2027 Audi RS 3 Sedan Competition Limited 8Y
By Lorenzo Bianchi March 10, 2026
Limited to 750 units worldwide celebrating Audi’s five-cylinder heritage.
2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five producing 400 PS and 500 Nm.
Coilover suspension, torque splitter handling system, and extensive carbon design elements.
A Limited Edition Celebrating Audi’s Five Cylinder Legacy
The 2027 Audi RS 3 Sedan Competition Limited arrives as a milestone model for Audi Sport. Created to mark 50 years of the brand’s five-cylinder engine, the limited edition reflects a lineage that began in the late 1970s and later shaped icons such as the Audi Sport quattro.
Only 750 examples will be produced worldwide, reinforcing the car’s collector-focused positioning. Audi Sport frames the model as both a celebration and a technical evolution of the RS 3 formula.
The sedan retains the compact proportions familiar to the A3-based performance platform, but almost every visual and mechanical detail has been sharpened to underline its special-edition status.
Exterior Design Emphasizing Carbon and Motorsport Influence
At first glance, the RS 3 Sedan Competition Limited carries the unmistakable stance of Audi’s RS lineup.
The front fascia is built around the large Singleframe grille, visually integrated with wide air intakes and a sharply defined front lip. For the limited edition, Audi adds aerodynamic carbon components including stacked carbon canards positioned at the outer corners of the bumper.
These elements work with a split front spoiler and vertical air curtain blades to give the sedan a wider, more planted appearance. Carbon detailing continues along the body through mirror caps, side skirts, and the trim surrounding the rear diffuser.
The car rides on 19-inch wheels finished in matte Neodymium gold, filling the arches with a slightly motorsport-inspired presence. Exterior color options include Daytona Gray, Glacier White matte, and the distinctive Malachite Green, a color recalling the Audi Sport quattro rally era.
Even the headlights contribute to the theme. The darkened matrix LED units illuminate in a 1-2-4-5-3 sequence when the vehicle is locked or unlocked — a subtle reference to the firing order of the five-cylinder engine.
The Five Cylinder Engine Remains the Core Identity
Beneath the hood sits the heart of the RS 3’s appeal.
Audi’s 2.5-liter TFSI turbocharged inline-five produces 294 kW (400 PS) and 500 Nm of torque. The figures translate into strong performance for the compact sedan, with 0–100 km/h arriving in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 290 km/h.
What continues to distinguish the engine, however, is not simply output. The unusual firing order produces a distinctive rhythm that has become synonymous with Audi’s five-cylinder heritage.
Audi enhances that character through the RS sport exhaust system, whose variable flaps open earlier in dynamic drive modes. Reduced insulation around the firewall also allows the engine note to reach the cabin more directly.
Precise Handling and an Adjustable Chassis
Audi Sport offers the first completely adjustable coilover suspension system made especially for the RS 3.
Compression and rebound characteristics can be separately adjusted by drivers, enabling the suspension to be customized for road driving, circuit use, or comfort.
A stiffer rear stabilizer further sharpens the sedan’s handling response, particularly during corner exit. The familiar Audi torque splitter distributes power between the rear wheels to improve traction and agility.
Ceramic brakes with red calipers offer sturdy and dependable stopping under heavy loads.
Interior Design Showcasing the Character of the Limited Series
The unique edition identity is more noticeable inside the cabin.
The interior's color scheme, which contrasts with the typical RS 3, is made up of black, neodymium gold, and ginger white. Leather bolsters and Dinamica microfiber centers with contrast stitching in Ginger White adorn the highly curved RS bucket seats.
The center console of every vehicle features a distinct serial number that highlights the model's small production run.
Performance data is at the core of technology. While the Audi virtual cockpit displays G-forces, acceleration statistics, and lap timing, the 10.1-inch touchscreen offers RS-specific data such as engine, brake, and torque splitter temperatures.
A Compact RS Sedan with Collector Appeal
The 2027 Audi RS 3 Sedan Competition Limited blends familiar RS engineering with a clear sense of occasion.
The five-cylinder engine remains central to the experience. Around it, Audi Sport has developed a sharper chassis, a more expressive exterior, and a cabin designed to emphasize exclusivity.
In a market steadily shifting toward electrification, the RS 3 Competition Limited stands as a reminder of the mechanical character that has long defined Audi’s performance cars.