The new Audi RS Q3, RS Q3 Sportback

The new Audi RS Q3, RS Q3 SportbackAvailable for retail in South Africa The high-performance SUVs come standard with Matrix LED headlights with dynamic indicators and RS-specific darkened trims. Audi presents the new edition of the RS Q3 and an all-new derivative with the RS Q3 Sportback, now extending the compact SUV product range with two performance models.

The two sport compacts offer outstanding performance, athletic design and maximum everyday usability. The first Audi RS Q3 established its own distinct position in the performance market and with the new generation and additional model, Audi aims to continue this success story in the compact high-performance SUV segment of the market.

With the offering of the all-new Audi RS Q3 Sportback, a progressive SUV coupé crossover, Audi envisions to set a trend and leverage the full potential of the latest performance vehicle range. Both models are now currently available for retail in South Africa.

The Audi RS Q3 and Audi RS Q3 Sportback are synonymous with strength and outstanding performance. Virtues that are also reflected in the design. The single frame with no colour-contrasting surround in the compact SUV creates an even sharper impression.

The gloss black grill with three-dimensional honeycomb structure is inset deeper and directly into the RS bumper with its large side air inlets. The striking boomerang-shaped blades in the bumper are designed exclusively for the RS Q3. The RS genes are also apparent in the flat slits above the single frame radiator grille.

With its downward sloping coupé-like roof line, the RS Q3 Sportback is with a height of 1 557 millimetres, 45 millimetres lower than the RS Q3. The rising shoulder line on the Sportback is set farther down than on the sister model, lowering the body’s optical centre of gravity. As such, the body appears even more muscular and the wheels larger. Both high-performance sports cars underscore their performance aspiration with pronounced muscles over the wheel arches, which have been flared by 10 millimetres.

Performance

The rear design also appears very powerful. With the low rear window and the roof edge spoiler with RS-specific spoiler lip in body colour, the RS Q3 Sportback appears even wider than its sister model. The low-slung roof line culminates in strong, flat sloping D-pillars.

The RS-specific long roof edge spoiler in the RS Q3 emphasises the pronounced forward thrust of the high-performance SUV and ensures improved downforce. The new generation of the RS Q3 comes for the first time with a standard, dual-branch RS sports exhaust system with large oval tailpipes on both sides. This exhaust system sits in an RS-specific bumper with rear diffuser.

The high-performance SUVs come standard with Matrix LED headlights with dynamic indicators and RS-specific darkened trims. The rear lights also feature LED technology.

Within the Audi Q3 family, the RS Q3 and RS Q3 Sportback are the sporty flagships. The performance figures for the compact engines are compelling: five-cylinder, 294 kW power output, 480 Nm of torque, quattro all-wheel drive. The five-cylinder engine is a modern classic. Last year, Audi received the sought-after “International Engine of the Year Award” for the 2.5 TFSI engine for the ninth consecutive time.

The multi-award-winning five-cylinder engine gains a good 17 percent increase in power at an unchanged displacement of 2 480 cc. The engine’s maximum torque is available over the very broad rev range between 1,950 and 5,850 rpm. The RS Q3 and RS Q3 Sportback sprint from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds. The top speed is regulated at 250 km/h or an optional 280 km/h at an additional cost.

Engine

At less than 50 centimetre’s in length, the 2.5 TFSI engine is extremely compact and is 26 kg lighter than the previous model. Its crankcase is made of aluminium, which alone saves 18 kg.

Elaborate measures reduce internal friction while at the same time increasing power output. The cylinder liners are plasma-coated; the crankshaft main bearings are six millimetres smaller in diameter.

The crankshaft is hollow bored and is therefore 1 kg lighter, while the aluminium pistons have integrated channels for oil cooling. In the short warm-up phase after a cold start, the switchable water pump does not circulate the coolant in the cylinder head – the 2.5 TFSI engine thus reaches its operating temperature more quickly. This lowers the coefficient of friction and reduces fuel the power from the five-cylinder engine flows via a seven-speed S tronic to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive that distributes the power as needed between the axles via a multi-plate clutch. The wheel-selective torque control perfects the safe and agile handling.

The Audi drive select dynamic handling system influences the quattro drive and other components such as steering, suspension, S tronic, engine characteristic and sound. Depending on the selected equipment variant, there is a choice of five or six modes: comfort, auto, dynamic, efficiency and individual or, as an alternative to the individual mode, the two new RS modes RS1 and RS2. - MotorPress