Audi RS Q3 Is Macan The Baby Porsche SUV Redundant

Derek Kreindler
by Derek Kreindler

What could be more China-centric than a high-performance Audi RS Q3 concept? Not much.

The RS Q3 may have an awkward name, but the TT-RS drivetrain (turbocharged 2.5L 5-cylinder, 360 horsepower and a DSG gearbox) should liven things up for Audi’s baby SUV. 60 mph comes up in 5.2 seconds, and if you look closely, you’ll see that the tachometer has Chinese characters rather than numbers.

Although it’s officially a concept designed for Audi’s stand at the Beijing Auto Show, there’s no reason it couldn’t be produced. It almost makes the Porsche Macan seem even more redundant.




Derek Kreindler
Derek Kreindler

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  • Carguy Carguy on Apr 19, 2012

    So the way an Q3 RS is made is: 1. Take an A3 and lift the suspension to make it a Q3. 2. Lower the Q3 suspension again to make it more sporty. 3. Fit RS3 engine. 4. Pretend you have a new product.

  • Brett Woods Brett Woods on Apr 20, 2012

    All Audis and VWs look great and have lovely interiors but the reliability and longevity is crap. Many people know this and it stops them from being the top sellers.

    • Speed Spaniel Speed Spaniel on Apr 20, 2012

      That's why they make wonderful cars to lease. That's what I do and use my 4Runner as the reliable workhorse.

  • SCE to AUX The fix sounds like a bandaid. Kia's not going to address the defective shaft assemblies because it's hard and expensive - not cool.
  • Analoggrotto I am sick and tired of every little Hyundai Kia Genesis flaw being blown out of proportion. Why doesn't TTAC talk about the Tundra iForce Max problems, Toyota V35A engine problems or the Lexus 500H Hybrid problems? Here's why: education. Most of America is illiterate, as are the people who bash Hyundai Kia Genesis. Surveys conducted by credible sources have observed a high concentration of Hyundai Kia Genesis models at elite ivy league universities, you know those places where students earn degrees which earn more than $100K per year? Get with the program TTAC.
  • Analoggrotto NoooooooO!
  • Ted “the model is going to be almost 4 inches longer and 2 inches wider than its predecessor”Size matters. In this case there is 6” too much.
  • JMII Despite our past experience with Volvo my wife wants an EX30 badly. Small, upscale, minimalist EV hatch is basically her perfect vehicle.
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