Audi Launches Limited-Edition RS3 to Mark 50 Years of the Five-Cylinder Engine—Potentially Its Final Bow

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of its legendary inline-five engine, Audi has unveiled the limited-edition RS3 Competition Limited, with only 750 units worldwide—comprising 585 Sportback and 165 sedan models, of which 187 are allocated to Germany. The car is powered by the current 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder engine, producing 400 horsepower, accelerating from 0–62 mph in 3.8 seconds, and reaching a top speed of 180 mph. The standout feature is its enhanced exhaust sound experience: achieved by reducing firewall insulation material, optimizing exhaust valve logic, and—for the first time—equipping factory-fitted three-way adjustable coilover suspension that lowers the ride height by 10 mm. Exterior highlights include a full matte carbon fiber body kit and exclusive “Neodymium Gold” 19-inch forged wheels. Unique paint options pay homage to the Sport Quattro, including a special peacock green. Inside, the cabin features carbon fiber bucket seats upholstered in gold-colored microfiber with white contrast stitching, while the instrument cluster echoes the design of the 1994 RS2. Priced from approximately $117,000 in Germany, deliveries are scheduled to begin in June 2026. With increasingly stringent emissions regulations, this model may mark the final appearance of the current-generation five-cylinder engine.