ABT celebrates 130 years by turning the Audi RS3 into a 630 hp monster
The five-cylinder gets the birthday tribute it deserves
Not many tuners reach their 130th birthday, so ABT Sportsline is celebrating in style. After opening its anniversary trilogy with the RS6-LE 800, the German Audi specialist has now unveiled chapter two: the RS3-630, which takes Audi's beloved five-cylinder RS3 to a scarcely believable 630 hp.
Serious hardware, not just a remap
The numbers come from proper engineering. ABT's POWER R upgrade fits a new turbocharger and intercooler to the RS3's 2.5-litre five-cylinder, supported by an indirect water and ethanol injection system that cools the intake charge for more reliable power. The result is around 630 hp and 700 Nm, enough for a 300 km/h top speed, and the performance is activated through the myABT app. For context, the standard RS3 makes 400 hp; this adds more than half as much again.
Dressed for the occasion
The anniversary car looks the part too. There is a gloss-black carbon aerodynamic package with RS3 630 logos on the front spoiler and rear skirt, twin 95 mm matte black exhaust tips, and striking satin-gold 20-inch ABT forged wheels wrapped in 245/30 rubber. Underneath sit adjustable coilover sports suspension and stiffer stabilisers front and rear, so the chassis is upgraded to match the power.
One of thirty, and not cheap
Inside, bespoke seat and armrest finishes, illuminated door sills, embroidered mats and a 1 of 30 dashboard emblem mark it out, because only 30 will ever be built. Exclusivity costs: the package is priced at 58,000 euro including VAT, plus around 9,500 euro for installation and certification, and that is before you supply the donor RS3. Sales begin in July 2026. "The five-cylinder engine is an absolutely exceptional powerplant... we wanted to pay it a fitting tribute with the RS3 630 and unlock its full potential," said Hans-Jurgen Abt.
AutoNext Take
We have a lot of affection for this. Audi's warbling 2.5-litre five-cylinder is one of the great engines of the modern era, likely living out its final years, and ABT giving it a 630 hp send-off feels entirely appropriate. A compact hatchback with this much power and a 300 km/h top speed is gloriously excessive, exactly what a tuner's birthday party should look like.
Yes, the maths is eye-watering: with the donor car included you are deep into six figures for a very fast RS3. But with only 30 examples and ABT's 130-year pedigree behind it, we suspect the order book will fill regardless. Now we are just curious what the trilogy's final chapter will bring.
