2027 Audi RS 3 Sportback Competition Limited 8Y
By Lorenzo Bianchi March 10, 2026
Limited to 750 units worldwide celebrating 50 years of Audi’s five-cylinder engine.
2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five producing 400 PS and 500 Nm.
Adjustable coilover suspension, carbon aerodynamic elements, and exclusive interior detailing.
A Special Edition Marking Five Cylinder Heritage
The 2027 Audi RS 3 Sportback Competition Limited arrives as a tribute to one of the brand’s defining engineering signatures. Audi Sport created the model to celebrate “50 years of five cylinders,” a legacy that traces back to the Audi 100 of the 1970s and later defined rally icons such as the Sport quattro.
Production will be restricted to 750 examples, positioning the limited edition squarely in collector territory. Every element, including the cabin finishes and chassis enhancements, contributes to that feeling of exclusivity.
Fundamentally, though, the recipe is still the same: a small Audi RS model with a unique five-cylinder turbocharged engine that combines powerful performance with a soundtrack that is unmatched in the market.
Carbon Details and a Sharpened RS Exterior
Visually, the RS 3 Sportback Competition Limited builds on the aggressive stance already associated with Audi’s RS lineup.
The front fascia is dominated by a large Singleframe grille that merges visually with the surrounding air intakes. For the limited edition, Audi has sharpened this area further with additional aerodynamic elements. Carbon canards sit at the outer corners of the bumper, stacked vertically above the air curtains. A split front lip reinforces the lower edge of the design, visually widening the car’s track.
Matte carbon appears across several exterior components including the mirror caps, side skirts, roof spoiler, and trim surrounding the rear diffuser. The effect is technical rather than decorative.
The car rides on 19-inch wheels with ten cross spokes finished in Neodymium gold matte, filling the arches with a slightly motorsport-inspired look. Exterior colors include Daytona Gray, Glacier White matte, and the striking Malachite Green, a shade inspired by the historic Audi Sport quattro rally car.
Even the lighting carries a subtle reference. When unlocking the car, the darkened matrix LED headlights illuminate in a 1-2-4-5-3 sequence, mirroring the firing order of the five-cylinder engine.
The 2.5 TFSI Five Cylinder Remains the Centerpiece
Performance still revolves around Audi’s celebrated 2.5-liter TFSI turbocharged inline-five.
In the RS 3 Competition Limited, the engine produces 294 kW (400 PS) and 500 Nm of torque. The numbers translate to serious pace for a compact performance hatch: 0–100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 290 km/h.
Yet numbers alone do not tell the whole story. The firing order of the five cylinders produces the uneven rhythm that gives the engine its unmistakable sound. Audi amplifies that character further through the RS sport exhaust system, whose variable flaps open earlier in dynamic driving modes.
Reduced sound insulation between engine bay and cabin also allows occupants to hear more of the engine’s natural voice.
Adjustable Suspension and Track Ready Hardware
For the first time on the RS 3, Audi Sport introduces a coilover suspension system designed specifically for the Competition Limited model.
Because the compression and rebound characteristics may be independently adjusted, the chassis can be tailored for comfort, everyday driving, or more aggressive track use. The suspension enhances directional stability and cornering accuracy in conjunction with a firmer rear stabilizer.
Audi's torque splitter, which divides power between the back wheels to improve turn-in and traction during corner departure, continues to be crucial to the car's handling balance. Ceramic brakes with red calipers provide dependable stopping power even under high loads.
Interior Design with a Focus on Exclusivity
The interior is made to reflect the car's limited-edition status when the door is opened.
The cabin feels very different from the ordinary RS 3 thanks to the color palette, which combines black, neodymium gold, and ginger white. Leather bolsters and Dinamica microfiber cores are combined in RS bucket seats, and the diamond-patterned fabric is highlighted by contrast stitching.
Each car carries consecutive numbering on the center console, highlighting the model’s restricted production run.
Technology also leans toward performance. The 10.1-inch display presents RS-specific information including temperatures, torque splitter data, tire pressure, and lap timing. The Audi virtual cockpit adds displays for G-forces, power output, and acceleration figures.
A Small Performance Icon
The 2027 Audi RS 3 Sportback Competition Limited is a continuation as well as a celebration.
The distinguishing feature is still the five-cylinder engine. Audi Sport has designed a more expressive look, a sharper chassis, and an enthusiast-focused interior around it.
The RS 3 Competition Limited serves as a reminder of a mechanical heritage that still appeals to performance drivers in a market that is moving more and more toward electrification.