Audi harnesses the power of three with its new RS3

That means a high-powered, five cylinder, turbocharged engine—closely related to the one already found in the TTRS coupe—and a high price...of almost £40,000.

The German manufacturer announced that it would attach its RS performance branding to the hatchback segment for the first time ever when it released images of the RS3 Sportback today (22).

Four-wheel-drive and that 2.5-litre TFSI engine bestow it with 335bhp and 332lb.ft of torque, that’s enough tarmac tearing grunt to get to 62mph in an astonishing 4.6 seconds and on to an electronically-limited 155mph top speed.

Audi’s bare stats alone show that their new creation will set new standards for the hot hatch segment...blowing Ford’s Focus RS into the weeds.

Orders for the Audi RS3 Sportback will be taken from next month with deliveries expected in April next year.