SUVs have become popular with performance car fans, and they come in all shapes and sizes. At one end of the market we have the Lamborghini Urus, while at the other, small crossovers with about 200 HP reside. Somewhere in between, Audi plans to drop a new generation of the RS Q3.
It's no longer going to be the smallest Audi performance 4x4 since that title now belongs to the SQ2, a 300 horsepower compact toy that uses similar tech to the Cupra Ateca from SEAT. The RS Q3 will share its MQB platform with a variety of other VW Group models, such as the diesel-powered Skoda Kodiaq RS, but its hardware will be altogether more competent.
We've seen how despite being based on a crossover, the old RS Q3 could play with the Porsche Macan S. Of course, this is due to the mental output of the 2.5-liter turbo engine with which Audi has been making steady progress.
About six years ago, the RS pocket SUV started with 310 PS, an output criticized by many. Audi soon upped it to 340 HP, then 367 HP based on the new aluminum construction developed for the RS hatch.
But now Auto Bild magazine claims the 2020 or 2021 model will have 420 PS, 20 more than the current version of the 2.5 TFSI. It doesn't sound like a big deal, but it is, considering new emissions regulations are forcing a GPF (gasoline particulate filter) onto the vehicle.
Being significantly longer and wider than before, the RS will have better proportions, as seen in our recent spyshots. Lowered suspension, larger air intakes, and super-sized alloy wheels should give it almost as much appeal as the big boys (we're thinking of the RS Q8). Of course, if you want a truly good-looking machine, you'll have to pay Audi for extras like carbon accents and Audi Sport exhaust.
Performance won't be too shabby either, with a 0 to 100 km/h time of around 4 seconds, comparable to the 600+ horsepower heavyweights like the X5 M and GLE 63.
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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