We're always talking about the earth getting warmer, but in some places in the world, it's still cold.
Like here, in the north of Sweden. It's minus ten degrees celsius over here, and that's kind of soft, because two days ago it was minus 25.
That's why Audi has come to the rescue, with this new RS Q3 Sportback. It emits so much CO2, that it has warmed up the earth by 15 degrees.
And if that wasn't enough, it has done so with an amazing soundtrack.
That's because the turbocharged 2.5-litre 5-cylinder in the front is the true star of the show.
It's such an amazing soundtrack. It sounds brutal, it sounds raw, edgy, you name it. It gives this car, which is already very quick,
even more personality and even more speed. I mean, it really goes like a rocket. 400 horsepower and 480 Nm of torque.
And it's available from 2.000 RPM to around 6.000 RPM, so it doesn't really matter what gear you're in.
You accelerate and you'll feel the turbo sucking all of the air around the car in, and that makes it go so incredibly fast.
Sure, 0-100 km/h in 4,5 is very quick, but all of the other four-wheel drive crossovers stop at those sprint speeds. This however,
this will keep going. It'll easily reach 150 and 200 km/h. Also, if you extend your limiter... So not removing it, only extending the limit,
you can go up to 280 km/h. That's crazy quick. Sure, they could've gotten that power out of the 4-cylinder, but it really needed this option.
It now has so much more personality now, and it needs that. Don't get me wrong, the car isn't bad at all,
but it's not sparkling like the engine does. And it all starts with the 7-speed S-Tronic double clutch automatic gearbox.
Those are able to change gear very quickly, but sometimes it takes a little too long before it kicks down. Especially when you let it change gear itself.
Sometimes, it's the same with changing up as well. If you use the flappy paddles yourself, it's a tad better, but still not great. Almost if the gearbox...
isn't able to cope with the engine. So it's not bad, but it could be better. Right, the chassis then. Well, first of all we're on a frozen lake, so it's not...
representative. Especially considering we're driving on spiked tires. However, I can tell you already it's not incredibly comfortable.
Other than that, it's a truly quick Audi, so it's very foolproof. Again, I'm on a frozen lake with non-road legal spiked tires,
and it's incredibly slippery here. The amounts of grip are very different, sometimes there's lots and sometimes there's none.
Despite those fluctuations, I'm almost able to drive it with one hand. There's lots of grip and traction, and because it's a Haldex-system,
it'll send power to the front wheels until they lose grip, and that's when power is sent to the back.
So yeah, you can easily put those 400 horsepower and 480 Nm of torque on the tarmac, or ice, without any effort.
However, that makes it a tad less challenging. Although, if you're not looking for challenging, and you just want to go fast with a great...
sound, this is one of the best options you've got. It could've been more special if you ask me.
The same goes for the interior. Sure, you've got a sports steering wheel and optional sports seats, but other than that it's just a RS Q3.
Having said that, it's a shame that the entry price of this car is €104.000, without options.
If you want the Sportback, the coupe-like version I'm driving right now, you'll have to pay €1.500 extra. And that's very expensive.
And it could've been more special for that price. On the other hand, it's an incredibly unique car, because it doesn't have a true competitor.
Something as a X2 M35i, or a Jaguar E-Pace P300, only produces up to 300 horsepower. Just like a Volkswagen T-Roc R.
If you want this kind of power or more, you should look for a BMW X4 M40i or a X4 M, or even a Porsche Macan GTS.
But that's a segment higher up, so the price is higher as well. The only thing that could come close to this, would be the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 S.
But that doesn't exist at this moment, and until it does, this is the best car available in its own, crazy little world.