The Audi RS3 "Performance Edition" Can Hit 186 MPH

The Audi RS3 is no slump — but for those looking for that little bit extra, the German marque has you covered with the all-new RS3 “Performance Edition.” Coming as an optional pack in both Sportback and Sedan guises, the new iteration takes the formidable super-hot hatch and dials things up to eleven, adding more power and a higher top speed alongside lots of sporty add-ons.

Starting with the legendary five-cylinder turbocharged 2.5-liter engine, the RS3 now produces 407 HP (instead of the stock 401 HP), while the top speed is up from 178 MPH to 186 MPH, entering supercar territory. Likewise, the 0-62 MPH time is a quoted 3.8 seconds, however, independent tests have proven the car can hit the sprint in around 3.3 seconds in stock mode.

This all comes with added torque, now coming in at 100 RPM later to deliver 500 Nm, which is all sent through the proprietary Quatrro all-wheel-drive system and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to create one of, if not the, best hot hatches money can buy.

To enhance the sportiness of the “Performance Edition,” Audi has tuned the exhaust system to be much louder and more prominent in Dynamic, RS Performance, and RS Torque Rear modes. Elsewhere, cosmetic and performance enhancements like black detailing all around, ceramic brakes, bucket seats, and an adaptive chassis now all come as standard, with the dampers being tuned to ensure a tighter handling result.

In order to make this RS3 stand out from the rest, you can opt for pearl-effect colors “Nogaro Blue,” “Arrow Gray” and “Daytona Gray” as well as “Sebring Black Crystal Effect” and “Glacier White Metallic,” sitting alongside 19” rims in “Dark Grey Matte.” Finishing touches like “3-0-0” (denoting the KPH) and “RS Performance” floodlighting, as well a decorative carbon inlay on the dashboard, further allude to this being a special version of the car.

That is all because Audi is only making 300 “Performance Edition” RS3s. Each will cost from €75,000 EUR as a Sportback and €77,000 EUR as a Sedan, and deliveries will commence in early 2023. (Prices approximately $73,700 — $75,700 USD).

In case you missed it, check out what happened when Hypebeast got behind the wheel of the Audi RS3.