Audi Q3 RS Rumors give Birth to Rendering

The latest news from Audi is that the Ingolstadt automaker is working on a high-performance version of its new Q3 compact SUV. According to inside sources quoted by Auto Motor und Sport magazine in its most recent issue, the brand with the four rings has even decided on the powertrain, which is none other than the 340HP 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five found under the hood of the TT RS and RS3 hot hatch.

Power of course would be transferred to all four wheels through Audi’s quattro system and a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission.

These yet to be officially confirmed rumors have lead photoshop resident and CoolPictures reader L il-k Amaru to use his talent on the creation of two renderings depicting the possible styling of the Q3 RS.

The artist’s proposal includes all the usual design cues of Audi’s RS models such as the prominent front bumper with a honeycomb grille, side skirts, five-spoke alloy wheels, aluminum trim accents and a rear apron with a diffuser.

Thanks go to L il-k Amaru from Virtuel-car!

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Audi Begins Production of New Q3 SUV in Spain

The first series production version of Audi’s new Q3 small SUV rolled off the assembly line today at the SEAT factory in Martorell, located in Spain’s Catalonia region. Built in 1993, the Martorell plant currently employs more than 10,000 workers. This is the first time that the Ingolstadt-based automaker makes use of the SEAT factory. To build the Q3, the VW Group invested around €330 million in infrastructure and upgrades to the production facilities. Audi said around 100,000 Q3s are slated to leave the three-shift assembly line each year.

The smallest member of Audi’s Q series of SUVs and crossovers utilizes the VW Tiguan’s platform architecture. Currently, the Q3 is offered with three four-cylinder powerplants, a 2.0-liter turbo diesel with 177-horses, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine available in two outputs with 170HP and 211HP. A more fuel-efficient 2.0 TDI with 140HP as well as smaller displacement petrol engines are to be added to the range in the near future.

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