The Audi RS3 Competition Limited celebrates 50 years of the iconic 5-cylinder engine, yet there’s no powertrain upgrade? Here’s all you need to know…
The Audi RS3 Competition Limited will go on sale in limited quantities, with just 750 units to be made. The reason for its existence? To celebrate the iconic 5-cylinder petrol engine that has been powering legendary Audi vehicles for 50 years.
You’d think a powertrain milestone would result in a performance bump or increase in outputs, but sadly the turbocharged 2.5-litre 5-cylinder’s outputs have remained identical to the current iteration. As a reminder, it sends 294 kW and 500 Nm to all 4 wheels via an automatic gearbox and Audi claims 0-100 kph is dispatched in 3.8 seconds. That said, a top speed of 290 kph is claimed for this special edition.
Visually, you can spot the Audi RS3 Competition Limited with its new canard winglets on the front bumper, unique roof spoiler, split front lip, 19-inch Neodymium gold alloy wheels and plenty of carbon-fibre goodies, like the side-mirror caps, rear spoiler and so on. There are new colours to choose from, including Glacier White matte and the Malachite Green you see in these images. Daytona Gray is also pictured, and Audi says that is its most popular hue.
The biggest enhancement can be found in the handling department, where the Audi RS3 Competition Limited now features an adjustable coilover suspension, including a new rear stabiliser. This setup was specifically developed and tuned for this model.
We say adjustable and this is where things get interesting as Audi will be supplying the tools and manuals so customers can adjust compression and rebound rates themselves. The new rear stabiliser is stiffer than the standard car’s unit and Audi says it helps with directional stability and agility when accelerating out of a fast corner.
Inside, the special model features “RS3 Competition Limited” door lighting, RS bucket seats finished in Neodymium Gold with ginger-white stitching, a serial number by the gear selector and a digital instrument cluster with a model-specific theme.
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Will the Audi RS3 Competition Limited come to South Africa?
At the time of writing, there was no official confirmation of this vehicle’s arrival at local showrooms. However, at the annual Volkswagen Group Africa Indaba held at the beginning of 2026, one of the slides showed Audi South Africa’s products for 2027. So, stay tuned…
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the price of the Audi RS 3 in South Africa?
As of early 2026, the Audi RS 3 pricing starts at approximately R1,498,200 for the Sportback and R1,528,200 for the Sedan. Premium “Carbon Edition” variants are priced up to R1,610,700.
How fast is the Audi RS 3?
The Audi RS 3 is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds. Its top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h, though it can be increased to 280 km/h or 290 km/h with optional performance packages.
What engine powers the Audi RS 3?
The RS 3 features the iconic 2.5-litre, 5-cylinder TFSI turbocharged engine. It produces 294 kW of power and 500 Nm of torque, paired with a 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission and quattro all-wheel drive.
What is the Audi Freeway Plan for the RS 3?
In South Africa, the Audi RS 3 comes standard with the Audi Freeway Plan, which provides full maintenance and service cover for 5 years or 100,000 km, whichever comes first. This plan can be extended up to 10 years or 300,000 km.
