Another one for Geneva is the production Audi RS Q3, the first ever RS SUV from Ingolstadt and the flagship of the Q3 range. It doesn’t look much different from the concept that premiered in Beijing last year. UK order books are set to open in the summer, with first deliveries expected by the end of this year.
Motivation comes from a 2.5 litre five-cylinder TFSI that produces 310 PS between 5,200 and 6,700 rpm and 420 Nm of torque between 1,500 and 5,200 rpm, propelling the 1.73 tonne car to 100 km/h from rest in 5.5 seconds.
Max speed is a limited 250 km/h, and with the help of a stop-start system, fuel economy and CO2 emissions stand at a quoted 8.8 litres per 100 km and 206 grams per km respectively. Transmission is a double-clutch S tronic with seven speeds.
The Audi RS Q3 sits on a sports suspension that’s 25 mm lower and is “tuned to deliver flat cornering without forsaking equally important everyday ride comfort.” 19- or 20-inch wheels are available. There’s also launch control, and an ESC which can be made to intervene less, or deactivated entirely.
Audi drive select is offered as standard, allowing the driver to choose from auto, comfort and dynamic modes. Also standard is permanent quattro – this being an RS car. Electromechanical steering, along with ventilated 365 mm front disc brakes, should make this hot Q3 quite a hoot to drive too.
In terms of aesthetics, the Audi RS Q3 gets a high-gloss black honeycomb grille (with a quattro emblem in the air intake), RS bumpers and a rear diffuser. A roof spoiler, matt aluminium roof rails, special door sill plates and door trim strips also add emphasis.
The interior features RS accents too, including contrasting stitching in rock grey trims. There’s a three-spoke, flat-bottomed multifunction steering wheel, and through the MMI and driver information system, details such as boost pressure, oil temperature and a lap timer can be accessed via an RS menu.
Black headlining is standard (lunar silver optional), and the pedals and foot support are finished in a contrasting bright aluminium. The standard inlays are piano black, but aluminium race or carbon inlays designed by quattro GmbH are also available as alternatives here.
Luggage capacity stands at 356 litres; fold the back seats and you get 1,261 litres. A reversible load liner is standard, and customers with bulkier loads to transport can opt for a towing bracket.
Eight body colours are offered, including an exclusive Sepang Blue pearl effect. Reports say German pricing starts from €54.6k (RM227k), while in the UK it’s expected to go for around £42k (RM201k).
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I personally don’t get the idea of a high performance Q3. I don’t get the point of a fast and high car, a RR Evoque or even a standard Q3 should do the job well enough if you want a sporty, practical and rather small SUV, well being good looking.
Anyways, Sepang Blue…….what has blue got to do with Sepamg, oh well.
Because it’s always raining (more precise, flooding) in Sepang during MotoGP or F1 races. Water = blue. Close enough.
If it’s rain, than it should be dark grey IMO.
there is sepang bronze colour for bmw. it’s speang word too, wthy?
There is something quite hilarious about driving something tall that does things it’s just not supposed to do… at speed. It’s a very different thrill from driving a sports car.
Sepang Blue- Nice color and like you… I don’t get what Sepang has to do with blue.
I see no competitors yet for this segment of high performance compact luxury SUVs. Let see how well it’ll do.
I love when Paultan mention the converted price in every post..It will always make me wanna kick out this Gov.
single oval tailpipe looks awkward, two of them will be more suitable on a RS model.
correct me.. this Q3 seems like getting wider than the current model.
RM227k? well when it reach our shore it will be around RM480k-500k at the cheapest. lol.. well, but i bet thus will ever reach our shore judging by the bad fuel quality we are having now.