Audi Sport’s recently announced RS 3 competition limited serves as a tribute to one of the most distinctive engines in the brand’s history as Audi marks 50 years of the five-cylinder engine. To help set that off, Audi Sport engineers applied the same chassis augmentation by integrating components from suspension specialists at KW.
Limited to 750 units worldwide, the RS 3 competition limited is powered by Audi’s 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder producing 400 horsepower. The engine’s unmistakable firing order and signature soundtrack have long connected modern RS models to some of Audi’s most iconic competition machinery, from the Group B rally era to the legendary Audi Sport quattro S1 that conquered Pikes Peak with Walter Röhrl behind the wheel.
While the five-cylinder remains a defining element of the RS 3, the competition limited’s most significant upgrades may be found underneath the bodywork. Every example comes equipped with a three-way adjustable coilover suspension system that allows independent adjustment of high-speed compression, low-speed compression and low-speed rebound damping.
The setup follows a formula Audi Sport has increasingly embraced for its most focused road cars. Similar suspension technology has previously appeared on models including the RS 4 Avant edition 25 Years and RS 6 GT and the RS 5 competition sold in the USA, bringing a higher level of chassis adjustability typically associated with dedicated track-focused machinery.
The front suspension utilizes dampers with external reservoirs, while the rear dampers feature a more conventional design. The goal is greater control over body movement and damping characteristics, allowing owners to tailor the car’s behavior for both road and circuit use.
The RS 3 competition limited is scheduled to arrive in Europe beginning in July 2026. Pricing in Europe starts at €108,365 for the Sportback and €110,005 for the Sedan. A Sedan version will follow in North America.
