Audi RS Q3 F3Stage 1 to Stage 4 tuning guide

Software alone adds 40–80 PS. HPerformance's Stage 1 claims 480 PS with a TÜV report, from €1,249, or €1,799 with its options (HPerformance). Unitronic claims 476 hp and 469 lb-ft on 91 octane / 95 RON (Unitronic), and BAR-TEK 480 hp and 600 Nm in a €779.58 bundle (BAR-TEK). ABT's Power S uses a plug-in control unit for 440 PS and 520 Nm, and 0–100 km/h in 4.3 seconds (ABT).

Typical cost: BAR-TEK €779.58 bundle or HPerformance from €1,249 with TÜV (€1,799 with options).List prices, Sept 2026, before shipping, import tax and fitting.

Stage 1 tunes compared

Parts list

• Tune required HPerformanceUnitronicBAR-TEKABT Power S

  A new calibration for the engine computer; ABT's is a control unit that plugs in instead.

• Gearbox (S tronic) tune recommended Unitronic TCU (with Stage 1+)

  Unitronic requires its gearbox software from Stage 1+; HPerformance sells gearbox software as an option with its Stage 1.

Unitronic's Stage 1+ claims 505 hp on 93 octane / 98 RON and needs its gearbox software, with an intake, turbo inlet and intercooler recommended (Unitronic); its Stage 2 adds a downpipe for 554 hp and 527 lb-ft (Unitronic). HPerformance's Stage 1+ claims 510 PS and 630 Nm with its intercooler and a 4-inch intake, from €4,999 (HPerformance), and its Stage 2 claims 530 PS and 670 Nm with a TÜV downpipe with catalysts, fitted and registered, for €10,999–11,499 (HPerformance). BAR-TEK's Stage 2 bundle claims 520 hp and 630 Nm for €3,201.26 (BAR-TEK).

Typical cost: HPerformance intake with 4-inch inlet €1,199, RACE intercooler €2,099–2,189, Milltek downpipe £1,691.90; BAR-TEK Stage 2 bundle €3,201.26; HPerformance Stage 2 €10,999–11,499 fitted.List prices, Sept 2026, before shipping, import tax and fitting.

Stage 2 setups compared

Parts list

• Intercooler required Wagner EVO3HPerformance RACE

  Wagner's core holds 16.5 litres against 8.2 stock; HPerformance's RACE costs €2,099–2,189.

• Intake and turbo inlet required HPerformance 5-inch intake + 4-inch inlet

  €1,199 for the open intake with the 4-inch turbo inlet.

• Downpipe required Milltek with sports catHPerformance TÜV downpipe

  Milltek's is £1,691.90 with VAT for the 2020-on filter cars; HPerformance's 4-inch TÜV downpipe starts at €3,799.

The stock turbo is the next limit. HPerformance's Stage 3 claims 620 PS and 720 Nm with a TC Turbos X8, its intercooler, a 4-inch inlet and TÜV downpipe, for €16,499–16,999 with TÜV (HPerformance). BAR-TEK's Stage 3 bundle claims 700 hp and 650 Nm with its upgrade turbo and injectors, for €5,571.01 (BAR-TEK). TTE reworks the stock turbo of the DAZA / DNWA engine into its TTE600 RACE, proven at 630 PS on 102 RON and 590 hp on 99 RON, for £3,155.63 at AwesomeGTI (AwesomeGTI).

Typical cost: TTE600 RACE £3,155.63; BAR-TEK Stage 3 bundle €5,571.01; HPerformance Stage 3 €16,499–16,999 with TÜV.List prices, Sept 2026, before shipping, import tax and fitting.

Turbo upgrades compared

Parts list

• Upgrade turbo required TC Turbos X8 (HPerformance)TTE600 RACE

  Swapped for or built on the stock turbo.

• Engine and gearbox software required HPerformanceBAR-TEK

  Written for the exact turbo.

• Gearbox oil catch tank recommended HPerformance DSG catch tank

  €389; listed for the RS Q3 F3.

HPerformance's Stage 4 claims 707 PS and 840 Nm on pump fuel, with the TC Turbos X8, its own connecting rods to lower the compression, and bigger injectors, from €27,899 with TÜV (HPerformance). BAR-TEK's Stage 4 bundle claims 800 hp and 700 Nm with its Thor turbo and a fuel pump upgrade, for €9,166.74 (BAR-TEK). TTE's TTE800 is rated at over 700 PS on 102 RON and up to 850 PS on E85, for £4,733.87 (AwesomeGTI).

Big builds compared

Parts list

• Big turbo required TC Turbos X8 (HPerformance)TTE800

  Replaces the stock turbo.

• Stronger internals required HPerformance connecting rods

  Part of HPerformance's Stage 4, with lower compression.

• Gearbox clutch required BAR-TEK DQ500 clutch

  Rated at 1,000 Nm and more; €1,945.55 before VAT.