When you drive a new performance car and think to yourself, ‘what an engine’, you cherish the thought – especially a hot hatch.

The scintillating chassis combined with a forgettable, aurally-overdone turbocharged engine has become somewhat of a modern stereotype with this class of car. But it’s a trend the updated Audi RS3 is bucking with its new 2.5-litre inline-five – a seriously awesome engine. The turbocharged powerplant, shared with the TT RS, is the big news for Audi’s hottest-ever hatch.

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But stuck with it they have, even making it 26kg lighter, thanks in part to a new alloy crankcase, important as recent five-pot Audis have been a little front-heavy.

By continuing to fit 255/30 fronts and 235/35 rear tyres, there’s the hint that Audi hasn’t sorted all the RS3’s front-heavy woes. And this is still a very front-axle focused car by way of power distribution.

With its understated styling – compared to a bewinged A45 – it’s no surprise to find a very comfortable, sensible-driving car in Comfort mode, with a nice urban ride as well (Magnetic Ride is optional). Engage Dynamic mode (or Individual with Comfort dampers and Dynamic powertrain) and all hell breaks loose.

The hissing, torquey five-cylinder warbles like an R8 under acceleration and cracks out the exhaust with every twin-clutch upchange. Holy moly, this is a potent little car – and the noise, it’s just rude. With a bit more poke, this engine could go in an R8. No joke.

This car is now so fast, with such epic brakes as well (and our test car was on the steel items, not the optional carbons), that it’s almost crying out for stickier tyres. But that’s another story.

MORE Audi’s five-cylinder icons
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2018 AUDI RS3 SPORTBACK SPECS:

Engine: 2480cc inline-5, DOHC, 20v, turbo Power: 294kW @ 5850-7000rpm Torque: 480Nm @ 1700-5850rpm Weight: 1510kg 0-100km/h: 4.1sec (claimed) Price: $80,900

Like: Crazy fast; awesome five-pot warble; mega brakes; comfortable; dual-clutch ’box Dislike: Still a bit front heavy; very front-biased AWD; high seating position; thirsty Star Rating: 4 out of 5 stars