Wednesday, April 18, 2012

New Concept Car: Audi RS Q3


When Audi released the Q3 into the premium small-ute segment to mingle with the likes of the BMW X1 and Acura RDX, it wasted no time in confirming a 314-hp version of the 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five developed for the TT RS. Audi confirmed the turbo five would be offered in the U.S.-spec Q3, an announcement made after the company unveiled the winter-sports-themed Q3 Vail concept at this year’s Detroit auto show.

Now for the Beijing auto show, Audi has whipped up a new Q3 concept, this time focusing on dry-road performance over wintry-travel capabilities.

Audi is calling the RS Q3 concept an “interpretation of a high-performance athlete with a 360-hp engine.” What that means, for those of you who haven’t already figured it out, is more power and a few styling mods to differentiate the concept from mere production versions.

Immediately apparent is the honeycomb mesh grille that replaces the more vertically oriented strakes of production versions. Chrome and black accents mingle with the slightly tinted headlamp lenses, while air ducts occupy the space in the lower fascia formerly inhabited by fog lights. A signature “Quattro” insignia is positioned directly below the grille. Carbon fiber is used for the front spoiler, door mirrors, air intakes and blacked-out headlight details. Doorsills and wheels are trimmed in the same black-and-blue motif as the front spoiler and air dam. Audi calls the main exterior color Ordos Blue; it’s a matte blue with a yellow tint.

The rear auxiliary lamps and taillights are tinted in anthracite and made of clear glass. Two large RS-style elliptical tailpipes exit through a new diffuser insert below the rear bumper.

Twenty-inch wheels wear 255/30 rubber; Audi says the tire selection is “not exactly typical for an SUV, but certainly [fitting] for an RS model.” The body is lowered by about an inch in comparison to current production Q3s.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

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