• Ferocious acceleration places the RS Q3 performance at the top of the premium compact SUV segment
• Even more power from the multi award-winning Audi 2.5 TFSI five-cylinder engine
• Exclusive equipment and attractive pricing, from $84,216

"The Audi RS Q3 has proven itself a resounding success in the three short years it has been on sale in Australia," said Andrew Doyle, Managing Director of Audi Australia.

"We had originally anticipated selling around 100 RS Q3s in the first year, but since February 2014, we have delivered over 360 of these extraordinary SUVs to enthusiastic owners.

"Now with even more performance from the multi award-winning 2.5 TFSI engine, along with additional equipment and only a slight price increase, we have no doubt that this exciting successor to the RS Q3 in Australia will continue to find favour among sports car aficionados who need the versatility of an SUV … but still want the enjoyment of driving a performance car.

Since 2010, an international panel of automotive journalists has named the 2.5 TFSI "International Engine of the Year" in its category six years in a row. In the RS Q3 performance, the additional engine power comes as a result of increased cooling capacity from the main radiator and an optimised the fuel pump to give the five-cylinder turbo another 20kW. Taking peak figures to 270kW/465Nm, the effect on acceleration performance is significant: the RS Q3 performance is 0.4 sec quicker to 100km/h. It reaches this mark in an astonishing 4.4 seconds from rest, faster than the original Audi R8 4.2 FSI coupe.

The RS Q3 performance is available exclusively with a seven-speed S tronic transmission that has been rigorously tuned for sportiness. The driver can either allow the extremely fast-shifting dual-clutch transmission to do all the work, or change gears manually using the shift paddles on the steering wheel. In the Audi drive select's dynamic mode, each gear change is accompanied by double-declutching.

Power is delivered to the road courtesy of the legendary Audi quattro permanent all-wheel drive system, via a hydraulically actuated, electronically controlled multi-plate clutch. Power is distributed automatically between the front and rear axles as required, and even selectively to each wheel thanks to the intelligent Electronic Stabilisation Control (ESC). Furthermore, a specially tuned sport mode can be activated as a function of the ESC for very dynamic driving.

The taut RS sport suspension perfectly translates the dynamics of the powerful engine and lowers the body by 20 millimetres compared with the Audi Q3. Audi offers the RS sport suspension plus with damper control as an option. Its characteristics can be adjusted for comfort, dynamics or an automatic setting that combines the best of both via the Audi drive select dynamic handling system.

Visually, the RS Q3 performance has an arresting presence. It sits on 20-inch matt-titanium-finish alloy wheels (5 twin-spoke V-design), which is complemented by a host of design elements finished similarly in matt-titanium: the singleframe grille, quattro air inlet, roof rails, rear diffuser and exterior mirrors. In addition, the RS Q3 performance is available with s pecial colour: Ascari Blue. The gloss red ‚RS' brake calipers further accentuates its sporty look, while inside, carbon inlays make a sophisticated impression.

As expected of an Audi RS model, the RS Q3 performance comes equipped with a very high level of standard features.

Highlights include:

• RS high-performance ventilated brake system, wave disc design at the front
• LED headlights with dynamic rear turning indicators
• MMI Navigation plus with a high-resolution 7-inch colour display, 20 GB of hard drive storage and 2 SD card readers
• DAB+ digital radio reception
• Audi parking system plus with rear view camera
• Audi Side Assist
• Audi Music Interface, Bluetooth interface with audio streaming
• Sports seats with Fine Nappa leather and RS embossing (w/ front seat heating)
• Electrically adjustable front seats with 4-way lumbar support
• Automatic dual zone climate controlled air conditioning
• Automatically dimming interior mirror, exterior mirrors; electrically folding, automatically dimming on the driver's side
• Convenience key with anti-theft alarm
• Electric tailgate open/close function
• Tyre pressure monitoring

Pricing
(Manufacturer List Pricing (MLP) – excludes dealer delivery and statutory charges)

– ENDS –

The Audi Group, with its brands Audi, Ducati and Lamborghini, is one of the most successful manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles in the premium segment. It is present in more than 100 markets worldwide and produces at 16 locations in twelve countries. In the second half of 2016, the production of the Audi Q5 will start in San José Chiapa (Mexico). 100-percent subsidiaries of AUDI AG include quattro GmbH (Neckarsulm), Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. (Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy) and Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (Bologna, Italy).