‘Unique’ in segment
Audi Sport has unveiled an exclusive special-edition model to celebrate the 50-year anniversary of its five-cylinder engine.
Only 750 examples of the RS 3 competition limited will be built with 10 available in New Zealand.
Its inline five makes the brawny compact unique in its segment by “combining extraordinary performance with an unmistakable sound”.
When driven, the car lives up to its sporting pedigree thanks to a coil-over suspension and stiffer rear stabiliser.
Visually, extra carbon elements “leave no doubt” about its credentials when combined with the exclusive interior, including a matte serial number in front of the shifter to reflect the model’s limited run.
Greg Leet, general manager of Audi NZ, says the RS 3 competition limited “honours five decades of our iconic five cylinder history and brings our motorsport DNA to the road in a way only Audi Sport can. This limited-edition model represents a rare opportunity for customers to own a piece of Audi history”.
The 10 units for New Zealand will be split evenly across the sportback and sedan. They will be pre-specified and have extensive standard equipment. Both body styles feature matte-carbon elements on the exterior, neodymium gold wheels, RS bucket seats, special digital dials and consecutive numbering.
There will be two exterior colour options available in here – malachite green and glacier white. Pricing and specifications for New Zealand will be released next quarter, but customers are encouraged to register their interest or contact their local Audi dealership due to the limited nature.
Performance and sound
Back in 1983, the Audi Sport quattro delivered 225kW and 350Nm from its 2.1-litre engine. Today, the RS 3’s 2.5-litre five cylinder produces 294kW and 50Nm, making it the only engine of its kind in this segment.
This power enables the RS 3 competition limited to accelerate from 0-100kph in 3.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 290kph. Its signature sound is created by its 1-2-4-5-3 firing order.
A fully variable RS sports exhaust enhances this with flaps that open earlier in dynamic, performance and torque-rear modes for a more pronounced engine note.
For the first time, the RS 3 features a coil-over suspension including a new rear stabiliser. In combination with the torque splitter and standard ceramic brakes, the limited edition offers distinctly sporty handling.
The coil-over suspension was developed and tuned for this model. The materials used in the twin-tube shock absorbers’ construction – stainless steel at the front and aluminium at the rear – were chosen for stiffness and increased volumes help cool the hydraulic fluid.
The front shock absorbers have external reservoirs. Better cooling means the dampers perform consistently, even under high loads. At the rear, larger diameter damper tubes with thicker piston rods compared to the standard model provide more stable mounting and rigidity.
