With the recent launch of the Porsche Macan and the BMW X4, nobody is really looking towards the Audi model range for a fun SUV any more. We think that's a real shame, especially since the RS Q3 is such an interesting little machine.
At a glance, the baby sports SUV looks half-baked. It's got only one exhaust pipe, which is unusual for an RS model, and its 2.5-liter inline-5 puts down 310 horsepower. That's 30 less than the TT RS with the same engine and 50 hp less than a GLA 45 AMG, which is powered by a smaller 2-liter unit.
Despite this, the RS Q3 is very fast, boasting 0 to 100 km/h times in the region of 5.5 seconds, thanks in no small part to quattro all-wheel drive, launch control and a grabby dual-clutch 7-speed gearbox. The BMW X4 xDrive35i has the exact same acceleration time, yet weighs significantly more (almost 100 kg or 221 lbs), so it's not as nimble on the track.
Prices start at €54,600 in Germany and for that you get a well kitted out machine for €3500 less than the 3-liter BMW model. We're not saying the X4 and RS Q3 are competitors, but the X1 is no performance machine.
The next video was shot during an Audi-organized event in Italy by Youtuber NM2255. A winding piece of tarmac is not the first place where you'd imagine to see the Q3. Of course, this isn't your average Q3, now is it? The RS Q3 leans a bit more than it should into the corners and shows some understeer traits, but not enough to put you off. And once the track fun is over, it will ride much better than most of the sports coupes on the market.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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