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Audi RS Q3 Sportback Spyshots Reveal Baby Lamborghini Urus Look

It's nice to see the RS Q3 getting Audi's full attention, even though we feel this particular model is a bit redundant. You see, besides the regular sporty-looking SUV, the automaker is launching a Sportback coupe-like version this year.
Audi RS Q3 Sportback Spyshots Reveal Baby Lamborghini Urus Look 10 photos
Photo: SB-Medien
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It's a bit different to everything else they've got. The Q8 has a flat roof, whereas this slopes towards the back. Also, most Sportbacks are bespoke models, like the 5-door RS5, which is much longer than the normal coupe. But this looks about the same size.

So basically, all you're getting is a fancy roof, but that piece alone evokes the design of the legendary Lamborghini Urus. We almost said "evoques the design," as Land Rover's small fashion icon is an obvious rival that comes to mind here.

Though nothing is officially known about the RS Q3, the name is on Audi's roadmap as a late 2019 reveal. Not surprisingly, the prototype we have in our sights is wearing what looks like viper green under its camouflage. It's a bold special-order color.

As far as the powertrain is concerned, it's going to be a 2.5-liter TFSI, one of the last cars to get this cool 5-cylinder before the big Audi push to electricity. The lowest output you can expect is 400 PS, though German media is saying as much as 420 HP is to be expected. That's still less than AMG's dynamic new 2-liter, but we're still getting one of the fastest crossovers of all time.

You see, most performance 4x4s you can think of are based on heavy platforms and have large engines with automatic gearboxes. But the RS Q3 will be at least 400kg lighter than something like the X5 M and GLE 63. In combination with the tried and tested 7-speed DSG-type gearbox, the launch of this baby RS model will be ferociously fast.

Unfortunately, due to it not being a particularly green car, the RS Q3 Sportback will be quite expensive. We predict a price of almost €70,000 before adding the options.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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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.
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