Audi RS Q3 Concept

At the 2012 Beijing Auto Show, Audi will pull the covers off a concept study based on their Q3 SUV. Called the RS Q3, there’s no prizes for guessing what the concept is all about. Under the hood is the same 2.5 litre, 5-cylinder TFSI engine used in the Audi TT RS and the RS3 Sportback. In the RS Q3 it produces 360 horsepower and is connected to a seven-speed S tronic gearbox coupled to a quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. This setup allows the Audi RS Q3 to hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.2 seconds. The top speed is 165 mph. Aside from the more powerful drivetrain, the Audi RS Q3 is also sits around an inch (25mm) closer to the ground and has a number of unique styling elements. The front and rear bumpers are new and feature a more sporty design inspired by other RS models. The single frame grille gets a new twist on the honeycomb pattern and the headlights are slightly tinted. On the inside Audi have acknowledged the RS Q3 concept’s Chinese debut by fitting the car with a gauge cluster incorporating Chinese characters onto the tachometer. The interior is for the most part trimmed in black – on the roofliner, floor carpet, floor mats, leather-upholstered instrument panel and on large areas of the seat upholstery, which consists of Fine Nappa leather. Dark blue Alcantara is used as a contrasting element on the seat covers. Blue also makes its way into the carbon fiber trim panels, shifter surround and steering wheel rim. Although it looks pretty tacky to be honest. More like a poorly chosen aftermarket extra, than the type of world-class interior design Audi is known for.