Power by stage
Stage 1 and 2 are the tuners' own published figures on pump fuel (91–93 US / 95–98 RON). Stage 3 figures are turbo-kit makers' claims, often on higher-octane fuel, and Stage 4 is a community build range. Real results depend on fuel, weather and the individual car.
Names with an arrow go straight to that part's product page for this car.
Which Audi RS3 do you have?
We have guides for 2 generations of the Audi RS3. Each has its own engine version, so parts and power figures often differ: check the years, then open the guide for yours.
| Generation | Years | Engine | Stock power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Audi RS3 8V | 2015–2020 | 2.5 TFSI EA855 EVO | 394 hp (US, 2017+) |
| Audi RS3 8Y (this guide) | 2021– (Sportback and Saloon) | 2.5 TFSI five-cylinder (EA855 evo) | 401 hp (US) |
Stage 1: Software only
+45 to +160 hpEvery flash tune for the 8Y needs the engine computer unlocked first: APR supplies an unlocked ECU, and Unitronic unlocks yours by send-in. Published figures on pump fuel range from APR's 446 hp on 91 octane to Unitronic's 561 hp on 93; tuners measure differently, and APR measured the stock car at 412 hp on its own dyno. APR says no gearbox tune is needed at its stages. Plug-in modules from ABT, MTM, RaceChip and JB4 leave the factory ECU untouched.
Typical cost: APR $1,200 plus a $1,000 unlock; Unitronic's unlock alone $560 (software through dealers); plug-in modules €479–€609 (RaceChip), $679 (JB4) and $1,499–$1,949 (MTM); HGP €5,800 and ABT Power S €6,090 including VAT.List prices, Sept 2026, before shipping, import tax and fitting.
Stage 1 tunes compared
| Tune | Fuel | Claimed power | Claimed torque | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APR ECU Upgrade | 91 US / 95 RON | 446 hp | 454 lb-ft | 462 hp on 93 US; supplied on an unlocked ECU; APR Plus warranty on the 91-octane file |
| Unitronic Stage 1 | 91 US / 95 RON | 514 hp | 482 lb-ft | Needs an ECU unlock (send-in) |
| Unitronic Stage 1+ | 93 US / 98 RON | 561 hp | 498 lb-ft | The E85 version needs Unitronic's port-injection kit |
| HGP Stage 1 | — | 505 hp | 638 Nm | TÜV-approved; raises DSG clutch pressure; may no longer be offered |
| ABT Power S | — | 485 PS | 560 Nm | Plug-in module; factory ECU untouched |
| MTM M-Cantronic Gen II | 98 RON | 465 PS | 560 Nm | Plug-in module for cars with a particulate filter; from €2,690 incl. German VAT |
| RaceChip GTS 5 Black | — | +60 PS | +80 Nm | Plug-in module |
| Burger JB4 | 91 US or higher | up to +100 whp | up to +100 lb-ft (wheel) | Piggyback; covers 2022–2024 and 2025-on cars |
Recommended with Stage 1
- Engine computer unlock flash tunes
APR ECU upgrade (RS3 8Y)Unitronic 8Y RS3 software
Needed for every flash tune; plug-in modules don't need it.
- Gearbox (TCU) tune or unlocked TCU optional
Unitronic unlocked TCUHGP RS3 8Y packages
APR says none is needed at its stages. Unitronic says its unlocked TCU reduces clutch slip, and HGP raises clutch pressure in every stage.
Stage 2: Intake, intercooler and downpipe
+66 to +164 hpStage 2 adds breathing parts and a file written for them. APR's Stage 2 needs only an intake and an intercooler, while Unitronic's 565 hp Stage 2 also adds a downpipe with mid-pipes. On European cars the particulate filter matters: HGP's TÜV-approved route keeps it with a catalysed downpipe.
Typical cost: APR $1,300 plus the unlock; HGP €8,500 plus €1,000 fitting; ABT Power R €9,151 including VAT.List prices, Sept 2026, before shipping, import tax and fitting.
Stage 2 packages compared
| Package | Fuel | Claimed power | Claimed torque | Required hardware |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| APR Stage 2 | 91–93 US | 467–487 hp | 460–479 lb-ft | Intake and intercooler; no downpipe needed |
| Unitronic Stage 2 | 93 US / 98 RON | 565 hp | 506 lb-ft | Intake, intercooler, spark plugs and a downpipe with mid-pipes |
| HGP Stage 2 | — | 540 hp | 654 Nm | TÜV-approved; larger turbo intake, intake manifold and DSG clutch pressure |
| ABT Power R | 102 RON | 485 PS | 560 Nm | For the RS 3 performance edition (407 PS); needs 102-octane fuel |
Parts list
- Intake required
Eventuri intake (RS3 8Y)IE carbon intakeAlso at ECS Tuning (affiliate)
Eventuri claims 15–20 hp on a car with the stock turbo.
- Intercooler upgrade required
Wagner EVOX intercoolerIE FDS intercoolerAlso at ECS Tuning (affiliate)APR RS3 intercoolerAlso at ECS Tuning (affiliate)
Every Stage 2 package here includes one; it keeps power up on hot days and repeated pulls.
- Catalysed downpipe Unitronic Stage 2
Unitronic 2.5TFSI EVO downpipeHGP RS3 8Y packagesMilltek large-bore downpipe
Needed for Unitronic's figures, not for APR's. On European cars choose one that keeps the particulate filter.
Stage 3: Upgraded turbo
585–613 hpStage 3 replaces the factory turbo. HGP's TÜV-approved kits claim 585 hp with its turbo and a catalysed downpipe, and 613 hp with an added Wagner intercooler. TTE says its TTE600 has made over 600 PS on 102-octane fuel and 590 on 99 octane. From here a gearbox tune is part of the package.
Typical cost: HGP turbo kits €13,500–€15,500 plus €1,500 fitting; the TTE600 turbo alone €1,791 before VAT.List prices, Sept 2026, before shipping, import tax and fitting.
Turbo kits compared
| Kit | Fuel | Claimed power | Claimed torque | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HGP turbo kit | — | 585 hp | 692 Nm | TÜV-approved, with a catalysed downpipe |
| HGP turbo kit and Wagner intercooler | — | 613 hp | 719 Nm | TÜV-approved |
| TTE600 | 99–102 RON | 590–600+ PS | — | Upgraded turbo that fits the 8Y engine |
Parts list
- Upgraded turbo required
TTE600 turboHGP RS3 8Y turbo stages
Sold with, or tuned for, a file written for that turbo.
- Gearbox (TCU) tune required
Unitronic Stage 1 DSGHGP RS3 8Y packages
More torque needs higher clutch pressure and new gearbox limits.
- Intercooler upgrade required
Wagner EVOX intercooler
TTE notes that the Wagner EVO3 intercooler is only recommended up to about 600 hp.
- Port injection for ethanol E85 builds
Unitronic MPI injector kit
Unitronic's E85 files need its port-injection injector kit.
Stage 4: Built engine
650–800+ hpThe five-cylinder is one of the best-known big-power engines. HGP's top TÜV-approved stage claims 650 hp with steel rods and new pistons, and TTE says its bigger TTE855 turbo has made 750 PS on 102 octane and over 800 PS on E85 with the right hardware. These are community build ranges, not everyday builds.
Parts list
- Steel rods and new pistons required
HGP RS3 8Y packages
HGP's 650 hp stage uses steel rods and machined pistons at 9.2:1 compression.
- Big turbo and fuel system required
TTE855 turboUnitronic MPI injector kit
With port injection or flex-fuel for ethanol.
- Gearbox, rear drive and cooling required
Unitronic DQ501 unlocked TCUWagner engine radiator kit
The dual-clutch gearbox and the Torque Splitter rear drive both take much more load at this power.
Quick answers
- How much horsepower does a stock Audi RS3 8Y have?
- 401 hp from the factory.
- How much hp does a Stage 1 Audi RS3 8Y make?
- Tuners claim 446–561 hp at Stage 1, up from 401 hp stock (Stage 1 options).
- How much hp does a Stage 2 Audi RS3 8Y make?
- Tuners claim 467–565 hp with a Stage 2 file and the parts it needs (parts list).
- How much hp does a Stage 3 Audi RS3 8Y make?
- Tuners claim 585–613 hp at Stage 3: upgraded turbo (Stage 3 parts).
- How much hp does a Stage 4 Audi RS3 8Y make?
- Stage 4 is the top of the ladder for this car: built engine. The biggest builds claim 650–800+ hp. Check which fuel each figure needs: Israel sells 95 and 98 octane only (Stage 4).
- How much does a Stage 1 Audi RS3 8Y cost?
- List prices: APR $1,200 plus a $1,000 unlock; Unitronic's unlock alone $560 (software through dealers); plug-in modules €479–€609 (RaceChip), $679 (JB4) and $1,499–$1,949 (MTM); HGP €5,800 and ABT Power S €6,090 including VAT.
What we'd do
On the 8Y we would stop at Stage 1 with an intercooler. Unitronic's Stage 1 claims 514 hp on 95 and its Stage 1+ 561 hp on 98, from 401 hp stock, while its Stage 2 adds only 4 hp more (565 hp) for an intake, intercooler, plugs and a downpipe. The downpipe is the costly part: on cars with a particulate filter it brings fault codes and approval problems for very little power.
We would pick Unitronic. Three Israeli businesses are on its dealer list, its 95 file is the strongest pump-fuel Stage 1 we found, and it now sells an unlocked gearbox computer with Stage 1 gearbox software that it says reduces clutch slip. APR is the choice if you value a limited powertrain warranty: its ECU comes unlocked, its 91-octane file is covered by APR Plus, and APR says no gearbox tune is needed at its stages, but it claims 446 hp on 95.
Order: confirm which engine computer your car has (the 2025 facelift uses a newer one, MG1CS164), then the unlock and software, then an intercooler, then the gearbox computer. Skip plug-in boxes if a flash file supports your car: one owner measured almost 35 hp from a JB4 with an intercooler and intake, with a poor torque curve. Skip ABT's 102-octane Power R and anything written for E85.
Budget from list prices: APR's Stage 1 is $1,200 plus a $1,000 unlock, so $2,200; Unitronic's unlock is $560 and its software is priced by the dealer. The things that need attention are heat, which the intercooler handles, and the gearbox clutches. Past Stage 2 the rear Torque Splitter takes much more load too.
Tuning it in Israel
- New price in Israel
The importer's price list no. 089, dated 25 October 2026 (audi.co.il): RS3 Sportback TFSI quattro ₪526,100 and RS3 Sedan ₪545,300, both including VAT, plus a ₪5,499 licence fee (₪531,599 and ₪550,799). The RS package adds ₪26,350.
- Parts from abroad
At the Bank of Israel representative rate of 26 October 2026 ($1 = ₪3.078) the plug-in JB4 ($679) is ₪2,090, and with 18% VAT and purchase tax, about 40.66% combined above $75 (our import guide), ₪2,090 × 1.4066 = about ₪2,940. The TTE600 turbo (€1,791 before VAT, €1 = ₪3.4462) is ₪6,172, about ₪8,682 landed. Both before shipping, which is taxed too.
- Fuel
This car has the biggest 95/98 gap in our table: Unitronic claims 514 hp on 95 and 561 hp on 98, 47 hp (9%) more (95 vs 98 after a tune). APR's file claims 446 hp on US 91 (our 95) and 462 hp on US 93 (our 98). Ignore ABT's Power R, which needs 102 octane, and Unitronic's E85 files, which need port injection: neither fuel is sold at Israeli stations.
- Regulation 380 and the test
The Road Safety Authority reads Regulation 380 as covering engine software, so record the tune like any other change (how approval works). Unitronic's 565 hp Stage 2 needs a downpipe, and a pipe that removes the particulate filter is sold for off-road use only. A special exhaust and special wheels are named outright in the Ministry's list, and passing the annual test doesn't make an unapproved change legal. Keep the original parts.
- Where to get it done
Unitronic's dealer list names Max Tuning (Petah Tikva), Speed Doron Shimshi (Shoham) and High Boost Performance (Nazareth). Integrated Engineering's and Milltek's name Top RPM (Holon), and APR's names PIT-STOP (Holon). These are the brands' own lists, checked October 2026; we have no link with any of them.
Prices and rules checked 2026-10-28.
Also useful: tuning shops in Israel, the import tax calculator and the annual test checklist.
What owners ask
- Why does the 8Y's ECU have to be sent away before it can be tuned?
The 8Y's Bosch engine computer is locked against reading and writing through the diagnostic port. When the first European tuners announced files in 2023, owners found they all needed the ECU itself. Talk of cloning a second ECU was shot down because its stored mileage would not match the dashboard. Today Unitronic's Stage 1 needs a mandatory unlock ($559.99): you send in the ECU (about 48 hours), swap it for an unlocked core, buy a replacement ECU, or visit its headquarters.
Sources: audi-sport.net: ECU finally unlocked (2023), Unitronic: 8Y RS3 Stage 1
- Is a JB4 or other plug-in box worth it on the 8Y?
One owner wrote up his results: with a Wagner intercooler, an Eventuri intake and a JB4, the dyno showed almost 35 hp more but a poor torque curve, and he moved to another box. Others in the thread find a box clearly noticeable and say they unplug it before dealer visits. When Unitronic and APR announced flash files, owners noted the catch was cost, starting with the unlock. For power a flash file wins; a box suits you if the car must go back to stock quickly.
Sources: audi-sport.net: Chip tuning experiences, RS3 8Y (2024–2026)
- Can I fit a downpipe without the particulate filter causing trouble?
An 8Y owner fitting a 200-cell Milltek downpipe bought an emulator so the car would not flag the missing filter. Replies warned that owners who tried this have always ended up with an engine light at some point, because the oxygen sensor still sees the change. Unitronic's own downpipe keeps a catalyst it says meets emissions standards. In Israel any exhaust change needs approval, so we would skip it: Unitronic's Stage 2 adds only 4 hp over its Stage 1+ figure.
Sources: audi-sport.net: RS3 8Y OPF and cat delete (2023), Unitronic: downpipe for 2.5 TFSI EVO (8Y)
- Will a tune or a box void the warranty?
8Y owners treat it as a given: one noted that a downpipe plus a box would void the warranty either way, and another unplugs his JB4 before taking the car to Audi. Audi's UK warranty terms exclude damage caused by parts, components or software Audi hasn't authorised, and damage caused by modifications. The Israeli importer's terms may differ, so ask Champion Motors in writing before you tune a car that is still under warranty.
Sources: audi-sport.net: R Performance stage 1, RS3 8Y (2022), audi-sport.net: Chip tuning experiences (2024–2026), Audi UK warranty terms (PDF)
- The dyno sheets I see are on 102 RON. What will I get on pump fuel?
When the first 8Y files appeared, owners noticed the published curve from a German tuner was on 102-octane fuel. That fuel isn't sold at Israeli stations. On pump fuel the claims are lower: Unitronic's Stage 1 is 514 hp on 95 (US 91), and its Stage 1+ is 561 hp on 98. APR claims 446 hp on 95. Ask any tuner for the figure on the fuel you will actually buy.
Sources: audi-sport.net: ECU unlock, RS3 8Y (2023), Unitronic: 8Y RS3 Stage 1
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Questions to ask the shop
- Which engine computer does my car have (MG1CS163 or the facelift's CS164), how will you unlock it, and can I go back to stock?
- Is a gearbox (TCU) tune or unlocked TCU included, and what torque limit and clutch pressure does it set?
- On a European car, does the tune keep the particulate filter, and is the downpipe catalysed and road legal?
- Which fuel is the quoted figure for (95 or 98 RON, race fuel or E85), and is it measured at the crank or the wheels?
- How does the tune treat the Torque Splitter and drift mode at higher torque?
- What warranty or approval paperwork comes with it?
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