Audi’s sales global growth has been fueled by long-time core models like the A4 and A6, but also by new additions to the lineup.
Overseas Audi is making a specific push on the volume side of things, introducing cars like the A1 minicar and now the Q3 crossover. In the near future, there will be more of an emphasis on the A3 than ever before, here and globally.
The Q3 crossover slots in below the current Q5, and competes head-to-head with BMW’s X1 (which has been a startling international success). The Q3 is smaller than usual for U.S tastes, and as such, it doesn’t look like it will be making its way to our shores.
The Q3 recently began production at a VW Group plant in Martorell, Spain. Now a new report out says that Audi could be readying a high-performance version of the CUV. So far, while Audi has pushed forward extensively with performance cars, it hasn’t included its crossovers the Q5 and Q7 in the equation.
Given rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz have performance offerings for their crossovers, that could change – and the Q3 seems like as good of a place as any to start. The most powerful engine currently available in the Q3 is a gasoline 2.0-liter TSFI four making 208 horsepower, and in diesel TDI form it makes 175 horsepower.
German magazine Auto Motor und Sport says that for a sport model Q5, Audi’s turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder could be used. The engine produces 335 horsepower in the recently-introduced RS3 sport hatch. In the Q5, its figure could come in at around 300 horsepower, with tuning designed to focus on more torque to move the more weighty crossover.
The new model could be called Q3 RS, although there was some earlier reports we’ve heard that said Audi has decided to not use that moniker for crossovers. Regardless of what it is called though, the sports Q3 is expected to make its European debut late next year.
