2017 Audi RS Q3 Performance REVIEW – More punch, more pace, more money
AUDI’S CHEAPEST SUV IN RS GUISE - THE RS Q3 - HAS BEEN WORKED OVER, NOW PUMPING OUT A STOVE-HOT 270KW AND MORE DRIVEABILITY INTO THE BARGAIN.
But the power boost, suspension fettling and style upgrade come at a price.
The extra urge in the RS Q3 Performance is definitely noticeable, and it grips like a dog on a rope, but it’s missing that bark that we’ve come to expect from RS models. That said, if you want a sharp-shooting SUV, there’s not much that can touch it.
Vehicle Style: Premium small SUV
Price: $84,216 (plus on-roads), $90,701 (as tested, plus on-roads)
Engine/trans: 270kW/465Nm 2.5-litre turbo petrol 5cyl | 7sp dual-clutch
Fuel Economy claimed: 8.6 l/100km | tested: 12.1 l/100km
OVERVIEW
For a short time, the Audi RS Q3 was the cheapest way to get an RS badged vehicle parked in your driveway (that is until the cheaper RS 3 came along). But then Audi decided that the garden-variety Q3 needed a refresh, and so the Audi Sport wizards took the opportunity to bless it with even more power.
An extra 20kW and 15Nm to be precise, bringing the 0-100kmh time down from 4.8 seconds to 4.4 and lifting the top speed to 270kmh. The price to pay for the extra punch gives the RS Q3 Performance a $2990 premium over the RS Q3, which it now replaces.
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