Sure, the Audi RS3 and its delightful five-pot make 400 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. And yes, that figure is fine, but, well, it’s not enough. It’s less power than you can find in a Ford pickup these days, and it completely ignores its competitors, like the M2, which makes 473 horsepower.
No problem. German tuner Abt Sportsline has your back with the RS3-R, an absolute pocket rocket that delivers much more power, much more torque, and a series of suspension upgrades and aero tweaks to turn this limited-edition car into a giant-slaying beast.
This year’s version of the Abt RS3-R starts with Power R upgrades under the hood, taking the 400-hp car up to 510. Torque climbs all the way to 443 lb-ft. Take that, M2. It comes from new engine management software through a piggyback ECU. Abt also upgrades the intercooler to keep all the extra boost from detonating in the cylinders.
The extra power cuts half a second off the 0-60 time, bringing it down to 3.3 seconds. Abt will also remove the speed limiter, letting you really stretch the car’s legs where the rules allow.
Related
10 Supercars The 2025 Audi RS3 Can Spank Around The Nürburgring
The latest RS3 sets a new standard for AWD compact cars around the Green Hell. Here are 10 exotics it crushes at the ‘Ring.
Stiffer springs and sway bars transform the car’s handling. Abt says it becomes more agile, and the new aero parts help with balance at speed. The myABT app lets you adjust the adaptive dampers’ driving modes through your phone to settings not offered by the factory.
Cosmetic Upgrades Show Off The Mechanical Ones
Then there’s the body kit. Abt’s new nose has an aggressive lower splitter and new carbon flics on the edges. It also has new side skirts, a new rear spoiler, and a huge rear diffuser that frames the four large exhaust tips. 20-inch forged wheels from HRE help complete the visual package and show off the brakes underneath.
Abt has gone off inside, too. The new RS3-R has the company’s logos on the headrests and RS3-R badges. The door sills get the company’s branding along with a 1 of 125 logo and illumination. You can get the RS3-R package on the sedan as well as on the Sportback hatch. On the hatch, a new spoiler up top adds an exposed carbon surround to the tailgate glass, making it even more visually aggressive.
Related
ABT Sportsline’s Greatest Creations
German tuning flying very fast under the radar.
How much will this little bundle of “pure racing emotion” set you back? About $43,000 for the sedan on top of the stock RS3 MSRP of $63,400 (excluding destination). That doesn’t include installation, but it does include German sales taxes, so call the two about a wash. This special model is limited to just 125 copies, so if you want one, act fast. Otherwise, you might be stuck with the company’s 460-horsepower RS3-S model. Ew, David.
link