Sporting Luxury

A review of the 2021 Audi RS Q3

Before we get into our review of the new Audi RS Q3, it might help to understand the origins of this German carmaker. Audi is an automobile manufacturer that designs, engineers, builds, markets, and distributes luxury vehicles. Today, the company is a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group.

Audi’s beginnings are a bit clouded, but we do know that engineer August Horch and his companies, along with two other manufacturers, DKW and Wanderer, founded the entity in the early part of the 20th century. The companies later formed “Auto Union” in 1932. However, the modern era of Audi basically began in the 1960s when Volkswagen acquired Auto Union from another German luxury carmaker, Daimler-Benz. Volkswagen merged Auto Union with NSU Motorenwerke in 1969, creating the present-day form of the company. If you’ve ever wondered what the four interlocked rings represent in Audi’s logo, they symbolize the long forgotten four companies that originally made up Auto Union.

The “RS” moniker for this car stands for “Renn Sport” or “Racing Sport.” RS models are the company’s top range of cars and have even more aggressive styling than Audi’s other models. RS cars also have a lot more power and even more advanced technology than their ordinary counterparts. RS cars also have better brakes, suspensions, and engines than their cousins. Think of the RS models ascompetitorstoMercedesAMGandBMWMmodels.

TheAudiRSQ3comesintwoversions:SUVandSUVcoupé or “Sportback,” as Audi calls it. Our test was made with the sedan version of the car. The RS Q3 is a looker to be sure. Its clean lines and impeccable styling give the impression that it’s moving even when parked. The gloss black grill with three-dimensional honeycomb structure is inset directly into the RS bumper, while its large side air inlets is pleasing. The striking boomerang-shaped blades in the bumper are designed exclusively for the RS Q3. The RS touches are also apparent in the flat slits above the Singleframe radiator grille.

The rear of the car has a great look, too. The RS-specific long roof edge spoiler in the RS Q3 emphasizes the pronounced forward thrust of the SUV and ensures improved down force, which means better stability. This new generation RS Q3 comes, for the first time; with a dual RS exhaust system. The tail pipes rest in an RS-specific bumper that has a rear diffuser and horizontal blades in gloss black.

For Singapore, matrix LED headlights with dynamic indicators and RS-specific darkened trims come as standard. The rear lights also feature LED technology.

Within the Audi Q3 family, the RS Q3 and RS Q3 Sportback are the sporty flagships. The performance figures for the compact engines are impressive: Five-cylinder, 294 kW (400 hp) power output, 480 Nm of torque with Audi’s patented Quattro all-wheel drive.

The five-cylinder engine is a good choice because it’s smaller and less expensive to produce than a six and is much smoother and more powerful than a four-cylinder engine. Audi’s inline five-cylinder engine is a marvel of engineering. Manufacturers from Mercedes to Volvo have tried their hands at producing cars with the odd number of cylinders but Audi seems to have perfected the technology. In fact, last year, Audi Sport received the sought-after “International Engine of the Year Award” for the 2.5 TFSI engine for the ninth consecutive time.

The award-winning five-cylinder engine gains a good 17 percent increase in power with an unchanged displacement of 2,480 cc over its predecessor. The engine’s crushing torque is available over the very broad rev range, between 1,950 and 5,850 rpm. The RS Q3 models sprint from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds. This car is fast! To keep motorists grounded, the top speed is limited by electronics to 250 km/h.

At less than 50 centimeters in length, the 2.5 TFSI engine is extremely compact and is 26 kg lighter than the previous model. Its crankcase is made of aluminum, which alone saves 18 kg. Elaborate measures reduce internal friction while at the same time increasing power output. The cylinder liners are plasma-coated; the crankshaft main bearings are smaller in diameter. The crankshaft is hollow bored, which makes it 1 kg lighter, while the aluminum pistons have integrated channels for oil cooling.

The engine’s 1-2-4-5-3 – firing alternates between adjacent cylinders and those far apart from one another. The particular firing sequence and the odd number of cylinders make for a very special rhythm and unique engine sound. The dual tube RS exhaust system underscores the characteristic sound of the five-cylinder engine. With its throaty, burbly sound the car sound more like a supercharged V-8.

The power from the five-cylinder engine flows via a seven-speed S tronic gearbox to the Quattro permanent, all-wheel drive that distributes the power as needed between the axles through a dual plate clutch. The selective wheel torque control makes for safe and agile handling.

The Audi drive select system influences the Quattro drive and other components, such as steering, suspension, gearshifts, engine parameters, and sound. There is a choice of driving modes: Comfort, auto, dynamic, efficiency, and individual or, as an alternative to the individual mode, the two new RS modes RS1 and RS2. The RS-tuned progressive steering also conveys close contact with the road even on fast bends.

The front axle comes with MacPherson struts attached to the lower wishbones, which really helps improve both ride and handling. And for the first time on a compact high-performance SUV, Audi Sport offers 21-inch wheels. Behind the standard 20-inch or optional 21inch wheels, the all-new six-piston RS steel brake system works with ventilated and perforated discs. Available as an option, the RS ceramic brakes system can be added.

The car’s interior is uncomplicated and uncluttered. There aren’t the usual acres of leather that are often found on its competitor’s cars. Patches of red suede do accent the dash and door cards, which do look a bit out of place. However, the front race inspired RS seats look as amazing as they are comfortable and are upholstered in fine Nappa leather with RS-specific honeycomb pattern and integrated head restraints.

The MMI touch display with its high-gloss black glass slots into the dash seamlessly. Standard for Singapore is the larger Audi virtual cockpit plus with shift light display that prompts the driver to up shift when the maximum engine speed is reached. Special displays also provide information on tire pressure, torque, power output, lap times, g-forces and acceleration measurements.

Upon opening the doors, an “Audi Sport” projection shines onto the ground. The RS sport leather steering wheel, flattened at the bottom, including newly designed shift paddles, comes with multifunction buttons that allow the driver to control the two optional RS Modes from the steering wheel.

The RS Q3 is quite spacious for a small SUV and it was designed as a fully-fledged five-seater. What’s more, the luggage compartment holds 530 liters. And with the backrests folded down, the figure nearly triples to 1,400 liters for the Sportback.

The Audi RS Q3 is available for order at $247,900, while the RS Q3 Sportback is $255,040 (excluding COEs). In the final analyses, this is a compact SUV that’s fun to drive, which has all the bells and whistles of a luxury sports car.