2023 Audi RS3 Sedan launched in Malaysia, RM647k – 2.5L 5cyl turbo, 400 PS, 500 Nm, AWD, new drift mode

2023 Audi RS3 Sedan launched in Malaysia, RM647k – 2.5L 5cyl turbo, 400 PS, 500 Nm, AWD, new drift mode

The Audi RS3 Sedan, previewed here late last year, is now officially available in Malaysia. The hot compact sedan is priced at RM646,990 inclusive of duties and sales tax, or RM655,990 with the Audi Assurance Package (AAP).

Sounds high? A big chunk of it is tax – prices are RM315,343 and RM324,343 with the AAP in Langkawi and Labuan, PHS Automotive Malaysia (PHSAM) revealed. By the way, AAP includes a 2+3 year warranty and three years of free maintenance (the standard factory warranty is two years).

The is the second generation to wear the RS3 Sedan badge, and it’s powered by a 2.5 litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine that makes 400 PS and 500 Nm of torque from 2,250 rpm to 5,600 rpm. Power is sent to all four corners – quattro AWD, of course – via a seven-speed dual-clutch S tronic gearbox.

2023 Audi RS3 Sedan launched in Malaysia, RM647k – 2.5L 5cyl turbo, 400 PS, 500 Nm, AWD, new drift mode

Those are big figures, and the small RS sedan goes from rest to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds, three tenths faster than the tamer-looking old booted RS3, while top speed is capped at 250 km/h. Audi claims that the RS3 Sedan is the fastest compact car to lap the Nurburgring, covering Green Hell in seven minutes 40.748 seconds.

New for this generation is the Audi-first Torque Splitter, where an electronically-controlled multiple-disc clutch pack on each drive shaft replaces the previous arrangement of differential and multi-disc clutch combination. This setup enables the driveline to optimally distribute torque between each rear wheel, with more going to the outside rear wheel with higher load during cornering to eliminate understeer.

Torque Splitter also facilitates more controlled drifts on track, where the system can send all of the engine’s output to just one of the rear wheels, with up to 1,750 Nm of torque possible at each rear wheel. Audi developed the new RS Torque Rear drive mode specifically for this. Also new is the RS Performance drive mode.

2023 Audi RS3 Sedan launched in Malaysia, RM647k – 2.5L 5cyl turbo, 400 PS, 500 Nm, AWD, new drift mode

Other RS goodies include RS sport suspension plus with adaptive damper control, ceramic brake discs, unique 19-inch wheels, RS-specific front and rear bumpers and an exhaust system with a fully variable flap control system. Inside, you’ll find a shift indicator, Nappa leather seats with honeycomb stitching and a flat-bottomed steering wheel with a top marker and RS button. New head-up display, too.

There are six colour choices – Kemora Grey, Glacier White, Mythos Black, Python Yellow, Daytona Gray and this example’s striking Kyalami Green with matching cabin highlights.

More on the Audi RS3 Sedan here. What do you think of the performance and package on offer versus the 421 PS/500 Nm Mercedes-AMG A45 S?

GALLERY: 2023 Audi RS3 Sedan in Kyalami Green

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Thanks to tax for making it this expensive and not competitively priced.

    Feel that Audi is not as prominent in the market as compared to BMW and Mercedes multiple models.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 10
    • Civic Turbo 2018 on Mar 29, 2023 at 2:45 pm

      People buying RS3 not because is faster
      People buying RS3 just to show wealth
      People buying RS3 richer than CLA45

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 6
      • Kariayam on Mar 29, 2023 at 4:02 pm

        people buying RS3 dont exist because those people bought an M3 & C63 for the same money

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 14
        • New things will change, not necessary have to stick with famous logo without knowing happening when breakdown and what does have while don’t have. Logo is already out of relevant and others are more relevant than logo

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
      • $T20 compact sport car.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Squid on Mar 29, 2023 at 12:24 pm

    Last night on YouTube, watched this beast tuned to 700hp+ eat supercars all day long! Madness…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 1
  • Common on Mar 29, 2023 at 2:11 pm

    The only way to reduce corruption and price of goods/groceries in Malaysia is by reducing the tax of european brand cars. There is parallel connection. Based on my survey; most of the retailers are expecting profit is because of for buying luxury branded cars and only few are using it to buy properties. If our government reduce the tax of luxury items thus automatically prices of goods will reduce.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
  • tricycle on Mar 29, 2023 at 3:15 pm

    Please consider to ckd all Audi products, at least in this case, RS3 can compete with the A45 in terms of pricing. 600k not many people can afford.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
  • Small Sporty RS3 on Mar 29, 2023 at 3:18 pm

    647k worth of its small sporty sedan

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
  • Small Sporty RS3 on Mar 29, 2023 at 3:18 pm

    647k worth of its small sporty sedan

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2
  • AppleTree on Mar 29, 2023 at 4:39 pm

    Bye..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 4
  • jdmcarlover07 on Mar 29, 2023 at 4:47 pm

    Now seeing the Sedan version of the RS3, i don’t think PHS will ever bring the cheaper hatchback version of the RS3

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
  • S50 FTW on Mar 29, 2023 at 7:21 pm

    I hope that there are some design cues of this RS3 that will be integrated into the S50

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • Nice sporty car

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • I would love to look forward to bring CKD Audi models soon. Come on Audi Malaysia.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 1
 

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