Audi RS Q3 Performance ups the ante with 362bhp – costs £49,175

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The Audi RS Q3 Performance arrives ahead of Geneva debut as an even more potent version of the RS Q3, complete with 362bhp. The RS Q3 Performance costs £49,175.

For a relatively compact SUV, the Audi RS Q3 is a proper little rocket, but Audi clearly think it’s not as quick as it might be, so we get this – the 2016 Audi RS Q3 Performance.

Sitting at the top of the Q3 tree, the new RS Q3 Performance gets a very impressive 362bhp from its 2.5 litre, five-cylinder TFSI petrol engine – 27bhp more than the regular RS Q3 – which means 0-62mph in just 4.4 seconds – 0.4s quicker than the regular RS – and on to a top speed of 167mph.

Not only does the Performance model get additional power, it also gets cosmetic tweaks so those who’ve bought the normal RS Q3 can feel just a little miffed when you head towards them.

That means a matt titanium finish to the grille surround, and the same finish extended to other bits like the rear diffuser, roof rails and roof spoiler.

There’s a set of 20″ alloys as standard, red brake callipers so they know your new Q3 means business, the RS Performance design pack, Alcantara and leather sports seats and plenty of goodies like heated seats, Sat Nav, Parking Sensors, power tailgate, privacy glass and Keyless.

Audi’s UK dealers will be taking orders for the new RS Q3 Performance from later this month, with prices starting at £49,175.