Audi RS3 Saloon Gets Faster With Massive ABT Power Upgrade

We didn’t really think the Audi RS3 needed any more power. The 2.5-litre engine pumps out 400bhp, which is right at the summit of bonkers hot hatch/baby sports saloon performance. ABT clearly thinks otherwise. The firm has just revealed this breathed-on version, which pumps out 500bhp and 420lb ft of torque. You want more numbers? Gotcha. Given a long enough playground, this smallish family saloon will hit a lightly staggering 186mph. On the way there, it will have blitzed 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds.

One of the main upgrades is ABT’s Engine Control (AEC) unit, developed in-house by the German tuning masters. You could choose to have only this part fitted, and this one addition would pump the power up to 460bhp and a top speed of 174mph. For the true ‘power like a jet-pack’ experience (ABT’s words, those), you can also spec an upgraded intercooler and stainless steel exhaust system. These three bits are included in the ABT Power R package, if you don’t like ticking too many buttons.

There are also some beefy additions that you can’t see. To try and contain all that power, this repmobile rocket ship has uprated suspension with ABT anti-roll bars and springs. Thankfully, the brakes are also better equipped, to be able to deal with all of that power. All good, provided your face stays attached and your vital organs stay in roughly the right place.

Leave it like that and you’d have one of the ultimate sleeper saloons. But if you’d like a bit of extra visual jewellery, ABT will sell you a styling package that is meant to help the aerodynamics. It consists of a front lip, grille badges, a gloss black rear bumper and fender inserts. Oh, and did we mention the new exhaust outlets? Each gorgeous black chrome pipe measures more than 10cm across, and there are four to gaze at. Take a second to imagine the noise coming out of these. Day made.

Do you think the Audi RS3 saloon needs a power hike? Hit the comments section to tell us.