Home

Audi

Q3

News

Audi SQ3 Prototype Sounds Angry On The Nürburgring

The hot crossover could come with as much as 340 horsepower.

Audi SQ3 Nurburgring Video

Jeff Perez Jeff Perez

By: Jeff Perez

Jul 18, 2018 at 3:33pm ET

Add Motor1.com as a preferred source in Google

Share

Comment

Something tells us the new Audi Q3 will be a handsome thing – maybe it was the spy photos we saw of it almost completely uncovered, or maybe it was the close-to-reality rendering our artists pieced together. But it won't be the only offering in the range; Audi has two hot SQ3 and an RS Q3 versions of the small crossover planned. Someone managed to capture the former on film showing off its skills on the Nürburgring.

The two-and-a-half minute clip shows the crossover sprinting around the 'Ring wearing its best disguise. But there are a few notable cues that give us hints as to its sporty characteristics. For one, it rides lower than the standard model. Not to mention the wheels and brakes are both larger, too.

Regular model revealed:

2019 Audi Q3 Gets Athletic New Look And Even More Tech

2019 Audi Q3: How Does It Stack Up To The Competition?

The front fascia has a more defined look with larger vents at each corner and an aggressive lower diffuser. In the rear, the SQ3 hides a set of set of S-specific quad exhaust tips that give off a more-aggressive sound. If you weren't already blasting the speakers, you should be.

We don't know what's underhood, but no doubt there's an engine more powerful than its standard sibling. Our best guess would be an updated version of VW's turbocharged 2.0-liter with upwards of 300 to 340 horsepower (223 to 253 kilowatts) on tap. The RS Q3, meanwhile, could get as much as 400 hp (298 kW). And just like every Audi SUV before it, the SQ3 should come with Quattro all-wheel drive.

What do you think?

View

Comments

The new Q3 will show up this fall before going on sale in Europe and the U.S. later in the year. Don't expect go-fast versions like the SQ3 or the RS Q3 to arrive until after that, and a sporty Q4 coupe-UV – to compete with cars like the BMW X2 and Mercedes-Benz GLA – to show up even later.

Source: Automotive Mike / YouTube

Gallery: 2020 Audi SQ3 spy photos

Audi

2020 Audi SQ3 spy photo

32

2020 Audi SQ3 spy photo 2020 Audi SQ3 spy photo 2020 Audi SQ3 spy photo 2020 Audi SQ3 spy photo 2020 Audi SQ3 spy photo 2020 Audi SQ3 spy photo

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motor1.com?

Take our 3 minute survey.

- The Motor1.com Team

Share this Story

GO TO COMMENTS

(

)

Got a tip for us? Email: tips@motor1.com

View all comments ( )

Popular

The Corvette Spent 70 Years Building Its Legacy. There's No Reason To Dilute It Now

The Corvette Spent 70 Years Building Its Legacy. There's No Reason To Dilute It Now

Scout Has 212,000 Reservations. Here's What Those Drivers Own

Scout Has 212,000 Reservations. Here's What Those Drivers Own

Subaru Wants To Save The Gas Engine With A More Efficient Boxer

Subaru Wants To Save The Gas Engine With A More Efficient Boxer

Honda Secretly Showed Dealers Its Future Models, Including The Element. Here's What They Said

Honda Secretly Showed Dealers Its Future Models, Including The Element. Here's What They Said

Scout Is Finally Building Real Vehicles At Its $2-Billion Factory

Scout Is Finally Building Real Vehicles At Its $2-Billion Factory

Latest Stories

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU



Only One Of These Crossovers Passed The IIHS’s Updated Crash Test



Dodge Gets A New CEO While Tim Kuniskis Gets A Promotion



Audi’s Next RS6 Avant Is Coming To America, And The RS5 Avant Could Follow



Scout's New Factory Can Build A Truck Every 88 Seconds



Audi Nuvolari Costs $700,000. And It Will Be Rare In America



Not All Gas Engines Work The Same. Here's What Makes Them Different



RIP: Audi A8 Production Ends, But A Successor Is Planned