Audi is offering a limited edition RS 3 to mark 50 years and the end of the line for its legendary five-cylinder engine.
Limited to 750 examples, just 18 of which are bound for Oz, the RS 3 Competition Limited combines expressive design with matte carbon-fibre elements.
When the Audi RS2 Avant debuted with the first RS five-cylinder engine in 1994, it had white instrument dials.
Harking back to those days, the digital instruments of the Competition Limited also feature a white background.
The turbocharged 2.5-litre in-line five boasts 294kW of power and 500Nm of torque, delivering a unique note and extraordinary performance.
The dash from 0-100 km/h takes just 3.8 seconds on the way to a top speed of 290 km/h.
For the first time, the RS 3 features a sophisticated coil-over suspension setup and beefier rear stabiliser bar.
It comprises twin-tube dampers (stainless steel front and aluminium rear), with external reservoirs for the front shocks.
At the rear, there are larger-diameter shock-absorber tubes with thicker piston rods, and a thicker and stiffer anti-roll bar too.
In combination with a torque splitter and ceramic brakes, steering and handling are first rate.
Other carbon-fibre elements include two new canards at either front corner, which are arranged on top of each other and are made of carbon-fibre to match the vertical blades of the air curtains.
Combined with the now split front lip, which is fitted below the intakes, this makes the special edition appear even wider.
Imposing 19-inch wheels with 10 cross spokes in Neodymium gold matte fill the arches.
Mirror caps, side skirts, and a rear spoiler, all in matte carbon, as well as the matte carbon trim above the large functional diffuser complete the purposeful look.
Partial matting on the rear side window to show the model’s name underlines it even further.
The darkened matrix LED headlights are also unique to the special edition.
When locking or unlocking the car, their segments illuminate in a 1-2-4-5-3 pattern – a nod to the firing order of the five-cylinder engine.
The limited edition comes in three colours including eye-catching Malachite Green, reminiscent of the Audi Sport Quattro and the golden age of rallying with five-cylinder power.
The other two options are best-selling Daytona grey and the new Glacier white matte.
No word on pricing yet or when the Audi RS 3 Competition Limited will touch down on Australian soil, but it’s not going to be cheap.
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