RS special editions

It’s no secret that Australia has long been one of the strongest global markets for Audi Sport’s RS models for many years. Despite our relatively modest population and the fierce inter-brand competition Down Under, the high-performance RS models have always been warmly embraced by Australian customers.

In 2023 those high-performance enthusiasts will have reason to celebrate with the introduction of several special edition RS models making their way to the antipodes, starting with the RS Q3 Edition 10 years due to arrive in the second quarter of the year.

Produced in strictly limited numbers, only 555 will be built internationally with Audi Australia hoping to secure around 10 percent of that number, all in Sportback configuration. 

Arriving from $102,900* the RS Q3 Edition 10 years – as the name suggests – commemorates a decade since the Q3 became the first-ever Q model to join the coveted RS ranks. Launched in Australia in 2014, that first generation RS Q3 model was embraced by performance enthusiasts with 500 cars delivered here until 2019.

In 2020, Audi Australia introduced the second generation model which included a Sportback variant for the first time and that love affair with the compact high-performance, luxury SUV went into overdrive.

To date, 1600 of the second generation RS Q3 models have found homes here, with the Sportback variant proving to be even more popular than the SUV body shape.

The appeal of the RS Q3 comes as no surprise. The combination of its size and the high level of luxury appointment play a major role, as of course does the sharp external styling. But it is that added dimension of performance and handling that elevate the RS Q3 to elite status and has seen such a strong demand for the vehicle since its first introduction. Very much a case of having it all in the one, beautifully sorted package.

The showpiece of the vehicle is of course the famed five-cylinder, 2.5 TFSI powerplant which has won the coveted ‘International Engine of the Year’ award no less than nine times. This iteration is the same high-performance powerplant employed in other Audi performance specialists – the RS 3 Sedan and Sportback as well as the TT RS.

The 2.5-litre TFSI now produces a serious 294kW of power between 5850 and 7000rpm with maximum torque of 480Nm available between 1950 and 5850rpm. That translates to a 0 to 100km/h sprint of 4.5 seconds while still capable of delivering 8.9L/100km.

Mated to a seven-speed S tronic transmission with power down to all four wheels through quattro all-wheel drive, the RS Q3 Edition 10 years represents a serious performance package.

Visually too it has always struck a chord, the Sportback styling introduced with the second generation certainly attracting even more advocates to the model. For that reason the Edition 10 years will be offered here in Sportback only, with bespoke Audi Sport wheels measuring 21-inches adding to the the overall presence – their design reminiscent of the seven-spoke Avus wheels, but in an almost skeleton interpretation. The huge brake calibers within are finished in high gloss black combine with the black exterior styling package which includes the badging, while the RS Q3 Edition 10 years will also be available in the exclusive Chronos grey or Matt Dew Silver body colours.

The Matrix LED headlights also feature smoked highlights in keeping with the dark theme, along with privacy glass, while the tips of the twin oval exhaust are also finished in black.

Inside the exclusive features continue from the Audi Sport rhombus projected onto the road on entry, to the multi-function wheel in Alcantara, matt carbon inlays and black Dynamica elements.

Worthy of special mention are the RS bucket seats which are lighter than the usual RS sport seats thanks in large part to the beautifully finished, one-piece backs finished in matt carbon. Equally as impressive is the finish on the front of the seats, with their combination of Dynamica and fine Nappa leather with a honeycomb pattern that features subtle copper stitching. These also heated and offer electric adjustment as well as four-way lumbar support up front.

Indeed the level of equipment, design and the standard of execution is impressive. From the three-zone climate control to the colour ambient lighting with a choice of 30 colours to tailor the mood of the interior to perfectly match your mood.

Should you ever tire of the famous bark of the RS sport exhaust generated by the five-cylinder firing pattern, there is the 680 watt Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system with 15 speakers and of course Audi connect plus which allows you to connect to and interact with the outside world from your vehicle. 

The Audi virtual cockpit and MMI navigation plus with MMI touch response are of course standard inclusions, while Audi smartphone interface with wireless Android and CarPlay, as well as Audi phone box light wireless charging and two Bluetooth connections further enhance the onboard experience.

As important as the vehicle’s performance and luxury offerings are its safety and driver assistance systems. These too are state-of-the-art, with everything from adaptive cruise control to lane change warning (with blindspot alert), rear cross traffic, hill descent control and emergency assist, right down to surround view cameras with curb view and direct tyre pressure monitoring.

It’s a comprehensive package that accentuates all of the qualities that have made the RS Q3 such a resounding success since its launch 10 years ago. 

But the RS Q3 Edition 10 years is just the start of a wave of special edition RS models due to arrive in Australia this year, with the Audi RS 4 competition, RS 5 Sportback competition as well as the RS 6 and RS 7 Performance models also confirmed for Australia in the second half of 2023.

These will build on the tremendous performance and handling of the respective models on which they’re based, with the RS 4 and RS 5 Sportback competition receiving recalibrated transmission and retuned biturbo V6 developing 331kW of power and 600Nm of torque. This results in a 0.2 second reduction in the 0 to 100km/h time from 4.1 to 3.9 seconds (RS 4 Avant) and 3.8 seconds for RS 5 Sportback, while the top speed for both models has also been revised up to 290km/h.

Featuring milled 20-inch rims in new colour finishes along with black badging and design elements, the RS 4 and RS 5 Sportback will have their own defining visual features. But these vehicles are very much performance oriented, with the likes of coilover suspension that can be fully adjusted for track work and dynamic steering with a quicker fixed ratio rack for even greater responsiveness, on the list of potential additions for Australian delivered cars.

Joining these two on Australian roads in the second half of the year, the RS 6 Avant and RS 7 Sportback performance models will also be more potent than before, with their 4.0 TFSI V8 bi-turbo producing 463kW and a massive 850Nm of torque.

These figures represent a significant increase of 22kW and 50Nm respectively, shaving 0.2 seconds off the 0 to 100km/h time bringing it down to a lightening 3.4 seconds.

The top speed of 280km/h has also been increased on these models to 305km/h with recalibrated transmission, lighter centre differential and 8kg less insulation which further accentuates the exhaust growl in the plush cabins.

Optional 22-inch lightweight rim shod in state-of-the-art Continental Sport Contact 7 rubber will also be available, giving an even more surefooted feel across a variety of road conditions.

Visually customers will be able to choose between matt grey or black highlights for the front spoiler and side inserts as well in the rear diffusor, side skirts and window surrounds and wing mirrors housings to create a visual difference. Inside the cabin, a choice of finishes in blue or carbon finish along with bespoke display modes within the virtual cockpit are ‘performance model’ only additions.

Pricing and full specification for the RS 4 Avant and RS 5 Sportback competition as well as the RS 6 and RS 7 performance models will be announced closer to their Australian introduction in the second half of the year.