Audi's 5-Cylinder Hot Hatch Is Getting A Hardcore Goodbye

This is clearly an Audi RS3, but it's not something we've seen before. This RS3 is hiding some aerodynamic upgrades, and we're pretty sure there's more power under the hood. This, friends, could be our very first look at a new Audi RS3 GT.

And whoa, Nellie do we have quite a look. The CarBuzz spy photographers didn't hold back on the shutter, snapping over 30 digital images of this murdered-out Audi ripping around the Nürburgring. We have lots to discuss about this hotter RS3, so let's dive in. Should you be the impatient type, scroll to the end for a full gallery of photos.

Not Going Quietly Into The Night

Let's establish some context before diving deeper into the prototype. The current-generation A3 is getting long in the tooth. It debuted way back in 2020, and with its mid-cycle refresh dropping for the 2025 model year, Audi is on the back half of the compact's lifespan. That's noteworthy for this particular sighting; a hotter RS3 GT could be a curtain call for the fourth-generation run. Moreover, if Audi continues pushing into the electric segment, it just might be the end of the turbocharged inline-five that has been Audi's iconic horsepower hero for decades. Giving it one last hurrah in a hopped-up RS3 would be a wonderful send-off.

We know Audi has an entry-level EV in the works that slots with the A3's segment. But with general chaos surrounding the auto industry these days, not to mention waning demand for EVs, the future is uncertain to say the least. Audi might extend the current-generation A3, as suggested by other spy shots showing updated interiors. Or a new generation with ICE power could be back on the table. One thing we do know is that this menacing RS3 GT will fit in there, somewhere.

More Aero, More Carbon, More Power

Taking a close look at this prototype, we immediately notice the flics on the sides of the front fascia. Those little winglets are easy to spot, but less obvious are the small extensions to the front lip beneath each corner vent. At the rear, this RS3 wears a more aggressive roof spoiler. Our spy sources tell us the RS3 GT will get a healthy infusion of carbon fiber; we suspect that will come in the form of a hood, fascias and possibly fenders. Audi gave a similar treatment to the RS6 Avant GT, so it makes sense the RS3 would follow suit.

The really interesting stuff will take place under all that carbon fiber. We can already see blue brake calipers, indicating some kind of upgrade is happening at the wheels. Sharper suspension tuning is all but guaranteed, likely swapping some comfort for all-out performance. As for the engine, we don't know how much is left in the delectable 2.5-liter turbo-five, but our sources tell us more power is coming.

The current RS3 generates 401 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, naturally going to all four wheels through Audi's Quattro system. A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission handles the shifting. Changes could be as simple as an engine remap for a little more grunt, or Audi could change some hardware. Nothing is obviously confirmed at this point, but our sources do give us one final clue. This particular prototype, while certainly being driven hard, apparently wasn't being pushed for maximum attack. It was endurance-testing, which suggests there are indeed some notable mechanical changes that need to be validated.

When Does It Arrive, And Where?

When will we get a full reveal of the hottest RS3? That's also unclear, but with this being our first sighting and the A3 having a recent refresh, we could be looking at several months before anything official is announced. Whether it lands in the US, however, is a different story. This prototype is clearly the hatchback, which isn't sold in the States.

At this point, a debut in the first half of 2026 is our best guess. In the meantime, we'll keep our eyes open for hopped-up RS3 sedans.