The Audi Q3 range, including the hot RS Q3, has been given a visual and mechanical makeover as it heads into its mid-life phase.
A new design treatment for the Audi’s single-frame grille, which now has a bolder metal-like border treatment that bleeds into the headlights, clearly marks the updated model out from its forebears.
The eagle-eyed will also notice the revised car’s tweaked front and rear bumpers, side sills, and head- and tail-light graphics.
The engineering department has made detail changes to the Q3′s engine lineup, with many variants gaining an extra spoonful of power while also returning improved fuel economy numbers.
For petrol buyers there’s a 110kW 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, as well as 132kW and 162kW variants of the 2.0-litre turbo four-pot; the latter two options now boast 7kW more than before.
Those who prefer diesel power can choose between the 110kW and 135kW versions of the company’s 2.0-litre turbo-diesel plant, up 7kW and 5kW respectively.
Standard features, at least on the continent, include xenon headlights, LED driving lights and automated post-crash braking. Optional equipment extends to LED head- and tail-lights, blind spot monitoring, lane keeping assistance, satellite navigation and Wi-Fi hotspot functionality.
The revised Q3 range will go on sale across Europe from February 2015. We’re waiting to hear back from Audi Australia as to when the updated range will arrive here.
Despite being the youngest member of the Q3 family, the RS variant (above) has also received an update in line with the rest of the range. Aside from its updated looks, the RS Q3 now sports more power, with the 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo boosted to 250kW of power and 450Nm of torque.
That’s up 22kW and 30Nm from the car that we described, when we reviewed it, as “quick, but perhaps not as fast as an RS perhaps should be”. The extra power means that the updated model can race from 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds, 0.4 seconds quicker than before; the electronically limited top speed of 250km/h remains untouched.
Standard items on the RS Q3 include 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, larger and lighter disc brakes, and a switchable flap that boosts the volume of the five-pot engine. On the options list are 20-inch rims and adaptive dampers.
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