When it comes to the Audi Q3, two big things happened for the 2015 model year. The first was a refresh that gave the car a sportier look with mild changes to the front end. In addition to the mild facelift, Audi->ke14 also brought the Q3->ke2666 to U.S. shores for the first time. Of course, we didn’t get the plethora of engines available in other markets, but hey, at least we got the Q3. Now that we’re slowly crossing days off the 2016 calendar, Audi has dropped the news that a performance variant of the RS Q3 – called the Audi RS Q3 Performance – is in the works and will make its debut at the Geneva Auto Show->ke228 in March of 2016.

Naturally, the performance-minded RS Q3 will take on some significant changes to differentiate it from the standard RS Q3. There will be minor changes to the exterior, as well as some significant changes to the interior. In addition to that, a performance-optimized engine and chassis come together to make this little crossover->ke288 something that dreams are made of.

So far, the RS Q3 Performance has only been given a European emissions classification (Euro 6,) so it doesn’t look like it is coming to the States anytime soon. Hopefully, that will change in the future but, until it does, let’s take a look at what our neighbors on the other side of the drink can expect from the Audi RS Q3 Performance.

Continue reading to learn more about the Audi RS Q3 Performance.

Exterior

The RS Q3 Performance is the third model to join Audi’s RS performance lineup, sitting alongside the RS 6 Avant and the RS 7 Sportback. As you might expect, the RS Q3 takes on the same general styling that is seen on its other performance-oriented siblings. Up front, you’ll notice subtle changes that set the RS-variant apart from the standard Q3. The standard grille has been replaced with a gloss black grille that has a honeycomb design. Down below, air vents have been added to the fascia’s corner inserts. Those inserts, by the way, also take on the same honeycomb design as the grille.

In comparison to the standard Q3, there aren’t any significant changes to the side of the vehicle. The same titanium-looking finish from the air vent ducts up front have been applied to the mirrors, window trim, roof rails, and side-view mirrors.

Around back, you’ll notice that the RS Q3 performance has a sculpted diffuser that is painted gloss black. The rear fascia has a little more character than on the standard model with new styling below the fascia-mounted reflectors. Because the RS Q3 performance comes standard with the Audi’s RS exhaust system an oval exhaust outlet protrudes from the rear diffuser.

The model shown in the images here has the optional Ascari blue metallic finish that is an exclusive option for the RS Q3 Performance. Other exterior options include a matte aluminum or Gloss black styling package. Personally, I would like to see some dark tinted windows here. Dark windows in combination with that Ascari blue metallic finish would really tie the exterior together.

Interior

The standard seats of the Q3 will be replaced by sport seats that are embossed with the RS Q3 logo, and wrapped in black Alcantara and leather. A black and blue color scheme for the seats is also available with the optional RS performance design package. The RS Q3 Performance will have a flat-bottom, leather-wrapped steering wheel. With the black and blue color scheme, blue contrast stitching will be used throughout on the seats and the shifter boot.

In addition to the black and blue theme, the seats can also be had in black or lunar silver Nappa leather that is held together by gray stitching. As you can see from these images, the black and blue color scheme includes diamond-shaped inserts in the middle of the seat, also offset by the blue stitching. Furthermore, inserts on the door trim, dashboard and around the shifter also set off the black and blue scheme with a diamond pattern.

To further differentiate the model on the inside, the standard gauge cluster will also take on some new colors. The black background of the gauges has been traded for a gray background, with bright white lettering and bright red needles. The driver information center in the middle will show boost pressure and oil temperature. When the RS menu is activated the information center will display a lap timer – yup, Audi even thought of that for the RS Q3 Performance. The MMI infotainment system and Audi sound system will carry over from the standard Q3 and RS Q3, but that system is already impressive as it is, so that really isn’t a big deal.

Drivetrain

This little performance crossover is powered by a hand-built 2.5-liter, TFSI engine that pumps out 367 horsepower and 343 pound-feet of torque. That isn’t too bad at all when you consider that is enough to push the RS Q3 Performance to 62 mph in just 4.4 seconds. In case you don’t know, this is the same engine that has been named the International Engine of the Year for the last six years.

Power from the 2.5-liter is sent to the wheels all four wheels via a modified seven-speed S Tronic. According to Audi, the transmission has very short shift times, with the lower gears spaced closer together. This dual clutch transmission will shift automatically on its own unless you’re feeling frisky and want to shift with the standard shift paddles on the steering wheel. The all-wheel drive system is permanent, but an electronically controlled clutch on the front axle distributes power between the front and rear axles as needed, depending on driving mode.

To keep the RS Q3 Performance stable under heavy acceleration and tight maneuvers, the RS sport suspension system has active dampers that can be set to one of three modes – comfort, auto, and dynamic. In addition to that, the suspension system also drops the body by 0.8-inches in comparison to the standard Q3. The performance crossover comes standard with 20-inch wheels and eight-piston brake calipers all the way around. Those calipers come standard with a bright red finish, but Audi will paint them black for no additional charge.

Safety

Audi didn’t mention much regarding safety in its press release about the RS Q3 Performance, but it is safe to assume that it comes will all of the safety features found in the standard Q3 and RS Q3. In addition to that, Audi’s parking system plus and LED headlights will also come standard on this model.

Prices

Orders are already being taken for the RS Q3 Performance in Germany with a price of €61,000 or $68,237 at current exchange rates. To give you an idea, that is about €32,000 more than the standard Q3, and about €5,000 more than the current RS Q3.

Competition

Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 4Matic

The Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 4Matic has a significantly smaller engine compared to the RS Q3 Performance, but that doesn’t take it out of the running as a competitor. The GLA 45 comes with a 2.0-liter (1,991 cc) inline, four-cylinder engine that produces 381 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. That’s 14 horsepower and 132 pounds more than the RS Q3 Performance. That power pushes the GLA 45 matches the RS Q3 Performance to 62 mph with a time of just 4.4 seconds. In Germany, the GLA 45 4Matic starts out at €58,393, about €3,000 cheaper than the RS Q3 Performance.

Read our full review on the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 4Matic here.

Porsche Cayenne S

The Porsche Cayenne S is a more expensive than the RS Q3 Performance, with a starting price of €81,016. For that money, you get 414 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque from a six-cylinder engine. The thing with the Porsche is, however, that you’re really paying an extra €20,000 for the name, because the Cayenne can’t even match the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 or the RS Q3 Performance to the 62 mph benchmark. No, it actually falls short, with the Cayenne taking 5.5 seconds to hit 62 mph. Then again, the Cayenne is a tad bit larger than the RS Q3 Performance. Be that as it may, it is still Porsche's best competitor for Audi’s new model without stepping up to the more expensive and larger Cayenne GTS or Cayenne Turbo.

Read our full review on the Porsche Cayenne S here.

Conclusion

I like the fact that Audi can wrestle with the likes of the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 and the Porsche Cayenne, but I’m not sure the work going into the RS Q3 Performance is really worth the creation of a whole new model. To me, it would make more sense to offer everything that comes with the RS Q3 Performance as a package for the RS Q3. It seems that sales of the RS Q3 will suffer as it would simply make more sense to spend the extra €5,000 and go with the RS Q3 performance. Regardless of that point, I still like where Audi is going with this model, if it has to be a model of its own. The 4.4-second sprint to 62 mph isn’t bad at all, and it competes with Mercedes-AMG and Porsche a little better than the RS Q3 can. Now, the next thing on my mind is what I have to do to convince Audi to bring the RS Q3 Performance to the U.S.