The Audi RS 3 is one of a kind. It’s a performance car with the only turbocharged five-cylinder engine on the market, it has a transverse engine that sits mostly ahead of the front axle, and yet it’s sporty and fun. It takes on such rivals as the BMW M2, Mercedes-Benz CLA 45 AMG, and Acura Integra Type S.
Audi RS 3 Competition Limited Pricing, Specs, and Release Date
- What’s New for the Audi RS 3
- Design
- Powertrain
- Interior
- Technology
- Safety
- Pricing and Release Date
- Further Research
What’s New for the Audi RS 3
To celebrate 50 years of the five-cylinder engine, Audi is introducing a limited run of 750 RS 3 Competition Limited models. Based on timing of European deliveries in mid-2026, we speculate that the RS 3 Competition Limited will be a 2027 model. Audi has released no details about the rest of the 2027 lineup.
The special-edition RS 3 Competition Limited features sharpened exterior looks, a black/Neodymium Gold/Ginger White interior with a serial number plaque, a coil-over suspension, a stiffer rear stabilizer bar, three-way adjustable dampers, optional Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R semi-slick tires, and standard carbon-ceramic brakes.
Design
The RS 3 is based on Audi’s entry-level A3 compact, which has a traditional sedan shape, though with sloping rear roofline, a short deck, and a longish front overhang. To the A3 the RS 3 adds side skirts, a prominent rear spoiler, a blackened front grille, larger front air intakes, darkened Matrix LED headlights, and bigger 19-inch wheels.
The RS 3 Competition Limited model features carbon canards at the corners of the front bumper; matte-carbon mirror caps, side skirts, and rear spoiler; 10-spoke wheels in Neodymium Gold Matte; and Matrix LED headlights that light up in 1-2-4-5-3 segments during locking and unlocking as a nod to the five-cylinder’s firing order.
Powertrain
The RS 3 Competition Limited’s engine makes no more power than the standard RS 3. That’s okay, because the RS 3’s turbocharged 2.5-liter engine is special. It produces big power for its size, and it sings a unique tune. Output is 394 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, which enables a 3.6-second zero-to-60-mph time. The engine sits mostly in front of the front axle in a transverse layout, and Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive (AWD) system sends power to all four wheels. A limited-slip rear differential that Audi calls a torque splitter comes standard.
Interior
The RS 3 Competition Limited features RS sport seats with black leather bolsters and microfiber centers colored Neodymium Gold. The door armrests and center console are also upholstered in gold. The seats have a diamond pattern and Ginger White contrast stitching that can be found throughout the cabin. The front seat backs are matte carbon.
The steering wheel is flattened both top and bottom. It’s upholstered in black microfiber and has a Ginger White stripe at the 12 o’clock position. The door lighting projects “RS 3 competition limited” lettering, and that lettering is also found on the floor mats, the tops of the seats, and the trunk carpet. That trunk has a rather small 11.3-cubic feet of cargo space. A panoramic sunroof comes standard.
Technology
Every Audi RS 3 features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster called the Virtual Cockpit, as well as a 10.1-inch infotainment touchscreen. In the RS 3 Competition Limited, the Virtual Cockpit’s digital instruments have a white background and they can show current horsepower and torque, G forces, lap times, and acceleration times. More gauges can be found in the touchscreen, including temperatures for the coolant, torque splitter, brakes, and engine and transmission oil.
Audi outfits the 2026 RS 3 with Amazon Alexa connectivity, a wi-fi hotspot, navigation, a head-up display, and a Sonos audio system. We expect these features to carry over to this special-edition model.
Safety
Audi hasn’t announced the safety features of the RS 3 Competition Limited. However, the standard features of the regular RS 3 should carry over. They include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system.
The RS 3 has no crash-test results, and the A3 upon which it is based has very few. The A3 has not been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In testing with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), it only received a top "Good" rating in the small front overlap test.
Pricing and Release Date
Audi hasn’t announced pricing for the RS 3 Competition Limited, but it will certainly command a premium over the standard RS 3, which costs $67,395 (including a $1,295 destination fee) for the 2026 model year. The company also hasn’t said how many of the 750 Competition Limited models will make their way to the United States.
European deliveries are scheduled for the second half of 2026, and the US models should arrive soon thereafter.
