The second generation Audi Q3 has got the RS treatment for both the normal body style and its Sportback sibling. Both the RS Q3 and the RS Q3 Sportback will be available in Germany and other European countries later this year, priced at €63,500 and €65,000, respectively.
Both cars adopt the new RS design language that we saw in the new RS 6 Avant. Design highlights include gloss black grille with 3D honeycomb structure, and large air intakes with boomerang-shaped blades in the bumper. With a height of 1,557 mm, the RS Q3 Sportback is 45 mm shorter than the RS Q3. Both cars get muscular wheel arches, which have been flared by 10 mm.
RS Q3 Sportback
The rear-end is equally stunning. With the roof edge spoiler and RS-specific spoiler lip in gloss black, the RS Q3 Sportback appears even wider than its sibling. Both cars get an RS-specific bumper with rear diffuser and horizontal blades in gloss black. The blades are available in matt aluminum as an option. For the first time, the RS Q3 models get dual-branch RS exhaust system with large oval tailpipes on both sides.
Both performance SUVs come standard with LED headlights, while the Matrix LED headlights with dynamic indicators and RS-specific darkened trims are available as an option. The taillights also feature LED technology.
As standard, the cars get 20-inch wheels, while the buyers can upgrade to 21-inch ones. The six-piston RS steel brake system’s discs measure 375 mm (14.8 in) at the front and 310 mm at the rear. The calipers are painted black as standard and are available in red as an option. Buyers can go for RS ceramic brakes with calipers in gray, red or blue. The front discs here measure 380 mm (15.0 in).
Eight exterior colors are available for the new RS Q3 and RS Q3 Sportback, including the RS-specific colors Kyalami green and Nardo gray. Customized paint finishes are available from Audi exclusive. The standard gloss black styling package adds highlights to the blades in front and rear bumper, window slot trims, roof rails (RS Q3 only), and on the side sill inserts. Options list also includes RS sport exhaust system with black tailpipe trims.
RS Q3 Sportback
The standard RS sport suspension lowers the body by 10 mm (0.4 in) compared with the Q3 and Q3 Sportback. The RS sport suspension plus with Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) is available as an option on both the RS Q3 and RS Q3 Sportback. Here, an electrically actuated valve regulates the flow of oil into the damper pistons. The Audi drive select dynamic handling system also influences the RS sport suspension plus with damper control, in which the sensors measure movements of the vehicle body. The RS-tuned dampers are then adjusted accordingly to the road surface conditions and driving situation.
RS Q3 Sportback
Interiors get Sport seats in black leather/Alcantara with RS embossing. The RS sport seats in fine Nappa leather with RS-specific honeycomb pattern and integrated head restraints are available as an option. With the extended RS design packages, the panels and door armrests are trimmed in red or blue Alcantara. Inlays in Aluminum Race, anthracite, optionally in piano finish, black, or carbon, round off the sporty looks. For the first time, the interior can also be finished entirely in black.
The rear seats can be moved fore-aft as standard by 150 mm (5.9 in) in the RS Q3 or 130 mm (5.1 in) in the RS Q3 Sportback; their 3-way split backrests can be tilted in 7 stages. The luggage compartment holds 530 liters (18.7 cu ft), with the backrests folded down the figure rises to 1,525 liters (53.9 cu ft) (Sportback: 1,400 liters [49.4 cu ft]).
Other features include RS sport leather steering wheel, Audi virtual cockpit, and MMI touch display. Buyers can go for a larger Audi virtual cockpit plus with shift light display that prompts the driver to upshift when the maximum engine speed is reached. Special RS displays in the Audi virtual cockpit plus also provide information on tire pressure, torque, power output, lap times, g-forces and acceleration measurements.
The two new RS modes RS1 and RS2 are present here too. Via the MMI, the driver can adjust and save the two RS modes individually. The steering wheel also gets the RS Mode button for a quick access to those two modes.
Moving on to the business end of the story, the new RS Q3 models are powered by a 2.5-litre (2,480 cc) 5-cylinder TFSI engine, producing 294 kW (400 hp) and 480 Nm (354.0 lb-ft) of torque between 1,950 and 5,850 rpm. Audi says that the 2.5 TFSI engine is 26 kg (57.3 lb) lighter than the previous model. Its crankcase is made of aluminum, which alone saves 18 kg (39.7 lb).
The RS Q3 and RS Q3 Sportback are claimed to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in just 4.5 seconds. The top speed, however, is limited to 250 km/h (155.3 mph) or an optional 280 km/h (174.0 mph).
A 7-speed S tronic transmission sends power to all four wheels via quattro permanent AWD system that distributes the power as needed between the axles.
Recommended for you
Leave a Reply
Note: Comments that are unrelated to the post above get automatically filtered into the trash bin.
