Audi RS Q3 landing down under for $81,900

Audi Australia has announced initial pricing details for the RS Q3, which is due here in February 2014. And, in a roundabout way, we can thank Mercedes-Benz for Audi’s sharp pricing which will start at $81,900.

The RS Q3 is powered by a 228kW/420Nm version of the inline five cylinder turbo used in the 250kW/450Nm TT RS. The baby RS SUV can reach 100km/h in 5.5 seconds, thanks also to its quattro system and 7-speed S tronic transmission.

Audi Australia proudly boasts this is the cheapest RS model you can buy and say it’s already holding 70 orders for the car.

Preliminary specifications show the RS Q3 won’t be cynically stripped of goodies forcing buyers to tick lots of options, too. Satellite navigation, including a 20GB hard drive, and RS-specific nappa leather seats are a couple of the items included as standard equipment.

What we’re excited about though, is what this may mean for the new RS3, which we’re expecting to be sold in Australia for the first time. You can pencil in the five-pot engine, but you’d reckon it’s key stat will be north of 250kW.

As for the purchase price of the RS3, well, we’re a lot more comfortable now that there will one day be two RS models being sold for less than a hundred grand than we were yesterday.

Scorching new Audi RS Q3 set to arrive in February at $81,900

• The first-ever Audi RS model under $100,000
  
• Scorching performance combined with useful practicality
  
• The RS Q3 is the first RS Q model and is set to build on the success of Audi’s first diesel S model, the SQ5 TDI

Sydney, 8 October 2013: Sports car buyers are preparing for the arrival of a vehicle that will break new ground. The new Audi RS Q3 will package performance and practicality into a sporty and compact design that has never been possible before, while ensuring that this new model stays true to Audi’s rich RS model heritage.

Despite pioneering a new segment of performance vehicle, the new RS Q3 will arrive in Australia at a price as aggressive as its RS character suggests.

“The Audi RS Q3 is a stunning vehicle that offers performance car enthusiasts something completely different,” said Audi Australia’s Managing Director Andrew Doyle.

“Our price point of $81,900 is really going to motivate some buyers to look at the sports car they have always wanted. No other car offers anything like the kind of performance, versatility or exclusivity of an Audi RS model at this price point. It truly is a unique vehicle and looks set to expand Australia’s love of performance SUV models.”

The RS Q3 is powered by a five-cylinder 2.5-litre TFSI engine that develops a phenomenal 228kW of power and 420Nm of torque. Distributed to all four wheels via quattro technology and through a seven-speed S tronic transmission, the RS Q3 launches to 100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds.

Despite the sharp pricing, the RS Q3 comes equipped with a very high level of standard equipment, as to be expected of an Audi RS model. Highlights include:

• RS specific styling, front and rear
  
• RS high-performance brake system, wave disc design at the front
  
• Xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights and LED tail lights
  
• MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch, 20 GB of hard drive storage and 2 SD card readers
  
• Audi parking system plus with rear view camera
  
• Audi Music Interface, Bluetooth interface with audio streaming
  
• Sports seats with Fine Nappa leather and RS embossing
  
• Dual zone climate control
  
• Automatically dimming interior mirror, electric exterior mirrors
  
• RS specific interior highlights

The Audi RS Q3 is scheduled to arrive in Australia in February, 2014. To-date, around 70 orders have been placed for this exciting new vehicle.