ABT’s Audi RS3-R has 493bhp and a spiky aero package

If you're a regular on these pages, you'll probably be familiar with the work of German tuner ABT Sportsline. Its modus operandi is essentially to take VW Group products and give them more speed and power. Sounds simple, but it's also fond of complete overhauls that it offers in very limited numbers. See the 730bhp ABT RS6-R for reference. 

And now we have good news! A baby brother to that bonkers estate has been born, and it shall be known as the RS3-R...

If you’re feeling the need for more, uh, speed compared to the standard 394bhp RS3, ABT's Power R upgrade boosts the 2.5-litre turbo 5cyl to 493bhp and 443lb ft of torque. That's an increase of 99bhp and 74lb ft over the standard car, fact fans.

This reportedly shaves half a second off the 0-62mph time – down from 3.8 seconds to 3.3 – while ABT says that using a free phone app customers can increase the top speed to 186mph. Handy if you live near the autobahn, less so the M25.

Additional modifications include sportier suspension, a custom-built exhaust, 20-inch forged wheels and a carbon aero package – note the extremely spiky front lip and flicks, as well as the rear skirt insert and spoiler. Oh, and there's new mirror caps for good measure.

Inside, there’s much ABT/RS3-R branding to show that this isn’t any bog standard RS3, while the tuner says it’ll be building just 200 examples. 

What do we reckon, readers?