Curtain up for the new Audi RS Q3 Sportback in the Middle East. The legendary and multi-award-winning 2.5-litre TFSI engine is the core of the high-performance SUV coupé. In combination with the Quattro permanent all-wheel drive, it offers pure driving pleasure. The sport compact coupé offers outstanding performance, athletic design and maximum everyday usability. The RSQ3 Sportback is now available in Audi dealerships in the Middle East.
“We are very excited to welcome the new RSQ3 Sportback to our market. This progressive SUV coupe crossover is a true trendsetter, and we are confident that it will win many hearts with its performance capabilities, striking design and price point”, said Carsten Bender, Managing Director of Audi Middle East.
Athletic: The Exterior
The new Audi RS Q3 Sportback is synonymous with strength and outstanding performance. Virtues that are also reflected in the design where it illustrates its unique character through many details. The gloss black Singleframe with its three-dimensional honeycomb structure makes the high-performance compact coupé car look even sharper. Its position is lower than the Q3 Sportback, and it is inserted directly into the RS-specific bumper with large lateral air inlets. The RS genes are also apparent in the flat slits above the Singleframe radiator grille.
The rear design also appears very powerful. With the low rear window and the roof edge spoiler in gloss black with the RS-specific spoiler lip, the RS Q3 Sportback appears even wider and more dynamic. The low-slung roofline culminates in strong, flat sloping D-pillars. The new generation of the RS Q3 Sportback comes for the first time with a dual-branch RS exhaust system with large oval tailpipes on both sides. This exhaust system sits in an RS-specific bumper with rear diffuser and horizontal blades.
The compact high-performance SUV Coupé is fitted with LED headlights as standard. Audi offers matrix LED headlights with RS-specific darkened bezels as an option.
Outstanding: The Drive
The new RS Q3 Sportback is fitted with the powerful multi-award-winning five-cylinder 2.5 TFSI. It now draws just over 17 per cent more power from 2,480 cc of displacement with 294 kW (400 PS). Its maximum torque of 480 Nm (354.0 lb-ft) is available between 1,950 and 5,850 rpm. The RS Q3 Sportback sprints from zero to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in just 4.5 seconds. The top speed is regulated at 250 km/h (155.3 mph) or an optional 280 km/h (174.0 mph).
The particular firing sequence of 1-2-4-5-3 and the odd number of cylinders make for an exceptional rhythm and unique engine sound. The dual-branch RS exhaust system emphasizes the five-cylinder engine's characteristic sound, and the optional RS sport exhaust system makes it even sharper. The five-cylinder engine has won the sought-after “International Engine of the Year Award” nine times in a row.
As standard, the five-cylinder engine's power is transmitted via a seven-speed S Tronic to the Quattro permanent all-wheel drive. The wheel-selective torque control perfects safe and agile handling.
Consistently Sporty: The Suspension
The consistently sporty suspension tuning is a basic requirement for the outstanding driving characteristics of the RS Q3 Sportback. The standard RS sport suspension lowers the body by 10 millimetres (0.4 in) than the Q3 family. Upon request, the RS sport suspension is available with Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC), whose sensors measure the sprung mass vibrations of the body and counteract rolling motions of the body when driving through curves at high speed and during load changes. The RS-tuned dampers are then adjusted accordingly to the road surface conditions and driving situation.
The dynamic handling system Audi drive select influences the suspension and the Quattro drive, the steering, the S Tronic, the engine characteristics, and the sound, for example. Depending on the selected equipment, there is a choice of five or six drive modes: comfort, auto, dynamic, efficiency, and individual or, as an alternative to the individual mode, the two new RS-specific modes RS1 and RS2. Via the MMI touch display, the driver can adjust and save the two RS modes individually. Simply pressing the new “RS MODE” steering wheel button provides rapid access to the two new RS modes and the last drive mode selected and allows the driver to switch between modes. This allows the customer to adjust their RS model in an even more individual way and switch quickly between a dedicated sporty drive mode and a comfort-focused profile.
The RS-tuned progressive steering also conveys close contact with the road even on fast curves. Behind the standard 20-inch or optional 21-inch wheels, the all-new six-piston RS steel brake system works with ventilated and perforated disks measuring 375 millimetres (14.8 in) (front) and 310 millimetres (12.2 in) (rear, not perforated). Their brake callipers are painted black as standard and are available in red as an option. The brake callipers of the optional all-new RS ceramic brake that measures 380 millimetres (15.0 in) (front, ceramic) and 310 millimetres (12.2 in) (rear, steel) are designed in either grey, red, or blue.
Driver-Oriented: The Interior
The athletic exterior design of the RS Q3 Sportback is continued in the spacious interior. The entire cockpit is very much designed with the driver in mind – the air-conditioning control unit, the centre console, and the MMI touch display are tilted toward the driver by ten degrees. The RS sport leather steering wheel, flattened at the bottom and including newly designed shift paddles, comes with the new “RS MODE” steering wheel button that allows the driver to control two optional RS modes in the Audi drive select dynamic handling system. The RS-specific displays open automatically in the Audi virtual cockpit plus, which comes as an option. Sport seats upholstered with black leather/Alcantara with an RS embossing are fitted as standard. An even sportier variant is available in the RS sport seats in fine Nappa leather with an RS-specific honeycomb pattern and integrated head restraints.
RS design packages in red or blue provide colour highlights in the interior. The standard ambient lighting package and the multi-colour contour/ambient lighting package illuminate the RS Q3 Sportback interior when it is dark.
The instrument panel's architecture with the MMI touch display and the Audi virtual cockpit in the RS design harmonizes perfectly with the new operating concept. MMI navigation plus, the top-of-the-line system in the infotainment program, offers the same variety of functions as in the large Audi models.
Great Everyday Usability: The Space Concept
A driving experience and performance values typical for a sports car combined with all the comfort-related advantages of a compact SUV, made possible by the RS Q3 Sportback: The compact powerhouse is designed as full-fledged five-seater, and while being extremely sporty, it also offers great everyday usability thanks to its high level of variability and the large interior. As standard, the rear bench can be moved longitudinally by 130 millimetres in the RS Q3 Sportback, and the inclination of its divided backrest can be adjusted in seven stages. Thus, the luggage compartment holds 530 litres; with the backrests folded down the figure rises to 1,400 litres.
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