GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Audi reveals 270kW RS Q3 performance

Audi has revealed it will unveil an even more powerful version of its RS Q3 SUV at next month’s Swiss car show.

Called the RS Q3 ‘performance’, the small fast Audi SUV joins the recently launched RS 6 performance and RS 7 performance that were revealed late last year.

Like its bigger siblings, the ‘performance’ spec RS sees engineers turn up the wick this time by 20kW/15Nm to see the RS Q3’s 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder produce a mighty 270kW/465Nm.

With the extra power and torque the 0-100km/h time drops by 0.4 seconds to just 4.4 seconds while top speed increases to 270km/h, up from the RS Q3’s limited 250km/h.

Audi hasn’t owned up how the extra power is liberated but has admitted that the performance mods required a redesigned radiator for better cooling and ‘optimised’ fuel pump, hinting at a remap.

Fuel consumption and emissions remain unchanged at 8.6L/100km and 203g/km of CO2 - the same as the less powerful RS Q3.

To help deal with the extra performance, engineers have lowered the RS Q3 performance’ suspension by 20mm and it now also comes with the option of adaptive dampers.

In the German market, the RS Q3 performance now comes with bigger 20-inch wheels too, replacing the RS Q3’s 19s.

Reigning in the power are large 365mm front wave-style discs and eight-piston callipers.

Externally, the RS Q3 performance gets plenty of matt titanium parts from the mirror housings, to the roof rails and air inlets.

A special Ascari blue metallic colour is also reserved exclusively for RS Q3 performance buyers.

Inside, the RS Q3 performance comes standard with parking system plus, MMI radio, a premium sound system and LED headlights as well as the option of a ’performance design package’ that adds yet more expensive leather and carbon-fibre inserts.

In Germany, RS Q3 performance pricing will begin at around $91,500 in our money, when deliveries start in Q3.

More information is expected following its public debut at Geneva on March 1.