Audi RS Q5 wanted in Oz

If you thought the new 260kW Audi SQ5 was a red-hot German slam-wagon, wait until you get a load of the RS Q5.

As part of Audi Sport's commitment to expand the number RS-engineered SUVs, the next cab off the rank will be the RS Q5, which was all but confirmed by Audi chairman, Rupert Stadler back in April.

Audi Sport boss and former Lamborghini head-honcho, Stephan Winkelmann, more recently told motoring.com.au at the Audi RS 5 Coupe launch in France that "we will do more than one" RS Q model and that "…the plan is there to do as many as we can".

Although Audi Australia won't officially confirm the existence of the fire-breathing RS Q5 yet, which will go toe-to-toe with the nimble 324kW Porsche Macan Turbo ($143,500) and thumping 375kW Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S ($164,900), local executives told motoring.com.au it would "absolutely" import the model to Australia if it became available.

"As you know, the RS Q3 at the moment is the only Q model that's an Audi Sport model. So there's definitely more potential there," said Peter Strudwicke, Audi Australia product planning manager.

Almost certain to be powered by the same 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 used by Porsche and the bahn-storming Audi RS 5, which we just tested in Europe, the RS Q5 should be good for 331kW and 600Nm.

Coupled with a hard-core quattro all-wheel drive setup, it could scramble to 100km/h as quickly as 4.0 seconds flat, slightly slower than the RS 5's 3.9 second dash due the extra weight the RS Q5 will carry.

"It's definitely something we're looking at, for sure," said Shaun Cleary, product communications manager at Audi Australia.

"Our track record shows that any performance model, be it S or RS, is popular here. We'd be absolutely really keen to see it, as would our customers."

Currently, the most powerful Audi SUV available in Australia is the Audi SQ7, a 4.0-litre tripe-turbo diesel monster that rips to 100km/h in 4.9 seconds, thanks to 320kW and 900Nm of torque. However, the fastest SUV in its ranks is the compact Audi RS Q3, the 270kW machine accelerating 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds.

But the Audi RS Q5 would smoke them both – and possibly a few rivals if Audi Sport adds a few extra herbs and spices to the recipe.

Upgraded brakes, giant 22-inch alloy wheels with ultra-wide rubber for increased grip and a suitably sporty/luxury cabin fitout are likely upgrades, with more whiz-bang driver aids and go-fast tech toys than you shake a Nurburgring lap record at.

How much can you expect to pay for the RS Q5? We're tipping around $160,000 for the wild wagon, which is a chance to be unveiled at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show in mid-September.