Audi has two decades of history with its high-performance RS sub-brand, and the manufacturer continues roll it out and create a basket of very fast halo products.
Enter the RS Q3, the hottest version of the Q3 small SUV. True to the company’s heritage (barmy four-wheel drive turbo cars) this model gets a 310hp 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged engine, which powers all four wheels via the firm’s well-known quattro system.
It’s preposterously fast and brash in the way it delivers its power: expect 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds and a very limited 155mph top speed, and it’s wonderfully loud, too. For fleets at all bothered about the running costs, you’re looking at 32.1mpg and 206g/km, although residual values are strong. The Audi RS Q3 is hardly core fleet territory, but it serves a purpose for both the privileged and, more importantly, to foster Audi’s performance image.
