The 2025 Audi RS 3 is a five-cylinder firecracker

The five-cylinder engine has carved a unique niche in the automotive world since its debut in passenger vehicles, thanks to Mercedes-Benz in 1974. This unconventional engine configuration thrived in the 1980s, particularly among manufacturers seeking a motor that was both narrower than a V6 and smoother than an inline-four. Audi's association with this engine grew, especially following the motorsport triumphs of its five-cylinder rally cars like the Sport Quattro S1 E2. As technology advanced and turbocharging became the norm, the five-cylinder layout's popularity waned. However, the 2025 Audi RS 3 remains a testament to this engineering marvel, standing as the last production car to utilize a five-cylinder engine—both for Audi and the broader automotive market. Priced at $63,400, the RS 3’s return in 2022 seemed like a nod to enthusiasts, a fleeting glimpse of a bygone era amidst a rapid shift toward electrification and modular designs. Against the odds, the RS 3 continues to thrive, receiving notable enhancements for 2025. Although the updates lean more toward evolutionary improvements rather than groundbreaking changes, they enhance the appeal of this already exhilarating sports sedan. Externally, the RS 3 features redesigned front and rear fascias that refine its appearance, complemented by fresh matrix LED headlights and a striking new 19-inch wheel design that emphasizes its performance pedigree. Inside, the cabin boasts new multi-colored ambient LED lighting, a sleek low-profile shifter, and an updated steering wheel that incorporates dedicated buttons for different drive modes along with aluminum paddle shifters. While the steering wheel's flat top and bottom design echoes a modern aesthetic, the shift to touch-sensitive control panels on the spokes—replacing the traditional physical buttons—may diminish user-friendliness and precision, leaving some enthusiasts desiring the tactile feedback of their predecessors.