It's hard to believe, but one of Audi's most brand-defining engines is already half a century old, but the German automaker introduced its first inline-five engine in 1976. In the intervening five decades, the rorty engine layout has been used in everything from economical entry-level sedans to world-beating turbocharged rally cars, so the Four Rings are celebrating by building a special edition of the only current vehicle to use a five-cylinder. The 2026 Audi RS 3 competition limited [sic, but we're gonna start capitalizing anyway] receives several visual and mechanical changes compared to the standard car, with production capped at 750 units to ensure each one is something special. A Pint-Size Rocketship, Wings And All The Competition Limited receives a few subtle exterior alterations that make it look even more road-hungry and bombastic than the already-aggressive RS 3. Up front, the gaping grille and aggressive brake vents get augmented with two carbon fiber canards on each corner of the front bumper. A split front spoiler sits beneath the grille, giving the RS 3 a lower, meaner stance. The LED headlamps also have a trick up their sleeves; when approaching the vehicle or unlocking it using the key fob, the five-section matrix illuminates in a 1-2-4-5-3 pattern to recall the firing order of the five-cylinder engine under the hood.AudiThe revised side skirts and rear lip spoiler also come trimmed in carbon fiber, as do the mirror skull caps. A functional rear diffuser and massive, polished oval exhaust pipes round out the new bodywork, and it all sits atop a lacy, gold-painted set of 19-inch wheels. Audi will offer the RS 3 Competition Limited in three different colors, with Daytona Gray carrying over from the main lineup. Joining it are the new Glacier White Matte and Malachite Green, the latter chosen to pay homage to the 1984 Audi Sport Quattro that made five-cylinder engines something to lust after.2026 Audi RS 3 competition limited Sedan Exterior 12 Front View StudioThere are a few cosmetic changes to the interior as well, with the wheels' pale-gold "Neodymium" color echoed on the Dinamica microfiber seat centers and door panel armrests. Ginger white also shows up in the contrast stitching, seat belts, and steering wheel centering stripe. Finally, in another nod to heritage, the digital instrument panel gets white-faced gauges to recall the 1994 Audi RS 2 Avant. Some Fab New Suspension Hardware The RS3 Competition Limited will come standard with most of the regular RS 3's optional equipment, including carbon ceramic brakes, an RS sports exhaust system, and raised 180-mph top speed. Engine output is unchanged at 394 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, but the Competition Limited does get one big enhancement no other member of the RS 3 family will. Unlike the conventional adaptive-damper suspension, the special edition receives a new set of coilovers with stainless steel front and aluminum rear shock absorbers.2026 Audi RS 3 competition limited Sedan Interior 4 Front SeatsThis new suspension layout is manually adjustable, and Audi will include the necessary tools and a how-to guide to help owners find the perfect balance of low- and high-speed compression and rebound. Furthermore, the front shocks also get remote reservoirs for better control of the fluid's temperature, while stiffer mounting points and larger rods in the rear improve chassis stiffness and consistency. The RS 3 Competition Limited also gets a larger-diameter tubular rear anti-roll bar that should help reduce understeer. Available In Germany Now, America Later Audi announced the RS 3 Competition Limited by including pricing information in its home market. Available in both sedan and Sportback body styles, the compact performance car will be limited to just 750 units. The five-door has a price of 108,365 euros, while the four-door costs 110,005 euros. We asked Audi of America if the company had any plans to import the RS 3 Competition Limited here, and thank goodness company reps said yes.2026 Audi RS 3 competition limited Sportback Exterior 15The spokesperson said, however, that we would only receive the sedan (unsurprising) and that the vehicle's market-specific debut – including pricing – is some time away. However, the company insisted that merely converting euros to dollars would be an inaccurate way to estimate the cash needed to park one of the limited editions in the garage. A fully loaded 2026 Audi RS 3 costs $78,140, so we presume the RS 3 Competition Limited will demand a bit more than that thanks to its bespoke suspension bits; figure a price of maybe $90,000 or so.Source: Audi
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