.
The (very blue) Audi RS Q3 Concept is revealed
The Audi Q3 is being launched this week in SA, and our intrepid motoring journalist, GG van Rooyen, is on the scene as we speak.
To give you something to drool over until he presents us with his much-anticipated driving impression, here’s another beast from the Q3 line up.
Audi’s international launch of the Q3 last year was a massive campaign. Included in this was a sexy Q3 concept car with a 220kW five cylinder turbocharged engine (you’ll recognise those numbers from the TT RS mill). Now, the concept is official. Its debut is imminent in Beijing at the Auto China show.
Aim
What’s the point of it? Well, the small crossover SUV is certain to be marketed at the small family – so think breakfast-run-with-a-twist. Take the TTRS drive train, a small crossover SUV and performance that matches the RS Audi range – and you get this little gem.
Audi RS Q3 2.5 TFSI
The petrol engine has now been boosted to 265kW, drawn from the 2,5 litre five-cylinder engine (seem familiar? That’s because it’s in the Audi RS3, too). They’re reporting performance figures of 0 – 100km/h in only 5.2 seconds! That’s one nasty little SUV. Top speed, according to Audi, matches the power at 265 km/h. Transmission wise they’re looking at the seven speed S-tronic ‘box with quattro all-wheel drive.
Aesthetically (well, just look at it), it’s all RS. It’s 25mm lower than the standard Q3 and has 20″ alloys with 255/30 tyres fitted. These harbour carbon ceramic discs on the front units and undoubtedly bigger discs than in the Q3 on the rear. The front bumper has bigger (Lamborghini-style) air intakes, a carbon fibre reinforced spoiler and the ever-imposing honeycomb grille. Finishes are done in a very edgy matt black and blue (interior and exterior).
On the inside, it’s reportedly very, very blue. The seats have blue stitching, the dashboard has carbon fibre weaved into it (in blue), the steering wheel – Audi RS-style – has blue inserts.
I want it. Now.
Hold on – the Q3 isn’t even here yet. Well, it is – today. Audi isn’t revealing much in terms of production, but we can’t see why they wouldn’t make it. Mechanically, they’ve got all the right ingredients, ready-made. Internationally, the RS4 Avant will be released soon, and later this year the RS6 is rumoured to be renewed. That puts the RS Q3 somewhere in the 2013-mark, internationally. Locally, we can only dream, for now.