Audi RS Q3 Sportback

On the inside, things have become much fancier as compared to the regular Q3. While the Audi RS Q3 Sportback retains the dashboard design from the Q3, it gets a host of interesting touches like carbon fiber on the dashboard and door panels and contrasts red stitching. These details suit the RS tag which the car comes attached with.

Apart from that, the flat bottom perforated leather multi-functional steering wheel, hexagonal housing for the Audi Virtual Cockpit with full TFT display, wide driver facing 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and asymmetric center console with panel for automatic climate control at the bottom are the same as those in the Q3. Finished exquisitely in top-class leather, the cabin of the Audi RS Q3 Sportback is decently spacious for four passengers. The taller people might have to compromise with limited headroom at the rear.

The Audi Q3 is a good car to start with when it comes to exterior looks. The new Audi RS Q3 Sportback takes the leaf out of the books of the regular Q3 and transforms it into a much more appealing and youthful design. The sleek lines of the Audi RS Q3 Sportback definitely manage to catch a lot of attention, especially in the off-beat color options it comes with.

The front end of the Audi RS Q3 Sportback is completely the same as the regular Q3, however, there are some tweaks in the former to differentiate it from the latter. The large octagonal grille here comes with gloss honeycomb inserts within it and a sleek grille lining above it. The all-LED headlamps with Y-themed daytime running LEDs have been picked up from the regular Q3. The biggest differentiating factor here has to be the sportier-looking front bumper with aggressive-looking air dam and bumper inserts on the sides.

From the sides, the difference between the Audi RS Q3 Sportback and the standard Q3 becomes more apparent, especially when moving towards the rear. The sloping roofline gives it the much-needed coupe effect, with the sharp curves over the front and rear fenders enhancing its aerodynamic appeal even more. The blacked-out alloy wheels and rearview mirrors add to the sporty appeal of the Audi RS Q3 Sportback.

From the rear too, the Audi RS Q3 Sportback looks distinguishable from the regular Q3, with a sharply raked windscreen. However, the rest of the design below it, including boot lid layout and wide LED tail lamps are the same as those in the regular Q3.

The Audi RS Q3 Sportback also feels like an agile car to drive, with the car getting RS Sport adaptive suspension setup with Audi drive select featuring multiple drive modes. This whole suspension setup, coupled with adjusted progressive steering, makes up for a fantastic driving experience. Even the brakes are top-notch too, with the Audi RS Q3 Sportback getting an RS steel brake system with red callipers. However, the buyer can opt for an optional RS ceramic brake system.

The Audi RS Q3 Sportback’s main element has to be this – the 2.5-litre four-cylinder TFSI petrol engine under its hood. Mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox, this engine pumps out breathtaking 400 bhp of maximum power and 480 Nm of maximum torque.

The Audi RS Q3 Sportback has the word premium written all over it, so the presence of an exhaustive list of safety features is inevitable. The car is packed with advanced driver assistance systems, including a parking system plus, lane departure warning, Audi pre sense, adaptive cruise control, 360-degree camera and airbags all around.

The Audi RS Q3 Sportback might be small in size compared to other bigger SUV coupes in the market. However, it is not short on drama, with a very desirable and sporty visual appeal as well as performance and driving dynamics to match that sporty aura it has.