Audi has revealed the first RS model in the Q series — the feisty RS Q3 — and we’re already fighting over who will get to drive this pocket rocket first. Admittedly, some of you might not agree with a hopped-up SUV — they’re for loading groceries and ferrying the kids to school, right? Wrong. That’s what they’re supposed to do, but imagine you could do all of that quicker and have more time to spend at the salon or the coffee shop?
Packing a 2.5-litre TFSI turbocharged five-pot motor (the same unit under the TT RS’s bonnet) that produces a thumping 310bhp at 6,700rpm and 420Nm of torque at 5,200rpm, and with the grunt being sent to all four corners thanks to the all-wheel drive quattro, this wild Q3 promises to deliver driving thrills for soccer moms and school-run dads all over the world.
It’ll hit 100kph from standstill in about 5.5 seconds, top out at 250kph (electronically governed), while the throaty growl of the five-pot can be made even shoutier by flicking a switch that opens up a flap in the tubing. It’ll be ideal for all weathers too, says the press bumf, and we’re not about to argue otherwise, especially since that quattro, driven by a seven-speed S tronic, gets an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch on the rear axle.
It’ll be able to distribute the torque between the front and rear if and when it detects slipping to ensure optimum power management on any surface. This is part of a chassis package that includes a sports suspension that is 25mm lower than the standard Q3; but that doesn’t mean you can go corner carving in one of these.
The springs will regardless get a serious workout though; the RS Q3 tips the scales at a hefty 1,730kg. It’s good to know that stopping power comes from massive 365mm discs with eight-piston callipers painted black with RS logos. On the looks front, it’s a bit of an eye-catcher. We love the RS-specific body styling, which includes 19- and 20in alloys in an exclusive five dual-spoke V design, RS bumpers, a black honeycomb front grille, the quattro badge on the front air intake, a rear diffuser and fat exhaust tips.
The roof spoiler seems a bit of an overkill, but the special sill plates and roof rails finished off in a natty matte aluminium are a pass. As with any Audi the interior is sublime. You get sport seats with embossed RS Q3 logos upholstered in black Alcantara/leather, an RS instrument cluster, multi-function flat-bottom steering, aluminium pedals, piano black finish and, if you really, really want to, you can spec lots of carbon-fibre trim.
There’s plenty of kit too, including the hard-drive-based MMI Navigation plus, a Bose surround sound system with 14 loudspeakers, Bluetooth car phone and WLAN hotspot internet connectivity. It’s practical too, with a 365-litre boot. Drop the rear seats and you get a massive 1,261-litres to swallow all that flat-pack furniture.
It apparently won’t suck the pumps dry either, with a claimed average fuel consumption of just 8.8 litres-per-100km — aided by a stop-start system making its debut in a five-pot Audi. The RS Q3 will make its world premiere at the Geneva motor show next week.
