German carmaker Audi has officially unveiled the 2014 RS Q3, ahead of its debut next month at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.
The first RS Q model demonstrates its special status within the Q3 lineup with a number of visual highlights, such as new bumpers, quattro emblem in the front air intake, revised side skirts and a high-gloss black honeycomb front grille. There's also matte aluminum trim, a large roof spoiler and a rear diffuser with a single oval tailpipe. Other highlights include high-performance brakes with eight-piston calipers, a 25 mm reduced ride height and standard 19- or optional 20-inch alloy wheels.
Inside the cabin, we can see black Alcantara / leather sport seats, a flat-bottomed three-spoke steering wheel and alloy pedals. There's also an RS-specific MMI and driver infotainment system, a revised instrument cluster and aluminum race, piano black or carbon fiber trim. In addition, customers can also order a 14-speaker Bose audio system, GPS navigation and a WLAN hotspot.
Motivation is provided by a turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder petrol engine which produces 310 hp and 420 Nm of torque. Power is sent to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system via a standard seven-speed S tronic dual clutch transmission, allowing the 1,730 kg crossover to sprint from 0-100 km/h in 5.5 seconds and hit an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. In terms of efficiency, it returns a combined figure of 8.8-liter per 100 km (26.7 mpg US or 32.1 mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of 206 g/km.
Set to go on sale this fall, the 2014 Audi RS Q3 has a starting price of €54,600 in Germany.
