If your idea of a small SUV is something that’s also tremendously fast, then the upcoming Audi RS Q3 should definitely be on your radar as we expect it to put down as much as 400 PS. This prototype, spotted recently while undergoing tests at the Nurburgring Nordschleife, is wearing all the proper mechanical and visual bits that previous suspected RS Q3 prototypes weren’t ready for. 

While initial RS Q3 prototypes were very heavily camouflaged and weren’t even wearing their production tailpipes, this particular one has gone the other route, featuring its typical RS oval exhausts, to go with that large roof spoiler and a fairly-well masked rear diffuser – we can still kind of see it though.


Moving to the side of the car, we see that fender extensions have been added, along with the side skirts, bigger brakes and larger wheels, featuring a very intricate look. Finally, there’s the front of the car, which comes with large air intakes as well as the vehicle’s production grille, a design that seemingly will be on all new Audi RS models.

Despite not being able to clearly see its interior, we know that Audi will simply add their regular RS touches to the all-new Q3’s cabin, making it feel more driver-focused than before. Such touches usually include a perforated leather steering wheel, a different-looking shifter, carbon fiber trim, contrast stitching and of course, RS-specific logos.


As for its on-board tech, it will undoubtedly come with the automaker’s 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit gauge cluster, an 8.8-inch center dash infotainment display (or directly with the larger 10-inch one), standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, four USB ports, Wi-Fi hotspot, plus a wide array of active safety tech such as forward emergency braking, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert and more.

While you can purchase a brand new Audi Q3 with engines as small as a 1.5-liter TFSI with 150 PS and 250 Nm of torque, the flagship RS Q3 is expected to boast 400 PS and 480 Nm, courtesy of the RS3 Sportback’s 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine.

It’s safe to say that the RS Q3 will stand among the world’s fastest crossovers once it’s unveiled, sometime next year.