Audi is bringing another 250 examples of the RS3 to the UK, after the first allocation of 500 all sold out. These additional cars will be available at the same price of £39,930 as first batch which were sold last year.The RS3 features a turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder petrol engine with 335 bhp driving all four wheels through a standard seven-speed S-tronic twin-clutch transmission.

Performance figures include a 0-62mph time of 4.6 seconds and an electronically governed 155mph top speed. The official fuel consumption figure is 31 mpg, but reflecting the growing derision with which these figures are treated, Audi describes the RS3 merely as having, “the potential for up to 31mpg according to the combined cycle test”.

Exterior styling features include 19-inch alloy wheels with 235/35 series tyres at the front and 225/35 at the rear, larger front spoiler, flared front wings and a large roof spoiler. The rear design includes a high-gloss black diffuser insert and two elliptical exhaust tailpipes.

The interior includes Nappa leather sports seats with silver stitching, Piano black or Aluminium Race look inlays, a flat-bottomed RS steering wheel and RS-specific instruments. Its Driver’s Information System is also unique to the RS 3 Sportback, displaying boost pressure and oil temperature and doubling as a lap timer.

Standard equipment includes acoustic rear parking sensors, DVD-based satellite navigation and xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights.