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NEWS
Audi RS Q3 from under $82k
Audi's first RS-enhanced SUV will arrive in Oz cheaper than anticipated... from $81,900Audi has announced a price far cheaper than anticipated for its sizzling RS Q3.
The brand's first ever SUV to sport an RS moniker will arrive in Australian showrooms from $81,990 (plus ORCs), almost $20k cheaper than first anticipated.
The high-riding hot hatch will arrive in February (2014), and will crown the Q3 range. Currently, the Q3 line-up is topped by the 2.0 TFSI (from $56,000 plus ORCs) developing 155kW/300Nm. The RS Q3, powered by the same 2.5-litre turbo-petrol as the TT-RS, develops an impressive 228kW between 5200rpm and 420Nm between 1500rpm and 5200rpm.
Audi says the figures are good enough to propel the RS Q3 to 100km/h in 5.5 seconds, while consuming 8.8L/100km of premium unleaded and emitting 206g/km of CO2. Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h.
The RS Q3 is mated exclusively to a seven-speed S tronic (dual-clutch) transmission delivering power to all four wheels via quattro permanent all-wheel drive. It is stopped by mammoth 18-inch cross-drilled rotors grabbed by RS 5-sourced eight-piston callipers up front and Volkswagen Passat-sourced two-pot callipers at the rear.
Equipment sees the RS Q3 fitted with Xenon Plus headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED tail lamps, 10-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels and Nappa leather-clad sports seats which are electrically adjustable and heated up front.
The three-spoke leather clad steering wheel features a flat bottom, aluminium paddle shifts and controls for the MMI navigation Plus and MMI touch-equipped infotainment system. Bluetooth streaming is offered for telephony and music streaming while an LED interior lighting package complements inlays in Piano Black or no-cost option Matte Aluminium.
Optionally, the RS Q3 will be offered with a Performance Package Audi says will retail from "around $5000". It will extend those features listed above with 20-inch alloy wheels, diamond-patterned fine Nappa sports leather seats, BOSE audio with a digital receiver and carbon fibre trim inlays.
It is also anticipated that Audi will offer the RS Q3 with an Assist Package that includes electronic driver aids such as blind-spot monitoring, collision avoidance and lane-departure technology. Further, two exterior styling packages provide a choice of matte aluminium or high gloss black details in place of the chrome trim fitted as standard.
Audi says that it expects RS Q3 to find 100 new homes annually Down Under and has already had 70 purchase orders signed sight – and price – unseen. This means the RS Q3 will comprise around four per cent of total Q3 sales which, year-to-date, tally 2107 units. This is well ahead of the BMW X1's year-to-date sales of 1218 units and the Range Rover Evoque's 1738.
Currently, the RS Q3 does not have any direct competition, which will give the German manufacturer a massive leg-up in what has to be said is a rapidly growing segment (SUV sales are up 81 per cent on the same time last year).
We should, however, point out that Mercedes-Benz is working on an AMG-enhanced version of its GLA-Class which would erode sales assuming it was sold here. Unfortunately, and like its derivative, the GLA 45 AMG will not be available in right-hand drive guise and as such will not arrive in Australia until the all-new model appears in 2015.
Visit motoring.com.au again soon for our First Drive review of the 2013 Audi RS Q3.
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Written byMatt Brogan
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