Audi RS 3 Competition Limited: Audi celebrates 50 years of the legendary five-cylinder
10/03/2026
Some engines are more than just engineering. They are automotive heritage.
To celebrate 50 years of five-cylinder technology, Audi Sport has unveiled the exclusive Audi RS 3 Competition Limited, a special edition of the RS 3 limited to just 750 units worldwide. The car pays tribute to one of the most distinctive engine architectures ever used in a performance car. At its heart sits the iconic 2.5 TFSI inline-five, an engine that remains unique in today’s performance compact segment.
A five-cylinder legacy that started in the 1970s
Audi’s five-cylinder story began in 1976 with the second generation of the Audi 100. Not long after, the configuration became legendary in motorsport thanks to cars like the Audi Sport quattro, which dominated rallying during the golden era of Group B.
Today, that same spirit continues in the RS models. In the RS 3 Competition Limited, the 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder produces:
400 hp (294 kW)
500 Nm of torque
0–100 km/h in 3.8 seconds
Top speed of 290 km/h
But numbers only tell part of the story. The real magic lies in the unique five-cylinder soundtrack, created by the unusual firing order 1-2-4-5-3. That irregular rhythm produces a sound that no four- or six-cylinder engine can truly replicate.
Carbon elements and Malachite Green styling
Visually, Audi makes it clear this is not just another RS 3. The Competition Limited features extensive carbon fiber exterior elements, including:
front canards
mirror caps
side skirts
rear spoiler
carbon trim above the diffuser
The model rides on 19-inch wheels finished in Neodymium Gold, creating a striking contrast with the available exterior colours. Alongside Daytona Grey and Glacier White Matte, Audi also introduces an exclusive colour for this special edition: Malachite Green, inspired by the legendary Audi Sport rally cars.
Even the lighting contains a subtle detail for enthusiasts. When locking or unlocking the car, the matrix LED headlights illuminate in the pattern 1-2-4-5-3, referencing the engine’s firing order.
Adjustable coilover suspension for sharper dynamics
For the first time in an RS 3, Audi introduces a fully adjustable coilover suspension. This setup was specifically developed for the Competition Limited and works together with:
a stiffer rear stabilizer
the torque splitter system
standard ceramic brakes
The dampers are three-way adjustable, allowing drivers to fine-tune low-speed compression, high-speed compression and rebound. That flexibility allows the RS 3 to be adapted from comfortable road driving to aggressive track performance.
Exclusive interior with gold details and serial number
Inside the cabin, the exclusivity continues. The interior combines black, Neodymium Gold and Ginger White, with RS bucket seats upholstered in leather and Dinamica microfiber. Carbon seatbacks and contrast stitching reinforce the car’s performance character.
Each car also receives a unique serial number in the center console, highlighting the limited production run. The digital cockpit includes another nod to Audi’s heritage. Just like the legendary Audi RS2 Avant from 1994, the instruments feature white dial backgrounds.
AutoNext Take
The RS 3 Competition Limited proves that Audi Sport still understands what performance enthusiasts truly value. Audi’s five-cylinder remains one of the last truly distinctive combustion engines in the compact performance segment, that alone makes this special edition particularly interesting.
Not just because of its performance, but because it represents a piece of mechanical heritage that may not exist forever. With only 750 examples, the RS 3 Competition Limited has all the ingredients to become a future collectible, especially for enthusiasts who appreciate Audi’s rally DNA and the unmistakable sound of the inline-five.
