By GREG KABLE
Audi has provided the strongest hint yet that it plans to crown its Q5 lineup with an RS model by revealing a one-off, 408-hp, supercharged 3.0-liter V6 concept version of its compact SUV. The vehicle’s public premiere comes this weekend at the annual Woerthersee meet in Austria.

Although Audi officials are playing down the importance of the custom concept, insiders have told AutoWeek that it was constructed to provide customer feedback on a possible performance-oriented version of the Q5, the likes of which would almost certainly form part of the company’s future North American lineup.

Powering the trick Q5 is a heavily tuned version of Audi’s new supercharged, 3.0-liter, V6 direct-injection gasoline engine as introduced in 2008 to the latest-generation S4. While it delivers 333 hp in the S4, it is boosted by 75 hp for use in the Q5 custom concept, where it kicks out 408 hp at 6,000 rpm. Torque is also up by 44 lb-ft to 369 lb-ft on a band of revs from 3,000 rpm through to 5,500 rpm.

Drive is channeled to all four wheels through a beefed-up version of Audi’s seven-speed, dual-clutch S-tronic gearbox. Audi claims 0-to-62-mph acceleration in just 4.4 seconds, nearly a second quicker than the similarly equipped S4 and the same as the overtly sporty R8 4.2 V8.

Accompanying the engine-bay modifications is a reworked chassis. It picks up tracks that have been widened by 3.5 inches front and rear, taking them up to 67.3 inches and 67.1 inches, respectively. New springs and dampers reduced the Q5’s nominal ride height by 2.4 inches, giving the custom concept a more planted stance than its standard siblings.

Further changes include unique 21-inch alloy wheels and a body kit that adds deeper bumpers, wider sills and a prominent spoiler above the rear window.