400-horsepower, 2.5-liter I5.

Audi RS3 Sportback
6 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Its 0-62 time is a scant 4.1 seconds, which isn't bad for what could technically be a family car.

Audi RS3 Sportback
7 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Compared to the regular A3 Sportback, it's lower and wider.

Audi RS3 Sportback
8 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

The interior features Nappa leather and sport seats.

Audi RS3 Sportback
9 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

There's also an RS-specific readout in the gauge cluster screen that displays G-forces, tire pressures and torque output.

Audi RS3 Sportback
10 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

Thankfully, we at least get the sedan, so we can still have some fun with this one.

Audi RS3 Sportback
11 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Audi RS3 Sportback
12 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Audi RS3 Sportback
13 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Audi RS3 Sportback
14 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Audi RS3 Sportback
15 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Audi RS3 Sportback
16 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Audi RS3 Sportback
17 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Audi RS3 Sportback
18 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Audi RS3 Sportback
19 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Audi RS3 Sportback
20 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Audi RS3 Sportback
21 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Audi RS3 Sportback
22 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Audi RS3 Sportback
23 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Audi RS3 Sportback
24 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Audi RS3 Sportback
25 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Audi RS3 Sportback
26 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Audi RS3 Sportback
27 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Audi RS3 Sportback
28 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Audi RS3 Sportback
29 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Audi RS3 Sportback
30 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Audi RS3 Sportback
31 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Audi RS3 Sportback
32 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Audi RS3 Sportback
33 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Audi RS3 Sportback
34 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET
Audi RS3 Sportback
35 of 35 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos