The best of the RS3 is buried under layers of customisable options, data and a capability in any conditions.

Yes, the ride can nibble a little at bad surfaces, but you could absolutely have this as a daily driver without compromising your spinal integrity. The good thing is that the high-quality ride translates when going slowly. Weirdly, the Sportback hatch feels a bit keener on the twisty stuff, and the saloon a tad better at high speed stability, but that could be simply preconception – it’s the same gear underneath. But once you start to trust the car and give it more aggressive inputs, it becomes remarkably neutral. If we’re being very picky, the car can feel a little too front-wheel drive on very slick roads, although that’s probably the safest option, to be honest. If the tyres are in contact with the floor, they’re working, and they work hard for the RS3. You don’t get knocked off line, the steering is very accurate, even if it’s not the most chatty of systems – and nothing skips. But the best bit is the damping, because it makes all the systems feel remarkably natural – on a bumpy, unknown B-road, this would be the car to have.

The engine warbles away, grip is consistent and strong, body control just the right side of telling you what’s going on without leaning. The first jab gets you RS Performance mode.

Worth persevering with though, the initial bit is a faff, you can programme your settings to be applied with a double press of the RS button on the steering wheel.

If you want to put the time in you can get your own fine-tuned set-up out of the car, but it’s all a bit annoying at first.

Rss audi