Limited Edition Audi RS3-R Sedan Costs More Than An RS5

Oct. 08, 2022 4:23 PM ET by Karl Furlong Special Editions / 3 Comments

But with only 200 available globally, you're unlikely to see another one on the road.

Back in July, ABT Sportsline showed off its new RS3-R, a special edition of the already potent Audi RS3 Sportback. As we noted at the time, the RS3 Sportback isn't sold in the USA - we only have the RS3 Sedan, which for several reasons is actually superior to the Euro-spec model. Bjoern Marek, President and CMO of ABT North America, promised that the RS3-R would be coming in sedan form and here it is.

Limited to just 200 units worldwide, the exclusivity factor of this stealthy Audi is high. Like the Sportback, it receives many of the same tasteful design upgrades and a few under-the-skin alterations, too.

Outside, the RS3-R boasts a full carbon fiber aero package. Gloss carbon fiber is used for almost everything including the front lip and flics, mirror caps, and rear skirt insert.

Whereas the stock RS3 Sedan has 19-inch wheels, the RS3-R comes with 20-inch forged wheels that not only look good but lower the car's unsprung weight. Fender add-ons in gloss black and double end tailpipes with a 3.7-inch diameter are also new, and ABT hasn't gone nuts with its branding: the tuner's own name and the RS3-R insignia are small enough not to detract from the design. Especially in this shade of black, this is a small sedan that packs quite a visual punch, more so than its rival, the Mercedes-AMG CLA 45.

ABT-integrated entry lights and door sills indicating the exclusivity and individual number of each RS3-R are nice touches, but this limited edition isn't only about the way it looks. Special ABT suspension springs and sports stabilizer bars ensure that the already grippy quattro all-wheel-drive RS3 handles even more deftly than it does in stock form.

For an added cost, ABT will equip a V3 height adjustable suspension with a lowering range of between 0.78 and 1.57 inches between the front and rear axles.

Although the interior hasn't been changed too much, ABT does make mention of new floor mats with the RS3-R logo and an ABT-branded start/stop button. We wouldn't mess too much with the RS3's interior either, as it's already one of the best.

Although ABT didn't make mention of any powertrain upgrades this time around, the RS3-R Sportback revealed earlier this year came with a Power R performance upgrade that pushed outputs to 500 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque. The stock RS3 Sedan makes 401 hp and 369 lb-ft from its distinctive-sounding 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine and can reach 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, so with potentially another 100 hp, not much will keep up with it.

According to the price list on ABT's site, the RS3-R Sedan Package will cost $26,900, which is on top of the $58,900 base price for a new RS3 in the USA - that makes it more expensive than the RS5. For around half that price, you can add Audi's full spectrum of options like the RS Technology Package (head-up display, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, and more), the Black Optic Plus Package, the Dynamic Plus Package with ceramic front brakes, an RS sport exhaust, and the exterior Carbon Package. Of course, it still won't be as unique as ABT's RS3-R.

"You shouldn't put off your rendezvous with our handsome little racing car for too long, because soon all the cars could be sold out," said managing partner Hans-Jurgen Abt.

If you are interested in an ABT RS3-R Limited Edition, you better move fast.

Limited Edition Audi RS3-R Sedan Costs More Than An RS5

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Limited Edition Audi RS3-R Sedan Costs More Than An RS5

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