Audi's crossover is the latest model to wear the Performance badge. The RS Q3 has a retuned 2.5-liter TFSI motor that has an additional 27hp over the standard mill. This gives it healthy numbers of 367hp and 465Nm, the latter spread between 1,625rpm and 5,500rpm. These figures are enough to propel the RS Q3 to 100kph from a standstill in a sports-car-like 4.4 seconds, and sends it all the way to a top speed of 270kph.
All that power is transmitted to four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission that even performs double declutching when changing gears. More performance driving comes from the sport suspension that lowers the ride height by 20mm compared to the standard Q3. This not only gives the car a meaner stance, but likewise aids in handling.
Apart from sporty driving, the RS Q3 Performance can transfer power selectively to the wheels that need the most traction. It can make you feel like a rally driver, even if you’re behind the tiller of what is essentially a soft-roader.
Naturally, the top-spec Q3 has an exclusive appearance that helps it stand out from the crowd. The usual large air intakes and body effects are enhanced by matte-titanium finished accents on the inlet ducts, the Quattro badge, the side flaps, and even the diffusers. And one can tell the RS Performance models apart by the exclusive 20-inch twin-spoke V-design alloy wheels, and the Ascari Blue paint scheme.
Inside, more RS Performance touches can be seen in stuff like the floor mats with blue contrast stitching, the blue thread that’s sewn into various interior bits, and the cool RS sports steering wheel and gearshift lever.
The Audi RS Q3 Performance is scheduled to be let loose in the second quarter of 2016. It joins the RS6 Avant Performance and RS7 Sportback Performance in this ultra-cool lineup. This is one crossover SUV we sure wouldn’t mind driving every day (and twice on weekends).
