Audi Q3 RS Concept Revealed

Audi Q3 RS Concept

The Audi Q3 RS Concept has been revealed ahead of a debut at the Beijing Motor Show. A Q3 with the heart of a TT RS.

We’ve got to assume that the Audi Q3 RS Concept is heading for production sometime soon. After all, it’s hardly the first time Audi has rolled out a Q3 RS recently.

For the Detroit Auto Show in January, Audi rolled out the Q3 Vail Concept with a 312bhp version of the TT RS 2.5 litre complete with winter bits and LEDs in the roof rails.

But now we get the real deal in the Audi Q3 RS, we’re just a little surprised Audi has given it the RS moniker. Back in October Audi Production Manager Rob Morris confirmed the Q3 RS was on the way but also said Audi wouldn’t use the RS badge on the Q3 and instead would make it an engine option in S Line spec. Maybe for the production version, then?

What we get with the Audi Q3 RS is what you’d expect – the 2.5 litre 5-pot from the TT RS with 355bhp going to all four wheels through a seven-speed S Tronic dual clutch ‘box which is enough to make the Q3 RS a proper pocket rocket with a 0-62mph of 5.2 seconds.

Audi has endowed the Q3 RS Concept with the usual RS must-haves with a black honeycomb grill with brushed aluminium surround, darkened headlights, bigger bumper with hungry air vents, 20″ alloys and a ride height that drops by 25mm.

At the back there’s a butch bumper with diffuser and a pair of big elliptical tailpipes and the tail lights have been darkened.

Inside the Q3 RS it’s all black leather apart from blue Alcantara inserts in the seats and door panels and Audi has used plenty of CFRP for the decorative panels and the stalks.

Yes, the Audi Q3 RS Concept is a concept – and as it’s for Beijing it even gets Chinese characters in the rev counter – but it previews an Q3 RS for 2013.

With or without the RS badge.