In June, a still-camouflaged (but quite exposed) Audi Sport RS 3 sedan prototype took to the Nürburgring Nordschleife for testing with one goal in mind for the development team: to beat the BMW M2’s class lap record at the Green Hell. The revamped Audi RS 3 pre-production model with the “legendary five-cylinder engine” under the hood achieved that goal, as man (Frank Stippler) and machine achieved a new homologated lap record at the Nürburgring Nordschleife: 7:33.123 minutes.
Previously, the fastest lap was recorded by Jorg Weidinger in the BMW M2, who clocked minutes and 38.71 seconds. Apparently, it was easy for Audi to explain the result in a few laconic words: the newly optimized chassis setup allowed for “higher cornering speeds (which) proved to be the key to success.” However, a few weeks later, we are finally treated to the much-rumored, spied, rendered, and leaked 2025 Audi Sport RS 3, in both Sportback and sedan form.
In addition to the new class lap record, the Audi RS 3 also boasts a “sporty, dynamic design: expressive front end and eye-catching diffuser, carbon details, RS bucket seats and a steering wheel that is flat at the top and bottom.” We shouldn't forget the more precise tuning of the chassis control systems for improved cornering grip, and the company has also fitted new standard tires to both versions.
The compact performance car gets a few styling tweaks inside and out, which are pretty obvious: with a revised grille sitting between smarter matrix LED headlights with selectable daytime running light graphics, new air intakes, reworked taillight graphics, and new colors like Ascari Blue metallic and Progressive Red. There’s also a first-ever matte finish for the Daytona Gray shade, by the way. The standard 19-inch wheels can be swapped for RS 3 Performance Edition alloys, and inside, there are optional carbon-fiber bucket seats.
The refreshed Audi RS 3 lineup retains the same 2.5-liter five-cylinder TFSI engine with 395 hp in Europe and 401 hp in America, which only has the four-door sedan, as always. Meanwhile, the Old Continent also has the Sportback and VW AG has a wide selection to offer: these two Audis, the spicy Cupra models, the sensible Skoda Octavia (v)RS, as well as the Golf R hot hatchback and station wagon. Last but not least, in its homeland in Germany, prices for the 2025 Audi RS 3 Sportback start at €66,000, which translates to over $73,000 at the current exchange rate. Oddly enough, you have to add another €2,000 (about $2,210) for the sedan.
