Audi RS Q3: Official

Audi has revealed their first ever RS SUV in the shape of the RS Q3, a 306bhp compact SUV which will debut at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

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We first got more than a whiff of the Audi RS Q3 when Audi revealed the Q3 Vail Concept at the Detroit Auto Show in 2012, but we didn’t think it would get an RS badge because Audi had said it wouldn’t. But it does.

Arriving for its first public outing at the Geneva Motor Show next month, the RS Q3 (we want to call it the Q3 RS) comes, as expected,  with Audi’s 2.5 litre five-cylinder engine packing 306bhp and 310lb/ft of torque, which is enough to throw the RS Q3 to 62mph in just 5.5 seconds and still manage official economy of 32.1mpg.

Audi has lowered the suspension on the RS Q3 and given it stiffer springs and dampers as well as fitting bigger anti-roll bars. That won’t do anything for the RS Q3’s off-road ability (not that it had much anyway) but will make it sit flatter in the bends.

A set of 19″ wheels come as standard (although you can fit 20″ wheels if you want to feel every ridge in the road) and the usual, nicely understated, Audi RS bit get bolted on such as the honeycomb grill, big front bumper with big air ducts, bigger sills, rear spoiler, chrome tailpipes, rear diffuser and some matt aluminium trim.

Audi RS Q3 Photos >>

Inside is also Audi sporty with RS Q3 logos dotted around, leather sports seats, contrast stitching, Piano Black trim, aluminium pedals, grey faced instruments and a flick between auto, comfort and dynamic modes on the adaptive dynamics will not just change the characteristic of the drive, but the exhaust note too.

The new Audi RS Q3 will debut in Geneva next month and go on sale in the UK in the summer.