AUDI has gone back to its roots with the latest barnstorming RS.

Just like in the original Audi quattro rally cars, it's a five cylinder turbo and in the RS3 five door hatch, produces what must be similar performance.

It is the same 2.5-litre engine from the TT RS and has no less than 335bhp on tap, giving a 0 to 60 time of under five seconds.

This is supercar territory - eclipsing rival BMW's 1-Series M coupé and even the Porsche 911 Carrera S.

It comes with the absolutely superb S-tronic seven speed auto/manual gearbox and drive is to all four wheels so there should never be any loss of traction.

There are paddles behind to steering wheel to change gear manually, but having driven this box a couple of times now, there is no need for them.

The S-tronic box does it all better than the best driver can, making sure you are in exactly the right gear for whatever you want to do, and giving an instantaneous kickdown.

In such an out and out sporting car the ride is bound to be firm and it's a big price for a smallish five door hatch.

10/10

BMW M1 coupe