The new Audi RS Q3*, the dynamic spearhead of the Q3 model series, is now even more distinctive and powerful. Its 2.5 TFSI engine satisfies the Euro 6 standard and produces 250 kW (367 hp) and 450 Nm (331.9 lb-ft) of torque, the latter between 1,600 and 5,300 rpm. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) takes just 4.8 seconds, and top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155.3 mph). Average fuel consumption is 8.4 liters per 100 kilometers (28.0 US mpg), corresponding to 198 g CO2 per kilometer (318.7 g/km). The start stop system and the regulated oil pump contribute to this good value. 4.8 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph): the Audi RS Q3
The Audi RS Q3* was updated concurrent with the Q3*. The compact performance SUV is now hotter and more dynamic than ever. Its 2.5 liter, five-cylinder engine now produces 250 kW (367 hp) and 450 Nm (331.9 lb-ft) of torque. It also now satisfies the Euro 6 standard. The top model in the series now accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 4.8 seconds on its way to an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h (155.3 mph). An RS exhaust system with a switchable flap adds even more volume to the unmistakable sound of the five-cylinder engine.
The seven-speed S tronic, which transfers the power to the quattro drivetrain via a new hydraulic multi-plate clutch (5th generation), has also been refined for even faster gear changes. The lower gears are closely spaced for sporty response while the seventh gear is tall to save fuel.
The chassis of the Audi RS Q3 is also impressive. 19-inch wheels are standard; 20-inch wheels are optionally available. Thanks to the wave design, the large brake discs on the front axle are now one kilogram (2.2 lb) lighter. They are gripped by eight-piston calipers. The standard RS sport suspension is also available with optional adaptive dampers. The steering is tuned for sporty driving, and the Audi drive select dynamic handling system is standard.
Numerous design details illustrate the special status of the dynamic top-of-the-line model. On the exterior, the distinctive bumpers are particularly eye-catching. The color black dominates the interior. The sport seats are optionally available in Fine Nappa leather with diamond quilting; red needles sweep across gray dials in the instrument cluster; and the driver information system offers a special RS menu with lap timer and displays for both oil temperature and boost pressure.
The base price in Germany for the generously appointed new top model is 56,600 euros. LED headlights, among other features, are standard. Deliveries of the RS Q3 will begin in the first quarter of 2015.
At a glance
Propulsion: 2.5 TFSI, S tronic and quattro all-wheel drive
Audi is bringing the performance philosophy to the compact SUV segment with the RS Q3. Its engine, whose 2,480 cc displacement results from a stroke of 82.5 millimeters (3.2 in) and a bore of 92.8 millimeters (3.7 in), is a modern classic. An international jury of journalists has named the five-cylinder unit International Engine of the Year in its class five years in a row since 2010. With its ample pulling power, free-revving character and inimitable sound, the 2.5 TFSI is guaranteed to cause goose bumps. At higher loads and rpm, a flap in the exhaust system opens to provide an even more voluminous sound.
The five-cylinder turbo’s power flows to a modified seven-speed S tronic. Audi used optimized fine-tuning to further improve the seven-speed S tronic transmission’s shift times. The driver can let the dual-clutch transmission do all the work in modes D and S, or can shift gears himself. Shift paddles on the steering wheel are standard. The lower gears are closely spaced for sporty response while the seventh gear is tall to save fuel. A launch control system manages full-throttle acceleration from a standing start.
The primary component of the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system is an updated multi-plate clutch. The hydraulically actuated and electronically controlled unit is mounted in front of the rear axle. Its electronic controller brings stability, traction and driving enjoyment into perfect harmony.
Ever more powerful performance:
The RS sport suspension plus with damper control
The updated Audi RS Q3 offers impressively dynamic and safe handling. The taut RS sport suspension lowers the body by 20 millimeters (0.8 in) versus the Q3. Audi also offers the RS sport suspension with optional damper control. The adaptive dampers can be set to one of three modes using the standard Audi drive select system. The system also influences the accelerator, steering, S tronic, exhaust flap and the adaptive light (optional).
The Audi RS Q3 comes standard in Germany with 19-inch wheels, with 20-inch wheels available as an option. The front brake discs, which measure 365 millimeters (14.4 in) in diameter, have a weight-saving wave design and are gripped by black eight-piston calipers bearing RS logos. The electronic stabilization control offers a Sport mode and can also be deactivated entirely.
Differentiated: the design
Sharp visual accents demonstrate the potential of the new Audi RS Q3. The Single frame grille – with a matt aluminum-look frame and high-gloss black honeycomb grille – has been redesigned, and a quattro logo adorns the air intake in the front bumper. The aluminum roof rails, long RS roof spoiler, updated LED taillights and xenon headlights, the modified rear bumper and the long, elliptical exhaust tailpipe complete the dynamic look. Four appearance packages, two each in matt aluminum-look and glossy black, provide for further customization. Sepang Blue pearl effect is available as an exclusive exterior color.
The dynamic line is echoed in the car’s interior. The sport seats with embossed RS Q3 logos are covered in a combination of black Alcantara and leather, with Fine Nappa leather and Fine Nappa leather with diamond quilting available as options. High-gloss black, bright red and subtle aluminum applications set additional accents. The inlays come standard in black piano lacquer, and optionally in aluminum or carbon.
The instrument cluster has gray dials with white numbers and red needles; the multifunction steering wheel is flattened at the bottom. The color DIS display shows the boost pressure, oil temperature and a lap timer in a separate RS menu. The Audi RS Q3 also comes standard with the parking system plus, MMI radio, Audi sound system, sport seats and deluxe automatic air conditioning. The base price in Germany for the generously appointed new top model is 56,600 euros. LED headlights, among other features, are standard. Deliveries of the RS Q3 will begin in the first quarter of 2015.
Audi RS Q3: Fuel consumption figures
Audi RS Q3 2.5 TFSI quattro: Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 8,6 – 8,4; Combined CO2-emissions in g/km: 203 – 198.
Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions data as well as the efficiency classes are dependent on the choice of wheels and tyres.
Positive sales result for the Four Rings for the half year: With around 953,200 units delivered, AUDI AG increased its sales since January by 5.6 percent, growing in all regions. The brand recorded strong growth especially in Europe. Sales in that region increased by 8.4 percent since the beginning of the year, topping 450,000 cars for the first time. Worldwide, especially the new models Audi A4 (+12.3%) and Audi Q7 full size SUV (+73,6%) pushed the sales performance. Deliveries across all models increased by 7.4 percent in June to around 169,000 units with Audi surpassing its performance from the same month last year in all top ten sales markets.
“Despite persisting challenges in key markets, the first half of 2016 was mainly characterized by globally balanced growth. We reinforced our market leadership in Europe and China and are performing better than the overall market in the United States,” says Dietmar Voggenreiter, Member of the Board of Management for Sales and Marketing at AUDI AG. “In the upcoming months, we will continue to strengthen our model portfolio with new technologies and concepts like the Audi Q7 e-tron*, the A6L e-tron, the SQ7 TDI* and the Q2.”
With the European market launch of the new Audi A5 in the fall and the updated Audi A3 this month, a generation change is in store for the already successful key models.
In June, Audi handed over around 78,700 (+9.8%) cars in Europe across all models. The company thus set new records for deliveries in each of the six months in this region. Cumulatively, sales increased by 8.4 percent to around 455,250 cars. New models, above all, provided a boost in Audi’s largest sales region: Sales of the Audi Q7 full‑size SUV more than doubled, while demand for the new Audi A4 climbed by almost 20 percent. The brand posted significant growth primarily in Germany (+12.4% to 166,154 units), Italy (+14.6% to 32,124 units) and Spain (+14.5% to 28,803 units). The manufacturer also made further gains in its largest European export market, the UK: up 4.1 percent to 89,935 cars. This increase was fueled in particular by strong demand for the Audi TT, which saw a 36 percent increase in deliveries in the United Kingdom. With sales of around 17,650 since January, the Audi TT secured its position as the top‑selling compact sports car in the premium segment.
On the American continent as well, deliveries of the Ingolstadt‑based brand increased in the last six months: up 3.5 percent to around 131,450 units. Of those, 96,934 were sold in the United States, also representing an increase of 3.5 percent. Nearly every second US customer chose an SUV. Cumulative sales of the Audi Q3, Q5 and Q7 thus climbed by 24 percent to 45,195 cars. Audi continued its successful course in the US market in June. A one percent increase marked the 66th month of growth in a row. Canada once again proved to be an important growth driver in the region. In the first half of the year, the company sold 15,614 units there, 16 percent more than in the same period last year.
Sales continued to develop positively in the Asia‑Pacific region as well. Compared to the deliveries in the first half of 2015, sales increased by 3.9 percent to around 339,300 premium cars sold. In recent months, Audi made gains in China primarily with its compact models: In the first six months, the company handed over 81,083 units of the Audi A3 and Q3 to customers, corresponding to an increase of 21.7 percent. Across all models, sales in China increased by 5.9 percent to 290,126 units. Demand increased by 6.6 percent in June. In addition to China, Australia also showed strong growth in the region: Since the beginning of the year, 12,155 units have entered the Australian market, up 7.2 percent.
JAMAICA’S leading automotive group, ATL Automotive created big waves both on and offline this week after unveiling one of the most creative marketing blitz ever. It featured an Audi Q5 driving 40 feet up the wall of Wyndham Kingston hotel, in the city’s financial district.
The awe-inspiring installation — conceptualised by Chief Executive Officer Adam Stewart with the company’s marketing team — was created to demonstrate the legendary gripping power of ‘quattro’, the all-wheel-drive system perfected by German car makers Audi, and to coincide with the arrival of 2017 Audi Q5 units, Jamaica’s number one premium mid-size SUV. “This strategy was so fitting for Audi. Not only did it show off the greater traction and dynamic ability of Audi’s unique quattro AWD feature, but stayed true to the company’s ethos of progression and creativity in design.
At ATL Automotive, we like to push the boundaries too. Anyone can take a standard billboard, and we do, but the buzz we’ve seen since on the streets and on social media since we executed this has been incredible.
The term ‘raising the bar’ never seemed so appropriate, and I congratulate my marketing team on continuing to disrupt and challenge the norm. Watch what we’ve got up our sleeves next!” said Stewart. “The Audi view is that it doesn’t matter how big the engine is: its power first has to be channelled via the wheels before reaching the road. What quattro does is send power to the wheels that need it the most at any given time. Basically asking the question, why power just two wheels when a car has four?” the CEO continued.
The six-month project saw the ATL team fibreglass an existing Audi Q5, paint and brand it before engaging expert local sign company, Signarama, to build a specially reinforced bracket on the unit itself before fixing it 40 feet up the exterior of the hotel. Over seven million models with quattro® technology have been built to date, making Audi the world’s most successful manufacturer of premium cars with permanent all-wheel drive. From compact cars to saloons to supercars, quattro is synonymous with legendary traction, sure handling and a unique and exclusive brand of driving pleasure. The quattro, permanent, all-wheel-drive system splits drive power between the front and rear wheels to optimum effect.
This enables an Audi fitted with quattro to keep making safe progress with ease in situations where two-wheel drive vehicles no longer have any forward traction, such as on slippery surfaces or loose terrain. “Special mention and thanks must go to the Kevin Hendrickson and his management team at the Wyndham Kington hotel, who immediately bought into what we were trying to achieve and supported us every step of the way,” Stewart added. The latest delivery of 2017 Audi Q5 models is expected to land in Jamaica at the end of May. Starting price $8,795,000.00.
Audi is revealing the new Audi Q2* at the Geneva International Motor Show. The compact SUV is an urban-type vehicle for everyday driving and recreation, uniting a progressive design with a high level of functionality. Connectivity, infotainment and assistance systems are on level of full-size class.
