Audi reveals new RS3 Competition Limited
Hyper hatch celebrates 50 years of Audi's in-line five with coilovers, ceramic brakes and lots of carbon
Audi has a lot going on in 2026. It kicked the year off by launching the new RS5, a 639hp plug-in hybrid replacement to the RS4; meanwhile, its Formula 1 project is now officially underway with a points finish on debut at last weekend’s Australian Grand Prix. You’d be forgiven for forgetting that this year also marks the 50th anniversary of its five-cylinder engine, which it marked back in December with the radical GT50 concept inspired by the 90 Quattro. Turns out that wasn’t all it had planned for the occasion, as it’s continuing the festivities by introducing the RS3 Competition Limited.
Being an Audi anniversary model means there’s an obligatory nod to one of its many legendary Quattros, though it’s clearly nowhere near as drastic as the GT50 concept’s IMSA-style makeover. Instead, the RS3 Competition Limited can be spec’d with the iconic Malachite Green paint originally found on the Sport Quattro, which looks especially good when paired up with the standard 19-inch Neodymium gold wheels, though less interesting Daytona Grey and Glacier White matte options can also be had. If that wasn’t enough, Audi has developed an exclusive new light signature where segments of the matrix LED headlights illuminate in a 1,2,4,5,3 pattern as a reference to the five-pot’s firing order.
Elsewhere, there’s a revised aero package comprised of two small carbon canards on either side of the front bumper, below which sits a deeper splitter finished in matte carbon. Tweaks have also been made to the rear spoiler, with the centre section filled in to improve airflow, while the shroud around the diffuser is now finished in, you guessed it, matte carbon fibre. On top of that, the standard RS badges have been exchanged for the same red, grey and black heritage badges seen on the RS6 GT, while the Competition Limited logo has been subtly etched into the rear quarter glass.
Speaking of the RS6 GT, Audi has worked the same sort of chassis magic on its new hyper hatch: specifically, slapping three-way coilovers on each corner, which can be manually adjusted for ride height, rebound, plus low and high speed compression. They’re paired up with stiffer springs and a beefed-up rear anti-roll bar, while carbon ceramic brakes are included as standard. What’ll cost you extra, however, are a set of Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R semi-slick tyres for those who genuinely intend on taking their RS3 Comp on track.
For a car built to celebrate five decades of the five-banger, Audi’s left the RS3’s 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo engine largely untouched for the Comp. That means 400hp and 369lb ft of torque, which is good for a 0-62mph time of 3.8 seconds - just 0.2 seconds shy of the new (albeit vastly more weighty) RS5. The minor tweaks it has made include lifting the top speed limiter from 155mph to 180mph, and a reduction in sound deadening around the front bulkhead to allow more five-pot burble into the cabin.
On that note, the interior has been jazzed up with Neodymium and Ginger white carbon-backed sports seats, and there are Competition Edition logos in gold on the headrests, too. Each model gets its own build plaque denoting its position in the 750-strong production run. That’s split between 585 Sportbacks and 165 Saloons, but we’re only getting 11 examples of the hatchbacks, all of which are said to have been finished in green. And if you thought a regular RS3 was expensive, consider that the Comp will cost £89,330 when it arrives in the summer. Even at a near £20k premium over the range-topping Carbon Vorsprung, it’s hard to imagine Audi will have any difficulty selling them.
For that price I'd have expected a bit more effort with the engine, especially if it's going to be the final iteration of the 5 cylinder for Audi. Not just coilovers and a bit of tarted up bodywork for a £30k jump over a standard RS3.
For that price I'd have expected a bit more effort with the engine, especially if it's going to be the final iteration of the 5 cylinder for Audi. Not just coilovers and a bit of tarted up bodywork for a £30k jump over a standard RS3.
Article: "Even at a near £20k premium over the range-topping Carbon Vorsprung, it’s hard to imagine Audi will have any difficulty selling them."
How does this happen? Who TF buys these things?
90k buys you a whole lot of nice choices. Nowhere in that price point would I contemplate an RS3.
I'm aware the RS3 is a bit more special but regardless of the 5 pot, I cannot imagine parting with £90k and feeling like a satisfied customer.
For that price I'd have expected a bit more effort with the engine, especially if it's going to be the final iteration of the 5 cylinder for Audi. Not just coilovers and a bit of tarted up bodywork for a £30k jump over a standard RS3.
Couldn’t possibly be because they want a 5-pot, or they like the way it looks, or (more likely) don’t like way the M3 looks or any number of other reasons
I think the 3 series comparisons are because this is a C segment size car so no matter if you get the top RS model it ultimately is still a Golf equivalent. M340i feels more quality inside and to be expected being based on a more expensive bigger platform.
For that price I'd have expected a bit more effort with the engine, especially if it's going to be the final iteration of the 5 cylinder for Audi. Not just coilovers and a bit of tarted up bodywork for a £30k jump over a standard RS3.
Couldn t possibly be because they want a 5-pot, or they like the way it looks, or (more likely) don t like way the M3 looks or any number of other reasons
I'm aware the RS3 is a bit more special but regardless of the 5 pot, I cannot imagine parting with £90k and feeling like a satisfied customer.
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