Audi RS3

Expectations are extremely high for the Audi RS3. Developed by the same team who produced our Performance Car of the Year in 2009, the Audi R8, the newcomer promises to be one of the fastest and most exciting hot hatches money can buy.

Initial impressions are positive, as the menacing-looking Audi’s turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine delivers incredibly deep-chested performance – it punches hard from as little as 1,500rpm. But it’s the throaty soundtrack that really stands out.

Work the engine hard and the distinctive offbeat growl from the exhaust will convince you that you’re behind the wheel of one of Audi’s firebreathing Group B rally cars from the eighties. The seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox, which serves up rapid-fire shifts via the steering paddles, also impresses.

As you’d expect, traction from the RS3’s quattro all-wheel-drive transmission is simply staggering. On wet or greasy roads, the car inspires huge confidence, allowing you to use all its available performance without fear of unwanted wheelspin or an unexpected slide.

It’s a shame, then, that the RS3 lacks the fun factor you’d expect from such a rapid pocket rocket. The steering is direct and well weighted, but it lacks any real feedback. And while it was brutally fast at the track, it didn’t have the involvement or adjustability that keen drivers crave. Once the Audi’s incredibly high levels of grip have been exceeded, the heavy nose simply washes wide.

There are other problems, too, such as the dated cabin and high-set driving position.

To get the best of the RS3 you need to stick to the road, where the explosive pace, limpet-like grip and compact size make it a devastatingly fast ride. It’s not the most engaging performance car here, but the Audi deserves its place in our top 10.

For an in-depth buyer's guide on the Audi RS3 from Classic and Performance Car click here...