I keep in mind driving the first-generation Audi RSQ3 and pondering, ‘this has all of the substances, however it simply doesn’t fairly really feel prefer it has been cooked sufficient’.
It was the primary ever SUV from Audi to put on the RS badge, and it made the sporty arm of the four-ring model’s line-up extra attainable than ever – at that stage, it was the primary sub-$100,000 RS to be offered in Australia.
This RSQ3 Sportback version 10 years doesn’t, nevertheless, slip beneath that pricing barrier – however in contrast to the unique tackle the RSQ3, this can be a well-rounded, speedy and wealthy feeling small SUV.
I spent just a few days with it, and I want I didn’t have to provide it again. Learn on to seek out out why.
How a lot does the Audi RSQ3 Sportback version 10 years value?
This celebratory mannequin will set you again $102,900 earlier than on-road prices.
For context, right here’s the RSQ3 line-up pricing:
- Audi RSQ3: $96,100
- Audi RSQ3 Sportback: $99,100
- Audi RSQ3 Sportback version 10 years: $102,900
All costs exclude on-road prices.
This particular mannequin is proscribed to only 555 items worldwide, and Audi Australia has confirmed our market will probably be “receiving between 10 and 20 per cent” of that complete manufacturing run.
So, this can be a fairly uncommon factor, and for just some grand greater than the ‘common’ RSQ3 Sportback, it looks like a good selection…
That’s, in fact, if you’re okay with Chronos Gray metallic as the color you get – it comes at not value – or if you’re superb to spend $8900 on Dew Silver Matte paint, which is new to the Q3 line.
Do you have to select the traditional model, there’d be metallic choices like Mythos Black, Turbo Blue, Tango Crimson, Glacier White, the eye-catching Kyalami Inexperienced status paint, or Daytona Gray pearl or Nardo Gray stable paint.
What’s the Audi RSQ3 Sportback version 10 years like on the within?
It gives the everyday Audi sensibility when it comes to design and presentation, nevertheless, with some superb and considerate prospers that make this really feel a bit extra particular.
I really like the microfibre steering wheel grip, and there are grippy sections on the seats to maintain you in place.
Between these components you’ll discover quilted leather-based which appears and feels superb, and whereas the entrance seats are manually adjustable (at $100,000 plus, that appears tough), they do have glorious adjustability to them.
There may be a straightforward to make use of touchscreen media system with buttons and dials under the display screen for local weather management settings, seat heating, fan and extra. There’s additionally a quantity knob, plus a drive choose controller and a hill descent management button – undecided I’d be utilizing that fairly often.
The motive force will get Audi’s Digital Cockpit setup with a giant display screen that gives nice usability, and a humorous factor I really like about this era of Q3 embrace the very chunky door handles. I additionally admire the ambient lighting by means of this cabin – on the back and front doorways, and on the dashboard, too – which makes a little bit of a distinction to the wow issue within the cabin.
The shortage of a sunroof may appear a little bit of a priority for patrons buying at this degree, however you possibly can choice a panoramic roof for $2700.
In the case of storage there are huge door pockets with bottle holders, a pair of cupholders between the seats, a wi-fi telephone charger in entrance of the shifter, and a comparatively small coated centre console.
Again seat occupant house is kind of good, although the sloping roofline of the Sportback mannequin does take some house away.
I managed to suit 4 adults on this automobile. Certainly one of them was a 190cm male within the again seat, and he was shocked by how a lot house he had.
Foot room and shoulder house is nice, and the rear seat has a little bit of sculpture to it, so it’s undoubtedly going to be extra snug for 2 occupants than three – backing that up is a big transmission tunnel that does eat into foot house down between these seats.
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Common RSQ3 Sportback
In case you plan to make use of it as a household automobile, there are ISOFIX factors within the window seats, plus three top-tether factors as properly.
Protecting back-seat riders comfortable are a pair of directional air vents and two USB-C chargers, plus a 12V plug, and storage is fairly properly sorted with bottle holders within the doorways, a flip down armrest with pop-up cupholders, however one factor you gained’t discover behind his automobile are seat again map pockets – they aren’t on these sports activities bucket seats.
The cargo maintain is fairly beneficiant, with a claimed 530 litres of cargo capability on supply. The sweeping roofline does eat into the house to a level, however fortunately there’s a cargo cowl to stop any potential injury, and the electrical boot lid will cease itself from closing down on one thing if you happen to’ve squished an excessive amount of in.
There isn’t any spare wheel – you get a tyre restore package.
What’s beneath the bonnet?
No energy bump for the particular version, however tell us if you happen to suppose it wanted one within the feedback!
As such, it has a 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, with 294kW of energy (7000rpm) and 480Nm of torque (1950-5850rpm). These outputs are outrageous as it’s, sufficient for the RSQ3 to say a 0-100km/h time of 4.5 seconds.
With the intention to be that quick, it makes use of a seven-speed dual-clutch automated transmission, and has quattro all-wheel drive. Naturally.
How does the Audi RSQ3 Sportback version 10 years drive?
Any time I drive a automobile with a five-cylinder engine, I come away with the identical thought: “Why aren’t there extra of those?!”
That’s actually the case for the RS five-pot within the Q3, which is an absolute delight. It’s easy, linear, and sounds terrific as properly, particularly beneath arduous throttle. The roll-on acceleration is large, and it’s partaking, enthralling and enthusiastic.
It isn’t excellent, although – there may be some low-rev lag and, whereas testing out the powertrain towards that claimed 0-100 time, I noticed it get slowed down a little bit bit from a standing begin when launching.
For the report, the digital timer on the dashboard that may measure your 0-100, 0-200, quarter mile and lap instances is a superb speaking level. And never for the report, the most effective I noticed was 5.0sec.
The seven-speed dual-clutch automated can be excellent; quick to react and really easy shifting. It gives these telltale ultra-snappy shifts beneath arduous acceleration, with paddle shifters if you wish to take issues into your personal palms. I didn’t try this, I left the automobile in auto within the RS drive mode, and it by no means left me wanting something apart from what it selected.
I did word, although, that after I cold-started the automobile (winter, Blue Mountains, 7am, so correctly chilly), it had a bent to really feel prefer it was driving the clutch in reverse and at low speeds in ahead gears.
I really like the steering on this automobile – it has a pleasant weighting and reactiveness to it, imbuing it with some superb dynamism. There may be only a trace of understeer in actually actually tight corners while you’re pushing arduous however in most conditions, it is vitally rewarding and very fulfilling.
It’s additionally simple to park and simple to stay with in city driving situations, aided by a high-quality surround-view digicam system that offers you an awesome view across the automobile, and doesn’t get all fuzzy wanting while you’re parking it at night time, as many others can.
The experience consolation might be the factor that blew me away most from the drive expertise, as a result of it’s driving on 21-inch wheels so it arguably doesn’t should be as soft or snug as it’s. Adaptive dampers alter the firmness of the experience however even in probably the most assertive modes, it’s by no means too agency or too arduous. It’s supple and managed.
It’s quiet and refined as properly, making it a possible choice for many who perhaps simply need the top-spec mannequin for all the luxurious perks that it comes with, as a result of hey, who on earth is pondering “I need a small SUV to go to the monitor in!”?
So, if you happen to don’t want all this energy, you’re nonetheless getting a incredible and opulent small SUV that simply occurs to be a weapon as properly.
What do you get?
For context, these are the modifications you see on the RSQ3 version 10 years over the usual variations of the automobile.
Highlights of the particular version embrace 21-inch mild double-spoke alloys completed in black, black brake calipers, darkened inside bits on the Matrix LED headlights, and a bunch of gloss black exterior accents.
Inside, there are particular leather-Dinamica RS bucket seats (unique to this spec) with matte carbon shells, a brand new jet black upholstery end, copper top-stitching, matte-finish carbon inlays, and edition-specific illuminated door sill trims that challenge a 3D Audi Sport purple diamond onto the bottom when the doorways are open.
And now, right here’s what that builds upon when it comes to customary gear for the common RSQ3:
- Audi join plus Navigation & Infotainment companies together with: On-line visitors info with hazard alert, parking info, climate, gas costs, Google Providers
- Audi join plus Safety & Help companies together with: Automotive finder with distant sign, distant lock & unlock, emergency name, on-line roadside help
- 10.1-inch touchscreen
- Wired or wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- Wi-fi telephone charging
- 15-speaker Sonos sound system
- Progressive variable-ratio steering
- RS sport exhaust
- RS-specific Audi drive choose modes
- RS sports activities suspension with adaptive dampers
- RS-specific physique styling
- Black exterior styling bundle
- Energy tailgate
- Keyless entry and push-button begin
- Rear privateness glass
- Auto lights
- Auto wipers
- Darkish headlining
- Tri-zone local weather management
There’s much more, however try our pricing and specs story if you wish to see the lists.
Is the Audi RSQ3 Sportback version 10 years secure?
The Audi Q3 vary has a five-star score from ANCAP primarily based on Euro NCAP testing carried out in 2018 – however the score doesn’t apply to the RSQ3 mannequin.
Even so, the vary comes as customary with a spread of know-how, similar to:
- Low- and high-speed autonomous emergency braking (as much as 250km/h) with pedestrian and bike owner detection (5-85km/h)
- Adaptive cruise management with cease/go
- Lane departure warning
- Lane retaining help
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic help
- Entrance and rear parking sensors
- Entrance, front-side and curtain airbags
There’s an ordinary surround-view digicam on this grade, too. Plus the RS has the most important brakes of any Audi Q3, so there’s that.
How a lot does the Audi RSQ3 Sportback version 10 years value to run?
The official mixed cycle gas consumption determine for the RSQ3 variants is 8.9 litres per 100 kilometres, and if you happen to get that frequently, you’re most likely the form of one who buys the most costly automobile for the standing, fairly than the velocity.
Over a brief mortgage within the version 10 years, I noticed a real-world indicated determine of 9.6L/100km, which I assumed was fairly good contemplating I gave it a little bit of a tough time by means of some flexible bits and examined its acceleration on a couple of event.
It requires the most costly 98 RON premium unleaded, and has a 63-litre gas tank capability.
As for ongoing concerns, Audi now backs its fashions with a five-year/limitless kilometre guarantee, on par with most luxurious and mainstream rivals.
There’s a capped-price servicing plan of types – a pay as you go service pack is accessible for a five-year/75,000km period, and it prices $3580. That’s not too unhealthy, contemplating this can be a premium efficiency SUV.
There’s additionally roadside help accessible for gratis.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Audi RSQ3 Sportback version 10 years
It’s arduous to not be enamoured with a automobile just like the Audi RSQ3 version 10 years. One has to surprise how for much longer we’ll see high-performance petrol-powered vehicles like this from the model, not to mention with a five-cylinder engine.
It’s a tremendously enjoyable, useful, and fiendishly fancy compact SUV. Australia ought to depend itself fortunate to be in line for such a giant share of the worldwide output of those particular fashions.
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MORE: Every part Audi RSQ3
