Abt RS3 630: A Seriously Hot Hatch Built to Celebrate the Legendary Tuner's Anniversary

German tuning company Abt Sportsline has unveiled several special anniversary projects to mark its 130th anniversary, one of them being the Abt RS3 630, based on the third-generation Audi RS 3 hatchback. Its 2.5-liter EA855 turbocharged five-cylinder engine has been boosted to 630 horsepower, the suspension has been upgraded to handle the additional power, and the body has been fitted with an aggressive aerodynamic package.

A tuning company celebrating its 130th anniversary? As surprising as it sounds, it's true. Abt is a family-owned business, and the original company bearing the name was founded in 1896 by blacksmith Johann Baptist Abt. At first, Abt "tuned" horses and horse-drawn carriages, and it wasn't until 1991 that the modern Abt Sportsline tuning company was established, eventually producing numerous high-performance vehicles based on various Audi models.

Abt Sportsline has extensive experience modifying the Audi RS 3, and the Abt RS3 630 serves as something of a culmination of the company's work with the model.

Audi has decided not to update the EA855 engine, which powered all three generations of the RS 3, to meet Euro 7 emissions standards. Whether there will be a new Audi RS 3 remains unknown, and if there is, it will use a different powertrain—possibly even an electric one. In short, Abt is giving the current, iconic Audi RS 3 a memorable sendoff.

In the current production Audi RS 3, the EA855 engine produces up to 400 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Abt has increased output to 630 horsepower and 516 lb-ft thanks to a larger turbocharger and its IWI (Indirect Water/Ethanol Injection) system, which injects a water-and-ethanol mixture into the intake manifold to cool the combustion chambers.

The transmission remains the standard seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, while the quattro all-wheel-drive system with twin rear-wheel clutch packs is also unchanged. Performance figures for the Abt RS3 630 have not been released. The standard Audi RS 3 accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds and has a top speed of 186 mph.

The new carbon-fiber aerodynamic package developed specifically for the Abt RS3 630 is complemented by four 3.7-inch exhaust tips integrated into the rear bumper and 20-inch Abt High Performance HR20 forged wheels wrapped in 245/30 R20 performance tires.

To ensure stable handling, the suspension has been upgraded with new rebound- and compression-adjustable dampers along with stiffer anti-roll bars.

The cabin remains largely stock but features several exclusive Abt Sportsline touches, including RS3 630 lettering on the door sills and floor mats, an embroidered anniversary medallion on the center armrest, custom LED ambient lighting, an engine start button engraved with the Abt logo, and a numbered plaque on the dashboard.

Abt will build just 30 examples of the RS3 630 hatchback. The conversion costs approximately $67,000, not including the donor vehicle, which starts at approximately $77,000 in Germany.