2020 Audi RS Q3 Sounds Muted Thanks to OPF, Noise Laws

It seems that the new regulations in Europe are really screwing with Audi's engineering department because some iconic models are taking a hit. One good example of this is the 2.5 TFSI that's been fitted to the 2020 RS Q3 and RS Q3 Sportback.

There's no question that these are interesting cars, the Sportback especially so, since it's got that bay Urus look to it. But while the 400 horsepower, 480 Nm output represents a gain over the older model, but not the TT RS or the RS3.

But the biggest problem, we think, is not the performance but the sound. The 2.5 TFSI is like the whole point of buying an expensive small Audi like this. This independent video (as in not the official Audi ones) highlights two problems.

First, it's muted. A 2018 RS3 makes pops and bangs while having a much more raspy voice as well. The problem here is probably the OPF (also called GPF), an emissions after-treatment technology developed to reduce particulates on gasoline engines.

"How doesn't this affect Mercedes-AMG?" It does. While it's true that big AMG models sound good, that's not the case with the new A45 and CLA 45, which also suffer due to OPFs. Problem No.2 seems to be how loud the car has been allowed to be.

The European lawmakers have messed with that too. You hear that clicking sound? That's the butterfly valves going on and off, which means Aud couldn't leave them open in any drive mode. Whenever the taps are free, the RS Q3 sounds pretty decent. And, of course, many owners will opt to have aftermarket exhausts fitted or even boost turbo pressure to extra more performance.

Right now, the models are rated at 0 to 100 km/h in 4.5 seconds, but with a soft tune, the RS Q3 could be as fast as almost any SUV.