The new RS3 is much quicker than Audi claims

When Audi unveiled the new, third-gen RS3 back in July, it claimed a 0-62mph time of 3.8 seconds.

If that were correct, it would make the new iteration three tenths quicker than its predecessor, although that was a car that could regularly churn out much quicker sprints.

You may not be surprised to hear then, that the new 395bhp, 2.5-litre five-cylinder-engined mega-hatch will easily beat its claimed acceleration stats. 

TG can verify this having done just one launch in less than perfect conditions - a dusty, cold (but crucially closed) road and winter tyres - in one of the circa 100 UK-spec Launch Editions. Proper consumer testing for you. Our time from a standstill to 62mph? Just 3.6 seconds, and there’s no way that’s thanks to the driver.

Think what this thing could do in ideal conditions. Remember Mercedes claims 3.9 seconds for the 409bhp AMG A45S too. Hatches really have gone supersonic.

Read our full RS3 review by clicking these blue words.