Audi RS Q3 Performance
It was only a matter of time before the audi RS Q3 received the full performance potential of the same 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo engine in the RS 3 and it was no great surprise when audi recently announced the RS Q3 performance to slot into the UK range above the ‘standard’ RS Q3. although the RS Q3 was originally shown as a concept at auto China in april 2012, featuring the 2.5-litre turbocharged fivecylinder engine tuned to deliver 360 PS, it was clearly well ahead of its time. The production version which made its debut at the Geneva Show in 2013 came with the engine detuned to 310 PS / 420 Nm compared with that in the contemporary tt RS and RS 3 Sportback, both of which then had 340 PS / 450 Nm. When the revised ‘MQB’ RS 3 was introduced in late 2014 with 367 PS / 465 Nm the RS Q3 was elevated to the RS 3’s previous 340 PS / 450 Nm, but now the RS Q3 performance comes with its power output increased to the same 367 PS as the RS 3. With peak torque of 465 Nm (343 lb.ft.), available between 1625 and 5550 rpm, the RS Q3 performance can now break through the 62 mph barrier from rest in just 4.4 seconds, compared with 4.8 seconds for the standard RS Q3, and in can reach a top speed of 167 mph where the standard RS Q3 is electronically limited to 155 mph. Despite the extra performance, the combined fuel consumption test figure is a creditable 32.8 mpg, corresponding to Co2 emissions of 203 g/km. to cope with the extra power output, the cooling capacity of the main radiator has been increased and the fuel pump has been modified for increased fuel flow and pressure. The RS Q3 performance also utilises the 7-speed S tronic transmission, which is adjusted to suit the engine’s performance characteristics for extremely rapid automatic shifts or so that the driver can change gears manually using the shift paddles on the standard RS multifunction steering wheel. When the audi Drive Select system – a standard feature – is in its dynamic mode each gear change is accompanied by a distinctive double-declutching ‘blip’ from the exhaust system.
As with the standard RS Q3, the necessary traction is provided by the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system with Haldex-type coupling which incorporates an electronically-controlled hydraulically actuated multi-plate clutch, with the torque transferred automatically between the front and rear axles as required. Power can even be distributed selectively to each individual wheel thanks to the networked Electronic Stabilisation Control
(ESC) system, which features a further enhanced Sport mode affording even greater adjustability. Complementing the quattro drive system is the RS sport suspension package that reduces the ride height by 20 mm compared with the standard Q3, to provide sharp and rewarding handling. also available as an option is the RS sport suspension plus, with damping control which can adjust the dynamic parameters between Comfort, auto and Dynamic settings, using the audi Drive Select dynamic handling system. along with the typical RS design details which include the purposefully styled bumpers with large air inlets up front, the heavily profiled diffuser at the rear and the gloss black honeycomb grilles, the RS Q3 performance is distinguished from the ‘standard’ RS Q3 by the additional matt titanium-look detailing applied to the frame of the air inlet duct, the single-frame grille, the lateral flaps in the air inlets, the trim strips at the side windows, the exterior mirror housings, the roof rails, the upper edge of the diffuser and the fins of the roof edge spoiler. a new paint finish, ascari blue metallic, is also exclusively available as an option for the RS Q3 performance. RS-specific 8.5 x 20-inch diameter ‘performance exclusive’ twin-spoke-V design alloy wheels with a matt titanium finish are standard, fitted with 255/35 R20 ultra high- performance tyres. The red brake callipers bearing the RS logo that are clearly visible behind the open-spoked wheels are also available finished in black, at no extra charge. Inside, the RS Q3 performance comes with instrument dials featuring grey faces, white dials and red needles, while sports seats finished in alcantara and leather with honeycomb stitching in blue are standard for UK models. The blue accents are also applied to elements such as the RS sport leather-trimmed steering wheel, the gearshift gaiter, the centre armrest and the floor mats.
Inlays in carbon twill blue, with a blue thread woven into the carbon material, continue the theme into the dashboard and door mouldings. Standard equipment includes all-lED headlights with lED daytime running lights and tail lights, privacy glass, powered tailgate operation and the audi advanced key system which affords keyless entry and starting. Inside, the RS Q3 performance also features front seat heating, the audi Music Interface channeled through the 180-watt audi Sound System, satellite navigation and front and rear parking sensors. The RS Q3 performance is now open for UK orders, priced from £49,175 otR compared with £45,810 for the standard RS Q3.