Audi RS Q3 pumps up tempo

The flagship of Audi's Q3 compact SUV range has been hitting the gym over the past year, and now launches with a new name and more power this month.

Powered by the RS-only turbo-petrol five-cylinder engine generating 270kW and 465Nm (increases of 20kW and 15Nm), the RS Q3 'performance' costs $84,216 -- $2316 up on the 2015 RS Q3.

The extra cash outlay gets you more mumbo via a tweaked ECU, upgraded radiator and fuel pump, which in turn helps deliver a faster 0-100km/h sprint of 4.4 seconds (previously 4.8). Audi says this makes the high-riding hot hatch quicker than the first-generation Audi R8 supercar!

Standard features include electrically adjustable and heated Nappa leather front sports seats, digital radio and LED headlights with 'dynamic' rear indicators.

Top speed is 270km/h, and the 2.5-litre engine's fuel economy is rated at 8.8L/100km, which is more than acceptable for a vehicle that can shame sports cars.

Mechanical features include a seven-speed dual-clutch (automatic) transmission, a front-biased quattro AWD system that can shunt up to 100 per cent torque to the rear axle when needed, massive 365mm front disc brakes with eight-piston calipers and large 20-inch alloy wheels shod with 255/35 R20 width Continental tyres.

Keyless entry and engine start, automatic dual-zone climate-control, a powered push-button tailgate, anti-dazzle self-dimming mirrors, a reversing camera with sensors plus a 7.0-inch infotainment display with sat-nav and a 20GB hard drive round out the standard features list.

Audi Australia managing director Andrew Doyle says the RS Q3 "has proven itself a resounding success in the three short years it has been on sale in Australia."

Since it arrived in Australia the company has sold roughly 100 RS Q3s per year. Regular Q3 models sell around 3000 per year, but Audi believes the car's place in the range is warranted.

"We had originally anticipated delivering around 100 cars to customers in the first year, but since February 2014 we have seen over 360 of these extraordinary SUVs find homes with highly enthusiastic owners."

As the photos show, the RS Q3 has a more aggressive exterior design than regular Q3 models, features deeper, lower front and rear bumpers and side skirts. It sits 20mm lower than its stablemates, has a trademark RS oval exhaust outlet (the only model in the range to have a single pipe) and special matte titanium accents.

Inside the sporty stuff extends to stainless steel pedals, a flat-bottom RS steering wheel with white stitching everywhere.

Based on the same platform as the outgoing Volkswagen Tiguan, the RS Q3 has a modicum of practicality, the boot swallowing 356 litres, extending to 1261 litres with the rear seats folded down. That's enough for a mountain bike, claims the company.

Measuring 4411mm long, the RS Q3 is slightly longer than the Audi RS 3 (4343mm). The latter is also more affordable at $78,616.

But until BMW offers an M-tuned version of its X1 or upcoming X2 the only real threat for the hard-charging RS Q3 is the similarly priced Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 ($84,315), which generates 280kW and 475Nm – a shade more muscle than the Audi.

Eight exterior colour options can be had with the RS Q3, including the signature Ascari Blue, and Audi reckons the gender split for this RS model is 50:50 (most other RS models are skewed towards men).

Some of the options include adaptive dampers ($2490), a panoramic glass roof ($2795), metallic/pearl paint ($1495) and there's several 'packs' that bundle numerous options.

Audi says the RS Performance Package ($4490) is by far the most popular, adding extra-fancy sports seats with diamond stitching, a BOSE surround-sound stereo, different 20-inch alloy wheels and red brake callipers.