Here comes the vitamin version of the Audi Q3, the RS Q3 Concept! And tell me if this name doesn't make your mouth water…?
Audi is preparing to take this new sports prototype based on the Audi Q3 to Beijing, just as it did at the Detroit Motor Show with the Audi Q3 Vail. Unlike the Vail, this RS doesn't come for big offroad adventures, it's clearly an animal to run on asphalt. The German brand seems to be keen to follow the path of Mercedes and BMW, making sporty versions of its SUV models available to the market. This is the case with the BMW X6 M or the Mercedes ML 63 AMG. A strategy that we welcome. And you too…
The example that will be under the camera flashes at the Chinese event holds a “weak” 2.5 TFSi of 365 hp (the same as the Audi TT-RS). The heart of the RS Q3 Concept will allow a race from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 265 km/h, enough to get from Porto to the Algarve in just over 2 hours.
But it's not just the engine that gives rise to these numbers, without the aerodynamic details this Concept wouldn't fly so high. The bodywork was lowered by 25 mm and has a fuller and wider appearance, making it possible to obtain a more aggressive look and provide greater emotions for the driver. Traction is permanent quattro and the 360 hp gallops onto the road via a 7-speed S tronic automatic transmission.
At first glance you can see that the bumpers have been redesigned and have bigger, much bigger air intakes! But the aesthetic novelties do not end there, a closer look we see that the headlights were slightly darkened, the dual exhausts are new and the wheels are 20 inches. I repeat, 20 inches!!!
For the interior, the chrome accents contrast with the black and blue exterior. The initials RS can be seen on the instrument panel, seatbacks, door sills or floor mats. The cabin also has a specific steering wheel, sports bacquets and a leather gearbox handle.
Let's wait for the Beijing Motor Show, which runs from the 23rd of April to the 2nd of May, to find out more about this German Hercules. Until then, stay connected to Ledger Automobile!
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Text: Tiago Luís