Audi RS3 Competition Limited: 750 Units Celebrate 5-Cylinder Legacy

Audi is pulling out all the stops to celebrate 50 years of its legendary five-cylinder engine. The RS 3 Competition Limited arrives in ultra-limited series of just 750 units worldwide, with only 13 examples allocated to France. Entry price: €100,680 in Europe, but the French allocation is already completely sold out.

"Once this car disappears, Audi's emblematic five-cylinder in its current form could vanish with it" — Audi Statement

A Fitting Farewell to the Mythic 2.5 TFSI

The timing is no accident. This RS 3 Competition Limited likely marks the swan song of the 2.5 TFSI turbo engine that has powered the sports compact for years. New environmental regulations and the transition to electrification spell the end for this legendary block born in 1976 under the hood of the Audi 100.

The mechanical recipe remains unchanged: 400 hp and 500 Nm of torque, delivering a 0-100 km/h sprint in 3.8 seconds and a top speed electronically limited to 290 km/h. But Audi has refined the sonic signature by removing 4 kg of soundproofing material from the engine bay partition. The goal: to let cabin occupants fully appreciate that distinctive melody with its 1-2-4-5-3 firing order.

Modifications That Go Beyond Cosmetics

This limited edition is far more than just an aggressive body kit. Audi has reworked the chassis with a stiffer rear anti-roll bar and, most importantly, an unprecedented fully adjustable coilover suspension. The stainless steel front and aluminum rear dampers offer 12 clicks of low-speed compression adjustment, 15 clicks of high-speed compression, and 16 positions of rebound damping.

The front dampers incorporate external reservoirs to optimize cooling, while aerodynamics benefit from new matte carbon deflectors on the front bumper corners. These "canards" are far from merely decorative—they increase downforce on the front axle.

Malachite Green and Gold Wheels: The '80s Style Unapologetically Embraced

Visually, this Competition Limited escalates the standard RS 3's aggression. The Singleframe grille features fully open apertures, while matte carbon appears everywhere: mirror shells, side skirts, rear wing, and the insert above the diffuser.

The 19-inch wheels in matte neodymium gold with ten spokes directly recall Audi's golden era of rallying. But the most subtle nod comes from the tinted Matrix LED headlights which, when locking/unlocking, reproduce the five-cylinder's firing order through a 1-2-4-5-3 light sequence.

Three colors are available: Daytona Grey, Matte Glacier White, and especially the new Malachite Green, a direct reference to the Audi Sport quattro rally car from the 1980s.

What Does This Rarity Cost?

The €100,680 entry price in Europe may seem steep for a compact car, but scarcity partially justifies the asking price. Of the 750 units produced, 585 will be Sportbacks and 165 sedans. Germany receives 187 units, of which 158 are Sportback variants.

For France, all 13 Sportback examples found buyers even before the official announcement. A situation reminiscent of other limited-edition Audis like the recent R8 GT or the RS 6 Tribute Edition.

The Interior Celebrates the Anniversary Too

Inside, exclusivity reveals itself in the details. The inscription "RS3 competition limited" appears on black floor mats, beneath headrests, and on the trunk mat. The door sill lighting also projects this signature on the ground when the doors open.

An engraved serial number