To celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the legendary five-cylinder engine, Audi Sport is unveiling an exclusive special-edition model: the RS 3 competition. With 750 examples to be built, and only 11 earmarked for the UK, it stands for a five-decade-long success story from the brand with four rings. Its inline five makes the compact performance car unique in its segment, combining extraordinary ability with an unmistakable sound.
A legacy that began in 1976 with the second-generation Audi 100 is now reaching new heights with the Audi RS 3 competition. To mark “50 years of five cylinders,” Audi Sport is enhancing the RS 3 with numerous upgrades that will make the special edition highly sought after by collectors. Limited to 750 examples, the RS 3 competition limited exudes exclusivity from every detail.
The special edition combines expressive design with matte carbon elements. These include two new canards on either front corner, which are arranged on top of each other and are made of carbon to match the vertical blades of the air curtains. Combined with the split front lip, which is fitted below the intakes, this makes the special edition appear even wider.
Imposing 19-inch wheels with 10 cross spokes finished in Neodymium gold matte fill the arches. Mirror caps, side skirts, and a rear spoiler, all in matte carbon, as well as the matte carbon trim.
The darkened matrix LED headlights are also unique to the special edition. When locking or unlocking the car, their segments illuminate in a 1-2-4-5-3 pattern – a nod to the five-cylinder engine’s firing order.
In the UK, all 11 examples will be finished in Malachite green. This iconic colour is reminiscent of the Audi Sport quattro that provided the basis for a golden age of rallying with five-cylinder power.
Back in 1983, the Audi Sport quattro developed 225 kW (306 PS) and 350 Nm from 2.1 litres of displacement. Today, the inline five-cylinder engine of the Audi RS comes with 2.5 litres of displacement. The model accelerates from 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 180mph.
With its fully variable flap control, the RS sports exhaust system broaden the spectrum of the exhaust note while reduced insulation around the firewall means the engine sound reaches the occupants even more directly.
For the first time, the Audi RS 3 features a coilover suspension including a new rear stabilizer. In combination with the torque splitter and the standard ceramic brakes, the limited edition offers distinctly sporty handling. The coilover suspension was specially developed and tuned for the RS 3 competition limited.
The spring rates at the back have been increased to 80 N/mm to match. As a result, the RS 3 competition limited provides the perfect combination of directional stability, safety, and agility when accelerating out of a fast corner.
The door lighting projects the lettering “RS 3 competition limited” with the same adorning the black floor mats, the cover below the headrests, and the trunk carpet. In the centre console, a matte serial number in front of the shifter reflects the model’s limited run.
No matter how dynamic the cornering, driver and front passenger are held in place by highly contoured RS bucket seats.
The 10.1-inch touch display in the instrument panel provides information about RS-specific performance parameters: the temperature ranges of the coolant, torque splitter, brakes, as well as engine and transmission oil are illustrated in colour; tyre pressure and temperature are also shown.
To make finding the centre position easier and help visualize the most minute steering inputs, the wheel – flattened at both the top and bottom – has a Ginger white mark at the top.
In the UK, the RS 3 Sportback competition limited is priced from £92,855 (OTR).
Key facts – Audi RS 3 competition
- Engine: 2.5-litre five-cylinder TFSI
- 0–62 mph: 3.8 seconds
- Top speed: 180 mph
- Price (UK): £92,855