Why did Audi make the new RS3 so ugly?

[BzzzBom]

I’ve read dozens of threads regarding the 2022 RS3. There seems to be consensus regarding the potential for better handling and cornering with the new torque-vectoring differential (although may not handle as much torque as the Haldex - less tuning potential?) but there is almost a unanimous opinion that the 8Y is far uglier than 8V. My question is why did Audi design a hideous looking car? It’s not just Audi. What BMW has done with their kidney grills on new models is a total embarrassment. Maybe I’m just old and unable to change with the times but if it ain’t broke, why fix it (or try to break it)?

[Porra46]

That us entirely your opinion. I love everything about the new RS3. Except the fake rear bumper grilles.

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[mike_TX]

Ya I agree it's ugly. I love the current gen design. Sadly many new cars are worse than before, like the new BMW 2 series. Such an embarrassment but will only make the current models' price go up.


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[Cool_Breeze]

Arguably the proposed ugliness is primarily the rear bumper, which they had to design that way to hide the extra length needed to fit the rear torque splitter. Trade offs!

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[jwil]

Audi has been heading in this direction for some time. From the fake exhaust on the 2018 SQ5 and other cars, to the fake vents on the S5. Recent Audi Sport cars have shown what I can only think of as increasingly immature designs that appear to aimed squarely at the younger demographic that is interested in Nissan Z cars, Honda Type R cars or Toyota Supra’s. Apparently oddball plastic doo dads are all the rage.

I agree though that the new RS3 is pretty ghastly and my 8V will stay with me till the second year Lotus Emira comes out.

[speeddemon69]

So no ones buys it of course, then our current model will hold better value. They are being nice to us.


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[5PotNewb]

Just buy it, take it to a body shop and fill in the rear honeycomb, get it resprayed

[BzzzBom]

That us entirely your opinion. I love everything about the new RS3. Except the fake rear bumper grilles.

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I agree but would add the vertigo-inducing front end. Actually, the front end looks acceptable in black because it hides the design flaws.

[TheContrarian]

Nice wheels tho.

[o1turbo30v]

I think they tried to make it look like all the other RS cars and the proportions just don’t make it look nice.

The new diff won’t do much on your daily drive, if anything it will create a very artificial feel, I had this diff in my Focus RS.

Props to them for making it though, don’t think it was a big seller internationally.

[tegxsi]

Honestly, I probably have to see car in person. I think they went a little too boy racer...

Black is probably the best color choice because of the fake vents...lol

[S3DUDE]

Opinions are very subjective. ugly to you but pretty to him, lime green ugly to me but cool to my neighbor, sedan cool to me but another person prefers the hatchback. I agree with you partially, I don't like the checker lights that turns into letters, that to me looks like a Chinese made led strip from pep boys that changes colors. I also don't like the rear black plastic strip on the bumper. I do like the widened and functional front fenders and I do like the big openings of the wheels and the design, it should cool off the brakes better.

I don't think that the car needs 265's all the way around but it doesn't look too bad. On the BMW, you are spot on, many customers turned away after seeing the grill, same with the mini and the silly flavor flave's huge center clock, it got so ridiculous. In summary, you got a point.

[Domino_z]

Looks are subjective

best to talk about the mechanical package

clever diff is a welcome addition, but it’s still not going to give you the rear push off a corner like a Torsten Audi awd system

You’ll also need to remove the opf and tune to restore the original 5 pot character like us dwna owners have done

[Fullweight]

I would like to know what it weighs ? If the power is a fraction higher but it has electric powered seats + extra clutch packs at rear I wonder if it is actually heavier thus slower in 1/4 mile ?

[Anthony]

IMO, the first gen 8V is better looking than the facelift. But again, that's just my opinion.

I actually prefer the looks of the new 2022 RS 3 over the outgoing model. Its looks finally match its power.

Only thing I don't care for, as others have said, are the fake grille/vent bits. Oh and the fact that AoA doesn't give us the hatchback.

[robotvoice]

I like how everyone is complaining about the dumb fake vents on the bumper that can easily be fixed in the aftermarket and no one is complaining about the interior which is COMPLETELY different and jarring to me with all the extra touchscreen crap and just looks terrible in general compared to the current gen IMO. But yes, looks are subjective and in a couple years everyone will be like OMG THIS CAR IS SO BEAUTIFUL.

[pulpoinspace]

in a couple years everyone will be like OMG THIS CAR IS SO BEAUTIFUL.

I hope not. I've noticed fake vents popping up on cars over the past decade and have consistently poked fun at them. When the two-tone front end was introduced on the RSQ8 I thought it was pretty silly as did a few Audi enthusiasts I know, but it was okay on such a large vehicle that I would never own. I sincerely hope these are two trends that won't catch on and we see future cars without them, but there are a lot of people on reddit who defend the fake vents. Maybe Audi is right and they are the majority and it's a calculated decision. But I refuse to believe it for now. As for aftermarket options, I really think the people who are going to rip the trim off a brand new car would be less than 1% of sales, I'd imagine.

I'm really not a fan of the touch screens as well. Pretty much the only thing on this car that keeps growing on me are the wider track and wheel arches. The overall lines are already beautiful. They just mucked it up a bit.

[BzzzBom]

I like how everyone is complaining about the dumb fake vents on the bumper that can easily be fixed in the aftermarket and no one is complaining about the interior which is COMPLETELY different and jarring to me with all the extra touchscreen crap and just looks terrible in general compared to the current gen IMO. But yes, looks are subjective and in a couple years everyone will be like OMG THIS CAR IS SO BEAUTIFUL.

After complaining about the exterior looks, I was worried that if I also trashed the interior I’d get placed on some blacklist. IMO, the interior is a huge disappointment. Audi had perfected their mouse-like knobs and now they are pivoting to Lexus land.🤬

[Domino_z]

Just gonna have to accept fake vents on new cars as it helps them eek out those vital percentage points needed in the fuel consumption cycle to keep them legal by not having air pass through

Be grateful you can still buy an ice performance car and not being forced yet by gov to buy electric

[pulpoinspace]

Just gonna have to accept fake vents on new cars as it helps them eek out those vital percentage points needed in the fuel consumption cycle to keep them legal by not having air pass through

Be grateful you can still buy an ice performance car and not being forced yet by gov to buy electric

Haha yeah and we can all drive around with our fancy aerodynamics and fuel efficiency doing dragy pulls for fun with our cats cut off

[Domino_z]

Haha yeah and we can all drive around with our fancy aerodynamics and fuel efficiency doing dragy pulls for fun with our cats cut off

You must be new to this

There’s a few aftermarket solutions for catted downpipes

If it’s all too hard for you, don’t buy it

[pulpoinspace]

You must be new to this

There’s a few aftermarket solutions for catted downpipes

If it’s all too hard for you, don’t buy it

My car is fully catted.

I'd rather accept yearly vehicle inspection than fake vents if we're gonna try and save the planet.

[schwabo]

I love ugly cars that perform. I've traded my '18 RS3 for the new G80 M3 whilst I wait for the new 8Y RS3.



Be picky about everything and you'll miss out on some great cars.


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[TheContrarian]

I think they tried to make it look like all the other RS cars and the proportions just don’t make it look nice.

The new diff won’t do much on your daily drive, if anything it will create a very artificial feel, I had this diff in my Focus RS.

Props to them for making it though, don’t think it was a big seller internationally.

When I watch the focus RS autocross, the rear end is always dancing to the point that the car seems twitchy. Sliding around is not fast.

[BzzzBom]

I love ugly cars that perform. I've traded my '18 RS3 for the new G80 M3 whilst I wait for the new 8Y RS3.



Be picky about everything and you'll miss out on some great cars.


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I love good looking cars that perform such as the new Porsche Caman GTS 4.0

[mike_TX]

I love ugly cars that perform. I've traded my '18 RS3 for the new G80 M3 whilst I wait for the new 8Y RS3.



Be picky about everything and you'll miss out on some great cars.


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Congrats and I wouldn't call it ugly lol. I love the new M3. I plan on keeping my 8v RS3 for a couple years and then get the G80 M3 once they start coming off leases haha


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[5PotNewb]

My car is fully catted.

I'd rather accept yearly vehicle inspection than fake vents if we're gonna try and save the planet.

Dude go to another forum if all you're gonna post is environmental crap every time.

[pulpoinspace]

Dude go to another forum if all you're gonna post is environmental crap every time.

I don't post "environmental crap" every time. it was direct response to a post about fuel consumption and ICE cars and government regulation.

just ignore me if you can't handle it

[defau1t]

I'm not a fan of the looks but I'll hold final judgement until I see one in person. Rear bumper sticking out with the fake grills will be my main focus. I've been known to be pretty picky about good booties.

[BzzzBom]

Well..the 8Y bootie is pretty hideous even with all the plastic surgery

[RudyH]

I saw the new '22 RS3 in my rear view today!
(not sure how to get the 2020 Chevy Traverse /w blackout package to work , maybe its blocked from linking)
https://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/10...ckout-package/

It's the new Audi design language as mentioned earlier



The great thing about Audi's design is it is timeless. Look at the 2013-2016 S4 for example, I am sure you can go through the list.

[will13k7]

The car reviewer folks always call the styling of Audis and other cars plain and boring looking.

They used to say the same about Japanese cars and the Japanese companies went overboard trying to get better aesthetic reviews.

The Germans are falling for the same trap.

The car reviewers seem like a clique with specific tastes that they are very vocal about, while my sense is that isn't what the majority of folks are looking for. For example: wagons and manuals. There's constant lamenting over these and they just don't sell in high volumes. It's almost if they must say these things to be accepted into the clique. haha, maybe that's a bit too much, some folks just like certain things and congregated around each other, to each their own!

[r26372]

Congrats and I wouldn't call it ugly lol. I love the new M3. I plan on keeping my 8v RS3 for a couple years and then get the G80 M3 once they start coming off leases haha


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Barf. Both the back end of new RS3 and front of M3 are about as lame as one could imagine for that price point. M3 clearly trying to be bold like Alfa Romeo, and Audi just pretty clueless in wrapping up the last of the RS3s as they focus on electric. Should have just ended RS3 production if this is the last Hurrah. At least M3 got significant power bump.


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[pulpoinspace]

For example: wagons

Spot on. Everyone says "so cool!" and no one buys one. One of my buddies who claims to be a car enthusiast drives a white automatic mazda cx-5. pretty much the most generic non-car-guy car you can get. The only way car manufacturers will ever hear anything is if you speak with your wallet!

As far as the new RS3 goes, I've decided it is a definite pass for me.

Thinking my next car will probably be a pre-owned 370Z nismo tech or maybe the new Z. the dream would be a cayman gts or c63 but the nissan is one of the few good looking and simple sports cars still on the road imo.

[A4 Centaur]

One thing I learned over the years is: "Never Buy a Japanese Sports Car." Best advice I was ever given.

[MetalMan]

One of my buddies who claims to be a car enthusiast drives a white automatic mazda cx-5. pretty much the most generic non-car-guy car you can get.

They are actually pretty sporty for an econo-SUV. My wife drives a 2016 CX-5 GT (2.5 NA) and although it's got no power, it's still fun-ish to drive. Newer CX-5s came with a turbo option at least. But yeah... for a car guy that's a pretty non-car-guy choice.

The only way car manufacturers will ever hear anything is if you speak with your wallet!

...

Thinking my next car will probably be a pre-owned...

I'm sure this is a big part of the problem. Many car guys can't afford new (or like me, have no interest in buying new) so we're at the mercy of those who can/choose to buy new.

BTW if you're going for a 2-seater anyways, Corvette makes for a nice option; I thoroughly enjoy my 2001 Z06 and have even taken my 19-month old daughter to car shows in it. Prices are a bit elevated right now though especially due to the current market.

[pulpoinspace]

They are actually pretty sporty for an econo-SUV. My wife drives a 2016 CX-5 GT (2.5 NA) and although it's got no power, it's still fun-ish to drive. Newer CX-5s came with a turbo option at least. But yeah... for a car guy that's a pretty non-car-guy choice.




I'm sure this is a big part of the problem. Many car guys can't afford new (or like me, have no interest in buying new) so we're at the mercy of those who can/choose to buy new.

BTW if you're going for a 2-seater anyways, Corvette makes for a nice option; I thoroughly enjoy my 2001 Z06 and have even taken my 19-month old daughter to car shows in it. Prices are a bit elevated right now though especially due to the current market.

Def true. Yeah corvette and camaro have always piqued my interest! I'm really all over the place actually. Last night I was looking at a really nice 2007 Cayman S 6spd. Might be going down that road.

Might end up selling my 8V and then just riding my motorcycle for a while till the madness calms down if I can't get a good deal on it though.

[A4 Centaur]

Not really ugly to me:







Perhaps the new BMW M240i X-Drive for less than 60K is a better choice for some?

[Spike Spiegel]

Not really ugly to me:







Perhaps the new BMW M240i X-Drive for less than 60K is a better choice for some?

I like the new styling. Prefer the current one overall but, I like the new design as well. Just don't like the rear fender.


Best,


Space Cowboy

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2019 Daytona Gray RS 3 | Instagram: SPCECB

[pulpoinspace]

I like the new styling. Prefer the current one overall but, I like the new design as well. Just don't like the rear fender.

100%

That color does well to hide the design flaws. Completely saves the front end and makes the back end almost acceptable. It is a beautiful car and under close examination I don't think anyone here would really call it all-around ugly (compared to most cars on the road), but that only makes the rear bumper more offensive and disappointing.