As far as engines go, there is one in particular that helps Volkswagen and Audi stand apart from the rest of the crowd. While inline-four and V-6 engines are everywhere, the inline-five is an oddity that just feels special. It was in 1976, with the Audi 100, that the brand launched its first car with a number of cylinders you could count on precisely one hand. Today, you can get five cylinders in the Audi RS 3. This year, Audi is celebrating half a century of the five-cylinder engine with a special edition of the RS 3, called the Audi RS 3 Competition Limited.
Audi Confirms All-New RS 5 Hybrid Sports Car Is Coming To America This Year
The future of Audi performance has arrived, and it plugs in.
Building On The Already Feisty RS 3
The Audi RS 3 is already a special car. It one-ups its A3 and S3 brethren, which both feature a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The RS 3’s turbocharged five-cylinder engine produces 394 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, besting the S3 by 66 horsepower and 74 pound-feet. That makes for a positively thrilling drive in a compact, all-wheel-drive sedan weighing about 3,500 pounds. Combined with its sport suspension and available dynamic chassis control system, the RS 3 is a complete package that provides a surprisingly exotic feel as it deftly tackles the twistiest of back roads.
A Unique And Adjustable Suspension
The Audi RS 3 Competition Limited builds upon this exciting formula with a coilover suspension that was specially developed and tuned specifically for this exclusive edition. The front shock absorbers are made of stainless steel and feature external reservoirs. The aluminum rears use larger-diameter tubes and thicker piston rods for more stiffness. The increased volume of the shocks helps keep the hydraulic fluid cool for consistent performance. The RS 3 Competition Limited also benefits from a new, stiffer rear stabilizer bar.
The shocks are also adjustable to account for various driving scenarios, with high- and low-speed compression and adaptable rebound. The low-speed compression is adjustable via a 12-speed dial to affect how the suspension behaves in corners, with higher settings resulting in more lateral grip. The 15-step adjustable high-speed compression customizes how the body responds to changes in the road surface, whether you want stiffer damping for more feedback or reduced damping force for a more comfortable ride. The rebound is adjustable by 16 steps to dial to balance more precise handling with ride comfort.
It Looks The Part
In addition to the dynamic improvements to the chassis, the RS 3 Competition Limited also gets cosmetic upgrades to help set it apart. A sharpened front end, matte carbon elements, and special badging front and rear featuring heritage colors let you know that there’s more to this RS 3. It also features gold matte 19-inch wheels with a 10-cross-spoke design. Darkened LED headlights give it a more sinister look, and feature an illumination animation in a sequence that mirrors the five-cylinder engine’s 1-2-4-5-3 firing order. The unique aerodynamic elements, including the roof spoiler, not only fit the sporty look, but actually reduce lift and improve driving dynamics.
Inside the RS 3 Competition Limited features a black, Neodymium gold, and Ginger white color scheme. It also has unique lettering in the door lighting, on the seats, the floor mats, and the trunk carpet. The contoured bucket seats are upholstered in black leather with Neodymium gold microfiber, gold armrests, and Ginger white contrast stitching.
The Most Expensive Audi Cars Of All Time
Discover the pinnacle of luxury and performance with these jaw-dropping Audi models.
Limited Availability, As The Name Suggests
The Audi RS 3 Competition Limited will be restricted to just 750 examples, which is the result of some unique math. We don’t yet have information for other markets, but for Europe, it will start at 100,680 euros, or roughly $117,000, for the Sportback body style. Any U.S. allocations will be in sedan form, Audi told Carbuzz. That starts at 102,680 euros, or about $119,500, for Europe, though pricing could be cheaper for the U.S. European deliveries will begin midway through 2026, with U.S. availability to follow.
Source: Audi