Audi will showcase their latest creation, a performance version of the Q3 compact SUV, at the 2013 Geneva International Motor Show, early next month. This is called the Audi RS Q3 and will be powered by a detuned 2.5-litre 5-cylinder petrol engine, which is currently used in the TT RS and the RS3. This engine produces 306 HP of power and an amazing 420 Nm of torque. The car uses the 7-speed S tronic dual clutch transmission and powers all four wheels via Audi’s Quattro four wheel drive system. The Audi RS Q3 will go on sale later this year in Europe and will be priced around Rs. 40 lakhs in Germany.
The Audi RS Q3 has many exterior and interior changes to differentiate it from the regular Q3. At the front, the RS Q3 gets a special RS front bumper and a high gloss black honeycomb front grille. The roof rails and many body trims are finished in matte aluminium and at the rear it gets a rear diffuser, a single oval exhaust pipe and a roof spoiler. The RS Q3 gets special design 19-inch alloy wheels with an option of 20-inch wheels as well.
The interior gets many special aluminium trims and parts, a flat-bottomed steering wheel and a sportier instrument cluster with grey gauges, white scales and red pointers. The Audi RS Q3 gets special sports seats that are finished in leather and Alcantara with optional diamond stitching.
As far as performance goes, the Audi RS Q3 will do 0 to 100 km/hr in 5.5 seconds and top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/hr. Audi has lowered the car by 25 mm and stiffened the suspension to improve handling. For better weight distribution, the battery has been placed in the boot and the brakes have been updated to bigger and better ventilated discs with 8-piston calipers. The Audi RS Q3 gets electronic stability control (ESC) with a sport mode and an option to completely switch it off. Audi say that the RS Q3 will deliver a fuel efficiency of about 11.3 km/l.
