Audi Slipped A Five-Cylinder Trick Into The RS3 Competition’s Headlights
Fifty years after its debut, Audi’s five-cylinder gets a limited RS 3 tribute with upgraded suspension hardware and new design details
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by Thanos Pappas
The Audi RS3 Competition marks 50 years of the five-cylinder engine.
It features aero upgrades, reduced insulation, and adjustable coilovers.
Limited run of 750 units with a starting price of $126K in Germany.
Audi is marking 50 years of its five-cylinder engine with a special edition of the RS3 called the Competition Limited. Offered in both Sportback and Sedan forms, the model brings a handful of visual and chassis upgrades and will be produced in a limited run of 750 units worldwide.
Visually, the Competition Limited stands out with canards and a split front splitter, along with a subtly revised spoiler for the Sportback. The aero pieces are finished in matte carbon fiber, while the 19-inch wheels wear a Neodymium gold matte finish contrasting the red brake calipers.
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The color palette includes three shades: the exclusive Malachite Green, the new Glacier White matte, and the familiar Daytona Gray. Finally, the Competition gains a cool new trick. When approaching the vehicle or unlocking it with the key fob, the darkened Matrix LED headlights perform a startup sequence that mirrors the engine’s “1-2-4-5-3” firing order.
The cabin is trimmed in black and Ginter White leather, paired with Alcantara inserts and Neodymium gold accents. Equipment includes RS bucket seats with carbon seatbacks, along with special graphics for the Audi virtual cockpit plus, which features a white background inspired by the RS2 Avant.
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To mark the occasion, each car carries a matte serial number on the center console. Owners also get “RS 3 Competition Limited” lettering projected from the custom door puddle lights, as well as branding on the black floor and cargo mats.
Sharpened Chassis Setup
The highlight of the Competition Limited is the chassis upgrades, aimed at making it quicker and more composed through corners. The model features a new three-way adjustable coilover suspension paired with a stiffer rear stabilizer.
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The stainless steel front dampers and aluminum rear dampers use external reservoirs to help manage heat during hard use. Drivers can manually adjust high- and low-speed compression as well as rebound, and Audi includes a dedicated tool kit and setup manual with each car.
Standard ceramic brakes with red calipers and optional Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R semi-slicks further underline the Competition Limited’s track-focused intentions.
Same Engine, Slightly Louder Voice
Despite earlier reports suggesting a power bump, the Competition Limited retains the standard turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder unit under the hood.
The engine produces 395 hp (294 kW / 400 PS) and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque, sending power to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system. Performance figures remain unchanged, with 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) taking 3.8 seconds and top speed rated at 290 km/h (180 mph).
While the output stays the same, the five-cylinder should sound a bit more vocal thanks to the standard RS sports exhaust with variable flap control, which opens the valves earlier in certain drive modes. Audi has also reduced insulation around the firewall, allowing more of the engine’s distinctive soundtrack to reach the cabin.
Pricing And Availability
The Audi RS3 Competition Limited will be produced in 750 units worldwide. North American availability has not yet been announced, though European deliveries are scheduled to begin in mid-2026. In Germany, the Sportback starts at €108,365 ($126,000), while the Sedan is priced at €110,005 ($127,900).
The current generation of the RS3 was introduced in 2021 and received a facelift in 2024.
Audi
