Audi RS Q3 Performance going from being crossover to hot hatch

The car's latest iteration can get to 62mph just one tenth of a second slower than a BMW M3

Audi have taken the Q3 RS and added 27bhp and 11ft lb of torque

It started out as a crossover vehicle, but the Audi RS Q3 Performance is certainly becoming more of a hot hatch in performance terms.

In fact, this latest iteration can get to 62mph just one tenth of a second slower than a BMW M3. Not bad for what vaguely looks like a soft-roader.

Audi have taken the Q3 RS and added 27bhp and 11ft lb of torque. This should give a 0-62mph of just 4.4sec.

You can see the car unveiled at Geneva next month

They have also taken off the speed limiter, so the RS’s 155mph now becomes 167mph. Those are quite big jumps, and Audi claim they have done it without affecting fuel consumption or emissions at all. Clever.

Power is coming from the 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder diesel engine, and now peaks out at 362bhp and 343lb ft of torque. Mechanically, the engine is the only change, so it still powers through an S tronic seven-speed auto box which feeds the all-wheel drive system.

The new car delivers a big dollop of performance for the money

It can be had in Ascari blue metallic paint, and the trim features matt titanium finish. You can see the car unveiled at Geneva next month, where they will announce the prices, starting at £49,175. That’s £3365 more than the standard model. That’s a big dollop of performance for the money.