Audi RS3 Competition Limited

May 5, 2026

1.28k

Five-cylinder final hurrah

Words by Mark Slack

To celebrate the 50-year anniversary of its five-cylinder engine, Audi is unveiling an exclusive special-edition model: the RS 3 competition limited. With just 750 examples to be built worldwide, it stands as a final hurrah for a five-decade-long Audi success story. The inline five combines extraordinary performance with an unmistakable sound.

A legacy that began in 1976 with the second-generation Audi 100 is now at its height with the Audi RS 3 competition limited. To mark “50 years of five cylinders,” the German car maker has enhanced the RS 3 with numerous upgrades that will undoubtedly make the special edition highly sought after by collectors.

Sportiness informs all visual features of the Audi RS 3 – starting 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 now split front lip, which is fitted below the intakes, this makes the car appear even wider.

The 19-inch wheels with 10 cross spokes are finished in Neodymium gold matte and very much fill the arches. Mirror caps, side skirts, and a rear spoiler, all in matte carbon, as well as the matte carbon trim above the large functional diffuser complete the car’s rather technical appearance. Partial matting on the rear side window to show the model’s name underlines it even further. The darkened matrix LED headlights are also unique to the special edition.

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 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 and boasts 400 PS and 500 Nm. The model accelerates from 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 180mph.

Inside the car there’s a colour combination of black, Neodymium gold, and Ginger white. 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 boot carpet. In the centre console, a matte serial number in front of the gear shift lever reflects the model’s limited run.

In the UK, the RS 3 competition limited is priced from £92,855 and deliveries of the 11 cars destined for the UK will begin towards the end of the year.

Key facts – Audi RS 3 competition limited