By Derek Ogden, Marque Motoring
One of the most popular pastimes in the world, Monopoly, and the Audi RS Q3 sports utility vehicle have much in common.
The board game deals with high finance and real estate, the SUV high performance motoring; both rely heavily on figures.
The latter has just added a lot more of the latter to the list with its RS Q3 Sportback Edition 10 Years, as the suffix suggests with reference to its decade of success. Audi is making only 555 specials in celebration, with a ‘healthy number’ slated for Down Under.
“This edition pays great tribute to the best of SUV performance in the RS Q3 Sportback,” says Audi Australia director Jeff Manning, who has no doubts about the sales success of the anniversary edition in this country.
“Australia as a market is so performance focused and I have no doubt that owners will enjoy exclusive RS touches in this special model,” he adds.
The RS Q3 Sportback 10 Years is based on the storied RS Q3 with a raft of unique features inside and out, not least the award winning 2.5 TFSI turbocharged five-cylinder motor, producing an unrivalled bass note.
In keeping with this is an exclusive collection of accoutrements such as black 21-inch alloy wheels, matching Audi badging and brake callipers, plus race-inspired front bucket seats with contrasting copper honeycomb stitching.
The RS Q3 Sportback Edition 10 Years comes with Audi’s five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, plus 12-year manufacturer warranty for bodywork against corrosion. Owners also receive membership during the warranty period to the Audi Experience with access to exclusive events, Ambassador experiences and premium partner offers.
STYLING
Stand-out exclusive colours are Dew Silver matt or metallic Chronos Grey, the latter providing a strong base for darkened matrix LED headlamps, with dynamic turn indicators and matching wing mirror housings.
A glossy black roof frame, window rims, and door trim point the way to copycat front spoiler blades and diffuser insert. The Audi four rings cling to the single frame radiator grille and rear together with the model lettering.
INTERIOR
Race-style front bucket seats have a lot going for them – big bolsters for snug lateral support (handy on dramatic direction changes) and covered in leather and Dinamica, black with contrasting copper coloured honeycomb stitching and backrest in matt carbon.
Here’s the bad news: while both seats are heated, they are reduced to manual adjustment; no power here. This is not what we have become used to in a $100,000 car.
Never mind, the RS sport steering wheel makes up for the absence, being clothed in sexy suede-style Alcantara with copper stitching, which is repeated in the gear lever gaiter. Ambient LED lighting adds the finishing touches to the luxe surroundings.
The RS Q3 Edition Ten Years leaves its unique signature with illuminated door sill trims and a red 3-D diamond projected onto the ground when the door is opened.
Saying the car is a five-seater is stretching things; the rear is short on width. The boot will take 530 litres of cargo with the 60:40 rear seat backs up, expanding to 1400 litres with them folded. An electric tailgate includes gesture control.
The RS Q3 Edition Ten Years leaves its unique signature with illuminated door sill trims and a red 3-D diamond projected onto the ground when the door is opened.
INFOTAINMENT
The set-up features MMI navigation through a 10.1-inch touch screen, Audi Connect Plus, Audi phone box light and wireless smartphone charging.
There are two USB-C power outlets up front, along with a 12V plug down by twin cup holders.
Audi virtual cockpit plus with a 12.3-inch display can be configured to present the driver with several layers of easily accessible information to maximise the driving experience, or not.
ENGINES/TRANSMISSIONS
The award winning TFSI five-cylinder engine pumps out 294 kW of power, 17 per cent more than the previous RS Q3 motor. Maximum torque of 480 Nm, on tap between 1950 and 5850 rpm runs the quattro permanent all-wheel drive via a seven-speed S tronic dual clutch transmission.
SAFETY
ANCAP safety is not rated, as is the case with many sports specials. However, there is no skimping on active safety, with adaptive cruise assist with Stop&Go function, Audi pre-sense front with autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning and lane keeping assist.
The 360-degree cameras, plus rear and front parking alarms instil confidence when faced with crowded car parks.
DRIVING
And so to the Audi RS Q3 Sportback Edition 10 Years figures. The Car can hit 100km/h from standstill in 4.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 250km/h. Audi claims fuel consumption of 8.9 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined urban/highway cycle.
The test car recorded just over 10 litres per 100 kilometres in city stop/start motoring and 6.4 litres per 100 kilometres on a mainly motorway run. That apart, it’s the accompanying exhaust note that really takes the cake.
The odd number of cylinders with their unique firing order of 1-2-4-5-3 deliver a deep sonorous sound via twin barrels with exhaust flap control and gloss black oval tailpipe trims.
The RS sport suspension with adaptive dampers has the car on best behaviour around city streets but still gets a grip when things are set loose on fast bends or sharp corners.
Bits to play with include driving modes, powertrain monitoring and performance tracking.
Positive steering is backed up by Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system, while braking has the heft to pull up the vehicle with the assurance the driver demands of a high-performance sports car.
SUMMARY
The anniversary RS Q3 is available in Sportback only, the SUV not given a guernsey, which is how it should be. Buyers will have to be quick to join the celebrations.
RATINGS
Looks: 8/10
Performance: 9/10
Safety: 7/10
Thirst: 5/10
Practicality: 6/10
Comfort: 7/10
Tech: 8/10
Value: 7/10
