The RS 3 Sportback bullies its way in as the final swansong of the gracefully aging A3 series, which stretches back to 2003 in its current generation.
Just launched in South Africa, the high-performance hatch undercuts its logical rival - BMW's 1 Series M Coupe - by around R20 000, the Audi coming in at R525 000, but unless you come across a nice example in the used car lot, don't expect to lay your hands on an RS 3 as all 54 units allocated for this year have been spoken for. That said, Audi is trying to scoop another 50 for next year.
The first-ever A3 model to wear the iconic RS badge, the RS 3 shares its heart and guts with the TT RS. This means Audi's 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbopetrol engine (a modern homage to the original Quattro's motor) was never only destined for the TT.
Pushing 250kW at 6800rpm and 450Nm from 1600rpm, Audi says it'll dart from 0-100km/h in only 4.6 seconds, making it just 0.1s slower than the lighter TT RS. Launch control is in place to facilitate this rapid sprint.
A seven-speed dual-clutch S Tronic transmission feeds the ponies to all four 19-inch wheels via quattro and an RS sport suspension is in place to keep the RS 3 in check through the corners.
To test this theory, Audi gave us one to play with around the Killarney race circuit in Cape Town. Pushed to the limit around this relatively tight track, I was impressed by its stability and lack of body roll. It feels predictable and safe as houses, but at the limit it's more prone to understeering than its RS 5 sibling, the latter letting you flow through corners more freely by balancing it all with a good dose of oversteer.
The RS 3's steering also lacks sensation and is weighted too light for ultimate driver satisfaction.
The engine, however, dishes up plenty feel-good-factor with its rorty, off-beat tone and abundant boost, while the gearbox provides rapid yet pleasantly notable shifts.
If I have to nitpick here, I did wish for a bit more responsiveness from the engine and gearbox when exiting corners.
In typical RS style, the RS 3's special performance status is illustrated through RS-specific front and rear bumpers, alloy wheels and flared wheel arches.
Inside the cabin, it is rather similar to the S3 - it has a few sporty touches but it's still rather subtle - and RS 3 additions include piano black inserts and rear park distance control. The RS 3 even has satnav as standard and Audi claims there are not many options available so unlike most Audis, you're unlikely to part with much more than the stated list price.
As the Sportback bodystyle is the only one available in the RS 3, you also get a practical and spacious five-seat format, complete with folding rear seats. It's a perfect car, then, for the family man who refuses to grow up.