Audi presents RS 3 competition limited for 50 years of five cylinders

Audi announced the RS 3 competition limited to mark 50 years of its five-cylinder engine. Learn about the limited edition, its design, performance and technical updates.

Audi has chosen a special way to mark an important milestone in its engineering history with the introduction of the RS 3 competition limited, a model created to celebrate 50 years of the brand’s five-cylinder engine. This distinctive powertrain first appeared in 1976 in the second generation of the Audi 100 and has since become one of the most recognizable technical signatures of the company.

The anniversary edition will be produced in a limited run of 750 cars. The concept behind the model centers on highlighting the uniqueness of an engine layout that today remains almost unmatched in the compact performance segment. For decades, the five-cylinder engine has played a defining role in Audi’s sporting road cars as well as in its motorsport achievements.

At the heart of the RS 3 competition limited lies the modern 2.5-liter turbocharged TFSI engine. It produces 294 kW (400 hp) and 500 Nm of torque, enabling the compact model to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds. Top speed reaches 290 km/h. Beyond performance figures, however, the engine is known for its unmistakable sound, created by the unique firing order 1-2-4-5-3.

The origins of Audi’s five-cylinder engines date back to the mid-1970s when engineers developed the configuration as a technical compromise between four-cylinder and six-cylinder units. Over time the concept proved effective not only on the road but also in motorsport. During the 1980s turbocharged five-cylinder engines became the technological backbone of the legendary Audi quattro rally cars that brought the brand international success.

The RS 3 competition limited also introduces several technical upgrades. For the first time in an RS 3, the car features an adjustable coilover suspension, paired with a stiffer rear stabilizer. Combined with the torque splitter system and standard ceramic brakes, the setup is intended to deliver sharper handling and greater stability during dynamic driving.

The exterior design emphasizes the model’s exclusive character. Numerous carbon elements are used throughout the body, including aerodynamic components. The car rides on 19-inch Neodymium gold matte wheels, while the available color palette includes the distinctive Malachite green, a shade that recalls the rally era of the Audi Sport quattro.

Even the lighting design references the engine’s heritage. When locking or unlocking the vehicle, the segments of the matrix LED headlights illuminate in the sequence 1-2-4-5-3, mirroring the firing order of the five-cylinder engine.

Inside, the cabin continues the theme of exclusivity. The interior combines black, Neodymium gold and Ginger white, while each vehicle carries a serial number that highlights the limited production. RS bucket seats, carbon trim and special graphics in the digital cockpit reinforce the model’s performance-focused atmosphere.

The anniversary model will be available in two body styles — Sportback and Sedan. In Germany, pricing starts at €108,365 for the Sportback and €110,005 for the Sedan. European deliveries are scheduled to begin in mid-2026.

With the RS 3 competition limited, Audi not only introduces another variant of its compact performance model but also pays tribute to a technology that has shaped the character of its vehicles for decades and continues to hold a special place in the brand’s engineering tradition.