2025 Audi RS3 Faces Price Increase Yet Offers More Value | Carscoops

      While it may not be any faster in a straight line, the 2025 RS3 has improved its Nürburgring lap time by 7 seconds compared to its predecessor.

      15 hours ago by Stephen Rivers

      The refreshed 2025 Audi RS3 sedan comes with a price increase of $1,900, bringing the starting price to $63,400. Audi promises enhanced handling thanks to a re-tuned suspension and an updated torque splitter. Exterior modifications feature sharper bumpers, larger air intakes, and new paint options.

      Audi has revamped the RS3 for 2025, and despite the higher price, it offers more features. The base price is now $63,400, or $64,695 when including a $1,295 destination fee. Although this is an increase from last year’s final price of $62,795, the additional cost comes with significant upgrades.

      If you’re looking at competitors, the BMW M2 with its 473 hp might catch your eye, though it's a two-door, rear-wheel-drive model. Interestingly, Audi managed to outperform the M2’s Nürburgring lap time despite the BMW’s slightly higher price of $65,500.

      The exterior and interior enhancements serve as an enticing introduction.

      The most noticeable modifications to the RS3 are in its design and aesthetics. The bumpers are now more pronounced, equipped with RS-specific diffusers. The front air intake is larger, and the grille features a rhombus pattern along with an Anthracite Audi badge. New 19-inch wheels are available, and buyers can select from fresh paint colors like Arkona White, Progressive Red Metallic, and Ascari Blue Metallic.

      Additionally, a significant update for everyday driving is the introduction of Matrix-design LED headlights. These lights can adjust their beam pattern to illuminate as much of the road as possible while other vehicles are present. Similarly to the previous RS3, drivers can customize their daytime running light (DRL) patterns via the infotainment system.

      Audi has also refreshed the RS3’s interior. The new flat-bottomed steering wheel includes RS Mode buttons and aluminum paddle shifters, along with multi-color ambient lighting and an updated shifter. Furthermore, the silver cabin trim from the earlier model is now offered in Vanadium grey.

      Less Power but Enhanced Handling – and a New Nürburgring Record

      These exterior updates are intriguing, but the key aspect is how the car performs. Audi claims the driving experience has improved significantly, thanks to re-tuned suspension components and new logic for the RS Torque Splitter. This advanced rear differential has been well-regarded since its introduction. It’s hard to believe the RS3 could improve upon its initial performance, yet we are enthusiastic to try the 2025 version regardless.

      This enthusiasm is justified, as the pre-production model set a new Nürburgring record for the fastest compact car, outperforming its predecessor's time by more than 7 seconds. Last summer, it completed the infamous track in an impressive 7:33.123 compared to the RS3 sedan’s 2021 time of 7:40.748, despite the turbocharged five-cylinder engine maintaining the same output of 394 hp in the European variant.

      The straight-line performance remains unchanged, with the new RS3 achieving 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 180 mph (289 km/h) with the Dynamic Plus package, a 25 mph increase over the standard top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).

      Thus, the remarkable improvement in its Nürburgring lap time is logically attributed to the refinements in suspension and the RS Torque Splitter, and possibly advancements in tire technology, although Audi did not specify the tires used by the record-setting car.