Audi RS3 Competition: A £92k Farewell to the Five-Cylinder
▼ Summary
– The Audi RS3 Competition is an ultra-limited final edition marking the end of the RS3 model and its five-cylinder engine.
– It features significant performance upgrades, including a torque-splitter rear axle, adjustable coilovers, and optional track-focused tires.
– Exterior changes are subtle but distinct, with aggressive front intakes, matte carbonfibre components, and unique lighting that displays the engine’s firing order.
– The interior is highly customized with Competition branding, special bucket seats, white digital dials, and a numbered center console plaque, as only 750 units will be produced.
– It is offered in exclusive colors like Malachite green and features unique 19-inch wheels finished in a matte gold that continues as a theme inside the cabin.
The Audi RS3 Competition represents the ultimate and final evolution of a beloved performance icon, serving as a swan song for the brand’s charismatic five-cylinder engine. This ultra-exclusive model builds upon the standard car’s formidable reputation, introducing a suite of focused upgrades designed to deliver a more intense and track-capable driving experience. While it shares the core mechanical brilliance of the regular RS3, including the celebrated torque-splitter rear differential, the Competition variant adds manually adjustable coilover suspension, a stiffer anti-roll bar, and the option for ultra-sticky Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires. These enhancements promise to elevate the car’s dynamic abilities to a new level, making its impending departure all the more poignant.
Visually, the Competition is distinguished by subtle yet purposeful modifications. The front end gains more aggressive intakes framed in unique matte carbon fibre, complemented by small canards and a subtle splitter. Matrix LED headlights are darkened, and they feature a special animation that displays the engine’s iconic 1-2-4-5-3 firing order upon entry, a delightful nod to its heart. Further matte carbon fibre adorns the mirror caps, side skirts, and a revised rear spoiler designed to reduce lift. The exclusive Malachite green paint, a callback to the legendary Sport Quattro, is a standout, though grey and white are also offered. The intricate 19-inch wheels are finished in a distinctive Neodymium matte gold, a theme that continues inside the cabin.
The interior leaves no doubt about the car’s special status. Stunning carbonfibre-backed bucket seats are upholstered in a striking off-white quilted Alcantara, accented with gold stitching and trim. The cabin is further personalized with ‘Ginger white’ seat belts, an Alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, and white digital dials inspired by the classic RS2. Competition branding is thoughtfully integrated throughout, appearing on the seats, floor mats, and even etched into the rear glass. Perhaps the most significant touch is the individually numbered plaque on the centre console, denoting which of the 750 global examples you have the privilege of piloting.
It is a bittersweet moment for enthusiasts as Audi prepares to sunset the RS3 and its unique five-cylinder powertrain. The Competition package ensures this final chapter is written with emphasis on heightened engagement and exclusivity. By refining an already brilliant chassis and wrapping it in a meticulously detailed, limited-run package, Audi aims to provide a fitting and memorable farewell to a true performance legend.
(Source: evo)