Even though Volkswagen and Audi are moving quickly to battery-electric propulsion, it’s not cutting the fun internal combustion machines out of the lineup immediately. One of Audi’s more interesting powertrains sits under the hood of its entry-level sedan: the A3. Well, not exactly the A3. Audi’s RS 3 takes the bones of its entry-level luxury sedan and stuffs a 401 hp five-cylinder engine under the hood. Audi tasks a seven-speed automatic to manage that power and send it to the Quattro all-wheel-drive system. Aggressive bodywork covers the RS 3’s wider track width and helps funnel air to the right places. Despite the push for performance, the RS 3 still offers the luxurious appointments you’d expect from a high-priced Audi.

On this episode of Quick Spin, Autoweek’s Mark Vaughn hops behind the wheel of the 2022 Audi RS 3 and brings you along for the ride. Vaughn walks around the RS 3 and highlights its design and features before climbing into the cockpit to take you along for a live drive review. Adding to these segments, Vaughn chats with host Wesley Wren about the Audi RS 3, the five-cylinder engine and the RS 3’s competition. Closing the show, the pair talk about what makes the Audi RS 3 special.