BEIJING MOTOR SHOW: Fab five for Audi's RS Q3 concept
High performance design study based on Audi's tiny SUV boasts five-cylinder gruntThe RS Q3 is expected to steal the show — or at least all the limelight on the Audi stand — when unveiled in Beijing next month.
A concept car specifically created for the show, the RS Q3 is based on the recently released compact SUV, but has had a 2.5-litre TFSI five-cylinder engine dropped into the engine bay. It's a powerplant good for 265kW — 15kW more than the five-cylinder in the TT RS. As a consequence, the hot-shoe Q3 can reach 100km/h from a standing start in 5.2 seconds and will pull a top speed of 265km/h.
Drive runs through a seven-speed S Tronic transmission to the quattro all-wheel drive system, which provides traction to match the car's native roadholding, with the suspension lowered 25mm. Alloy wheels measure 8.5Jx20 and are shod with 255/30 tyres.
The high-gloss and sandblasted wheels set off the rest of the car, which Audi has finished in Ordos Blue — a matt colour with a slight yellow tint, according to the company. The body gains brushed or polished aluminium trim for the single-frame grille shell and the insert is a black honeycomb mesh. Other cosmetic features include tinted headlights with chrome and carbon-fibre elements within, revised bumpers with aerodynamic styling, mirror shells in black carbon-fibre, matt white aluminium trim for the side windows, a roof spoiler and an anthracite tint for the clear glass of the tail lights.
Inside the RS Q3 is dominated by black, but offset by the light through the glass sunroof. Seat upholstery is Nappa leather, with dark blue Alcantara as a contrasting material. Carbon-fibre is used throughout the interior, for items as diverse as the trim panels (with blue luminescent fibres woven into the material) and the control stalks, which also feature complementary aluminium trim. The steering wheel is mostly bound in black velvet leather, chosen for its dirt-repellent properties. Given the concept car is being launched in Beijing, Audi has settled on Chinese pictographs rather than Hindu-Arabic numerals for the tachometer calibrations.
Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
