Audi Testing RS Q3 at Nurburgring Again: Record Attempt or New Engine?

One possibility is that Audi needs to work on the powertrain again because of commotion with Mercedes. The GLA 45 AMG is already receiving most of the praise from the industry and will likely get a 20 PS boost after the A45.

As you all know, the 2.5 TFSI used by this sports crossover develops 340 PS, which is delivered through the same 7-speed twin-clutch gearbox as the RS3. While there's little turbo lag, there's a lot that needs to be done in terms of fuel efficiency, especially with the Euro 6 regulations coming up.

The fuel consumption of the RS Q3 is almost as high as the Porsche Macan Turbo, which packs a massive 3.6-liter V6 (massive by comparison, that is).

The Q3 has been selling well in America, so the Germans might be trying to figure out how to export their GLA 45 AMG rival. However, nobody has seen one of these blue quattro rockets in the States.

The final option is that Audi has already begun work on components for the next Q3, scheduled to arrive two years from now. But why do that with the RS model? Maybe the need to decide if the electric turbocharger is the way to go.

Either way, it's funny how much money the Germans are dumping into fast crossovers. Meanwhile, many conventional sportscars are being killed off. The future of the VW Scirocco, for example, looks a bit uncertain.

It may also be possible that Audi wants to prove it had the best sports SUV all along by setting a new Nurburgring lap record. That would explain why all the more expensive trim pieces are on the car – so it would look good on the day of its victory.