Audi enters the premium compact class of SUVs with the sporty and versatile new 2015 Q3

Q3 will join the already successful family of Audi SUVs that includes the Q5 and Q7
Q3 showcases many of the luxury and technology features found in the full-size vehicles offered by Audi
Available Fall of 2014 with a 200 hp 2.0-liter TFSI® engine and front-wheel drive and available Audi quattro® all-wheel drive


HERNDON, Va., Jan 9, 2014 - The new 2015 Audi Q3 will arrive in the U.S. in the Fall of 2014 and will join the already successful lineup of Audi SUVs that includes the Q5 and Q7. It will make its U.S. debut at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit on January 13th. The Q3 is a premium, compact SUV that pairs coupe-like looks with the utility of a SUV. Its quality engineering and advanced features offer ideal performance and functionality, but also advanced technology and driving dynamics.

"Coming off the recent A3 family announcement we are now for the first time entering into the premium compact class of SUVs with the introduction of the Audi Q3 into our line-up," said Scott Keogh, President, Audi of America. "Our growing SUV family will now offer three distinct products in the premium SUV category; and like the successful Q5 and Q7, the Q3 will continue with the established standards they started with regards to utility, technology, craftsmanship and performance."

Standard Features
The Audi Q3 comes generously appointed with a long list of standard equipment, including:
• 200 hp 2.0-liter TFSI® engine with six-speed Tiptronic® transmission
• Panoramic sunroof with power retractable sunshade
• Audi xenon plus front lighting with LED DRLs and taillights
• Heated, 12-way power front seats
• Leather seating surfaces
• Audi advanced key

Design and Body
The Audi Q3 model's coupe-like lines are an expression of its sporty character. This is demonstrated by:
• Low roof line, flat D-pillars, and a wraparound tailgate
• Distinctive exterior lighting
• Sharply drawn lines on the flanks frame athletically arched sheet metal surfaces - the defining shadow contour is the Tornado line
• The housings of the side mirrors sport LED turn signals
• Both the hood and tailgate are made of aluminum
• The signature, wedge-shaped headlights house xenon plus lighting and LED daytime running lights, which are combined with LED taillights, all standard
• The available power tailgate opens electrically, including via the remote key fob, and swings up to accommodate the spacious cargo area

Interior
The interior of the Audi Q3 is spacious and comfortable for all five passengers. Its elegant, ergonomic design boasts superior build quality. Evidence of the premium character of the Audi Q3 can be seen in every last detail in the interior craftsmanship, in the selection of the materials, in their processing and in the tight, consistent interior gaps.
• The cargo area offers a base luggage capacity of 16.2 cu ft. Folding down the split rear seatbacks increases this capacity to 48.2 cu ft.
• Standard LED interior lighting – a technology that bathes the interior in dramatic light
• Efficient white light-emitting diodes illuminate the doors, foot wells, vanity mirrors, storage compartments and the air vent thumb wheels. LED light guides even accentuate the cup holders
• When equipped with the BOSE Surround Sound system, the frames of the woofer/mid-range speakers in the front doors form elegant rings of white light
• The Q3 comes standard with two front airbags, thorax-pelvis side airbags in the backs of the front seats and side curtain head airbags. Safety belt tensioners up front, belt force limiters and the integral Audi head restraint system. Rear side airbags are optional.

Powertrain and Performance
The standard 2.0 TFSI four-cylinder engine in the Q3 produces 200hp and 207 lb-ft. of torque.
• Standard six-speed Tiptronic® transmission
• Front wheel drive standard, Audi quattro® permanent all-wheel drive available
• Optional Audi drive select system - allows drivers to adjust handling and response at the touch of a button. There are three drive select modes: Comfort, Dynamic, and Auto.

Chassis and Suspension
The Q3 brings more sportiness to the compact premium SUV class. Its balanced chassis combines agile handling, supreme safety and great road comfort.
• The Q3 model's front suspension is a sophisticated design featuring McPherson struts with forged aluminum lower wishbones. The rear includes a four-link rear axle with a separate spring/shock absorber arrangement to maximize interior cargo space.
• Electromechanical power steering with speed-dependent power assist
• ESC with offroad mode and hill descent assist
• Standard 18-inch wheel with optional 19-inch design available

Available Equipment
The Q3 showcases many aspects of Audi expertise found in our full-size luxury vehicles and makes that content and technological prowess available in a premium compact SUV.
• Sport package including front sport seats with adjustable thigh support
• Driver Assistance package including Audi side assist and Audi parking system with rearview camera
• Audi MMI navigation plus with 7.0-inch color monitor
• Power tailgate with a programmable preset opening angle
• The Prestige trim package includes extended infotainment and convenience features including Audi connect®
• Audi side assist uses radar to help make changing lanes easier
• BOSE Surround Sound system. This system features a ten-channel receiver delivering 465 watts of power to 14 speakers

Audi connect®
The 2015 Audi Q3 features the award-winning infotainment system, Audi connect®, when the Prestige trim package is ordered.
• Factory-fitted, in-vehicle Wi-Fi connectivity for passenger use, enabling the Audi connect system to deliver connectivity to up to eight wireless devices for passengers.
• The on-board Audi MMI navigation plus system is enhanced with Google Earth™ maps for a true aerial view of the route.
• Audi connect also features real-time localized weather, news and live fuel prices
• Google Voice™ Local Search for detailed information about travel destinations, such as restaurant or hotel hours, pricing and customer reviews
• myAudi Destination feature, which allows users to log on to Google Earth from virtually any location in the U.S. and download up to 50 destinations to the vehicle
• Audi also offers real-time Sirius XM® Traffic information via enhancements to the Audi MMI Navigation plus system (active Sirius XM® Traffic subscription required).

- End -

Audi of America, Inc. and its U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. AUDI AG is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. Audi was a top-performing luxury brand in Europe during 2012, and broke all-time company sales records in the U.S. Through 2016, AUDI AG will invest about $17 billion on new products, facilities and technologies. Visit www.audiusa.com or www.audiusanews.com for more information regarding Audi vehicles and business topics.

Note: Pricing and EPA numbers to be announced closer to the on sale date of Q3.

Where stated, fuel economy values are forecast manufacturer values for the USA; EPA estimates were not available at time of release. Mileage will vary and depends on several factors including driving habits and vehicle condition.

Always pay careful attention to the road, and do not drive while distracted.

Audi at Wörthersee Tour 2014
Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept show car with 525 hp
Board Member for Development Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg "Extreme power and dynamics in compact format"
Audi with total of two show cars and 10 production models on 2,000 square meters

Audi is presenting the A3 clubsport quattro concept at this year's Wörthersee Meeting in Reifnitz (Kärnten) from May 28–31. The concept study is based on the S3 Sedan* and has a five-cylinder TFSI engine under the hood producing 386 kW (525 hp). Visitors can also see the Audi TT quattro sport concept show car, which debuted at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, and ten production models.

"The Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept shows our car and tuning fans at the Wörthersee just how much sporty potential there is in the A3 family* and in our top‑of‑the‑line engines such as the 2.5 TFSI. We have pushed the limits in every respect with this show car: power, dynamics, sound, design," says Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development.

Based on the S3 Sedan*, the show car is equipped with a powerful five‑cylinder TFSI engine. The turbocharged engine with direct injection in the show car boasts an impressive success story. Since 2010, an expert jury has already voted it "International Engine of the Year" in its category four times in succession. The 2.5 TFSI powers the production Audi RS Q3*. In the show car, the 2,480 cc five‑cylinder produces 386 kW (525 hp) for a specific output of 155.6 kW (211.7 hp) per liter. With a total weight of 1,527 kilograms (3,366.5 lb), this corresponds to a power-to-weight ratio of 2.9 kilograms (6.4 lb)/hp. Maximum torque of 600 Nm (442.5 lb‑ft) is available between 2,300 and 6,000 rpm. The Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 310 km/h (192.6 mph).

Extensive modifications make this extreme performance possible. These include a large turbocharger with up to 1.5 bar of relative boost pressure and a modified intercooler.

The basic concept behind the five‑cylinder already makes it a special engine. The 1‑2‑4‑5‑3 ignition sequence gives it its own unique rhythm, which in the A3 clubsport quattro concept is reinforced by an intake and exhaust system designed for maximum throughput. The characteristic sound of this TFSI engine is a throaty snarl. In addition to earning top marks for sound and technology, the 2.5 TFSI is also visually stunning. The engine in the show car is only covered by a hood made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP).

The Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept features a seven‑speed S tronic with a compact three‑shaft layout. Its tall seventh gear reduces fuel consumption, and the final gear ratio has been modified accordingly. The driver can allow the dual‑clutch transmission to work fully automatically in modes D and S or choose to change gears manually using the paddles on the steering wheel or the shift lever. A launch control function manages starts with maximum power and controlled wheel slip.

The heart of the quattro all‑wheel drive system is a hydraulically activated, multi‑plate clutch on the rear axle that has been specially designed for the high torque of the powerful five‑cylinder. Like the engine management system, its electronic controller is integrated into the Audi drive select driving dynamics system and takes the combination of "fun to drive" and safety to a whole new level.

The clutch can direct a portion of the torque from the front to the rear axle if the driver turns sportily into a corner.

Its advanced chassis enables the Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept to deliver its tremendous power to the asphalt dynamically and safely.

Aluminum components in the front McPherson suspension reduce the weight of the unsprung masses. The four‑link rear suspension can process the longitudinal and transverse forces separately. The steering rack of the progressive steering system is designed so that the steering ratio becomes more direct with increasing steering input. In addition, steering boost decreases as speed increases.

Compared to the production Audi S3 Sedan*, the body has been lowered 10 millimeters (0.4 in) and both the springs and dampers are very taut. All three parameters can be adjusted via the struts of the coilover suspension so that the show car can be perfectly adapted to the task at hand, be it on the road or the race track.

The Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept rolls on 9.5 J x 21 wheels shod with size 275/25 R21 tires. The internally vented front brake discs measure 370 millimeters (14.6 in) in diameter. All four discs are made of carbon fiber‑ceramic, making them extremely lightweight and abrasion-resistant.
The ESC electronic stabilization control, which can be partly or completely deactivated, supports the show car's dynamic handling with lightning-fast reactions. At the cornering limit, torque vectoring via brief applications of the brakes of the inside wheels ensures that the Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept turns easily into the corner. It provides maximum control and reliability for drifts, with the front axle straightening the show car out again as it exits the corner.

The Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept is based on the modular transverse matrix (MQB). This enables a low center of gravity and a finely balanced distribution of axle loads, which is a prerequisite for the car's dynamic handling. Hot‑shaped steel components in the floor of the passenger cell form a strong structure. The extreme strength of the steel allows for thin walls and thus very low weights.

The lightweight body lays the foundation for the show car's low curb weight (without driver) of just 1,527 kilograms (3,366.5 lb). The result is a race car‑like power-to-weight ratio of just 2.9 kilograms (6.4 lb) per hp. The Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept is 4,490 millimeters (14.7 ft) long, 1,856 millimeters (6.1 ft) wide and 1,382 millimeters (4.5 ft) tall. Its wheelbase measures 2,631 millimeters (8.6 ft).

The spectacular appearance of the Magnetic Blue body immediately reveals the dynamics of the Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept. The Singleframe grille up front is framed in matt aluminum. A quattro badge adorns the grille's high-gloss black honeycomb insert, which has been optimized for high flow. The engine hood, whose front edge extends slightly over the grille and the LED headlights, sports the four rings.
A distinctive element at the front of the show car is the continuous blade of exposed CFRP below the Singleframe grille. Like the winglets on a model airplane, its ends are bent upward to structure the large air inlets framed in massive edges. As with a race car, a splitter at the bottom of the front skirt increases the downforce on the front axle.

The side view of the sedan has also gained some sharp accents. Two straight edges above the wheels that end in the doors contour the fender and the rear sidewall. The "blisters" give the body broad shoulders while also evoking the classic quattro models from Audi and the current RS 4 Avant*. The round fuel cover in the C‑pillars and the reduced side mirrors are further typical Audi sports car elements. The side sill trims are made entirely of CFRP (carbon fiber-reinforced polymer).

At the rear, a large diffuser that extends upward in the middle makes a bold statement. Three fins divide its high-gloss black honeycomb insert; two additional grilles joined by a blade conceal the tailpipes of the exhaust system.

When the driver of the Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept applies the brakes at high speed, the air brake is activated. Electrohydraulic actuated, the rear segment of the trunk goes from the spoiler position to nearly vertical in the blink of an eye. At 250 km/h (155.3 mph), the air brake reduces the stopping distance by around twelve meters (39.4 ft), in part because the ESC can allocate more braking power to the rear axle thanks to the increased downforce.

The cabin of the Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept seats four persons comfortably. Racing seats with high side bolsters await the driver and front passenger. The backrests are open-worked below the integrated head restraints and CFRP shells cover the backs – a visual expression of Audi's lightweight construction concept.

Black faces, red needles and white numbers define the look of the instrument cluster. A shift light in the tachometer indicates when the rev limit of 6,900 rpm is reached, and the seven‑inch monitor of the MMI navigation plus system displays a special graphic when the engine is started. Two large, separate buttons on the three‑spoke, multifunction sport steering wheel are used to start and stop the engine as well as to choose Audi drive select modes.

Black is the dominant color in the show car's interior. The seat covers feature light gray piping and contrast stitching in Sepang Blue. The headlining and the pillars are covered in black Alcantara, and the decorative inlays are brushed aluminum.

Fine details underscore the sportiness of the Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept. The footrest and pedals are made of stainless steel; two open-worked bars form the handles for the door openers. The selector lever of the seven‑speed S tronic sports a red ring, a CFRP badge and a Clubsport logo. The badge with the name of the show car can also be found on the instrument cluster and on the door sill trims.

This year's motto is "Audi Sport," and the Audi stand has been transformed into the Audi Pit Lane. In keeping with this, the A3 clubsport quattro concept is joined by a familiar sports car from the line of show cars and ten additional high-performance models from various vehicle classes, some of which feature attractive Audi Genuine Accessories.

Audi models at Wörthersee

This show car previously raised pulse rates and provided for a racing atmosphere at the Geneva Motor Show. Now the Audi TT quattro sport concept is underscoring the "Audi Sport" motto for Wörthersee with its sporty image and showing the dynamic potential of the new Audi TT* in its purest form. The engine in the Audi TT quattro sport concept makes a powerful statement. The 2.0 TFSI produces 309 kW (420 hp) at 6,700 rpm – a new benchmark in the two-liter category. Specific output is 155 kW (210 hp) per liter of displacement. The four‑cylinder engine has 450 Nm (331.9 lb‑ft) of torque available from 2,400 to 6,300 rpm, with over 300 Nm (221.3 lb‑ft) already available at just 1,900 rpm.

At a curb weight (without driver) of 1,344 kilograms (2,963.0 lb), the Audi TT quattro sport concept is an athlete in peak condition. Each hp supplied by the two‑liter TFSI, which itself weighs under 150 kilograms (330.7 lb), needs to move less than 3.2 kilograms (7.1 lb). The show car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 3.7 seconds.

When driving, the four‑cylinder unit's pronouncedly sporty character is breathtaking. The turbocharged direct-injection engine responds closely to the throttle and revs eagerly right up to the fuel cut-off at 7,200 rpm. The S tronic shifts gears lightning fast, adding its share to the show car's impressive acceleration.

The quattro permanent all‑wheel drive delivers the power to the road. For optimal weight distribution, the hydraulically actuated, electronically controlled multi-disk clutch is located on the rear axle. The quattro drive actively controls the distribution of torque between the axles in milliseconds, thus adding to the car's dynamic handling. The car turns easily into corners thanks to torque vectoring. Power is transferred as necessary from the wheels on the inside of the curve to those on the outside.

A significant part in the Audi TT quattro sport concept's lightweight design is played by the body, which is based on the MQB modular transverse matrix. With its hybrid concept, it represents the latest evolution of the Audi Space Frame (ASF). The front end is made of steel. The passenger compartment floor comprises high-strength, hot-shaped steel components which, thanks to their extremely high strength, feature very low wall thicknesses and thus weigh accordingly little. The superstructure of the cell, the complete outer skin plus the doors and the lids/hatches are made of aluminum.

The front end is dominated by flat Matrix LED headlights and the wide Singleframe grille flanked by massive air inlets. The show car rolls on 20‑inch wheels with locking hubs and semi-slick tires. At the rear, the wide CFRP diffuser that extends beyond the vehicle silhouette underscores the show car's racing character. A fixed wing increases the downforce on the rear of the Audi TT quattro sport concept.

The show car's interior has been reduced to the essential. Low-set racing buckets serve as seats, featuring black four-point seat belts with white accentuating stripes. The luggage compartment offers space for two racing helmets.

As in the production TT*, the controls are designed purely for the driver. The pilot of the Audi TT quattro sport concept sits behind a compact steering wheel with a pronounced rim that flattens out at the bottom.

But it's not just the show car that sets new standards with respect to automotive design and sportiness. Audi has been doing the same thing with three generations of the production TT since it debuted back in 1998. At the traditional Wörthersee GTI meet, the design icon is appearing at its most dynamic in the form of the new TTS Coupé*. Aerodynamic measures such as optimization of the underbody, the side air inlets, the 18‑inch wheels and the rear spoiler reduce the drag coefficient to 0.29. With its 2.0 TFSI, the Audi TTS* moves into high-performance territory: from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 4.7 seconds; top speed of 250 km/h (155.3 mph), 228 kW (310 hp) and 380 Nm (280.3 lb‑ft) of torque available from 1,800 to 5,700 rpm. Also revolutionary is the Audi virtual cockpit, the control and display concept with a pronounced focus on the driver, and the optional Matrix LED technology, in which individual, electronically controlled light-emitting diodes generate the high beam.

With the S1*, Audi is presenting a compact sports car at the GTI meet that more than lives up to its reputation with a 2.0 TFSI engine, 170 kW (231 hp) and 370 Nm (272.9 lb‑ft) of torque. With turbocharging and the Audi valvelift system, it accelerates the S1 from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 5.8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 250 km/h (155.3 mph). The 2.0 TFSI consumes on average just 7.0 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (33.6 US mpg) with 162 grams CO2 per kilometer (260.7 g/mi).

Another highlight hitting the market just in time for the open-air season is the Audi S3 Cabriolet*. The open four-seater with a cloth top and a curb weight of just 1,620 kilograms (3,571.5 lb) is powered by a 2.0 TFSI engine producing 221 kW (300 hp) between 5,500 and 6,200 rpm. As a true sports engine with 380 Nm (280.3 lb‑ft) of torque, it accelerates the convertible to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 5.4 seconds. The top speed of 250 km/h (155.3 mph) is limited electronically.

Besides the S3 Cabriolet, another S model from the A3 model family* awaits visitors to the Audi stand – the S3 Sedan*. The sedan sets new standards with respect to performance and efficiency. The 2.0 TFSI produces 221 kW (300 hp) and 380 Nm (280.3 lb‑ft) of torque, yet with the S tronic consumes on average just 6.9 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (34.1 US mpg). Systematic lightweight construction results in a curb weight of just 1,460 kilograms (3,218.7 lb) and enables the S3 Sedan to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 4.9 seconds.

The RS models representing the dynamic spearhead of each model series are also at Wörthersee. Built under the auspices of quattro GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of AUDI AG, the RS models feature the most powerful engines, quattro permanent all‑wheel drive, extreme driving dynamics, an understated appearance and full everyday utility.

The RS 5 Coupé* is a true athlete. Its 4.2‑liter, naturally aspirated V8 engine develops 331 kW (420 hp) and accelerates the coupe from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 4.5 seconds. Standard top speed is an electronically governed 250 km/h (155.3 mph), with an option to increase this to 280 km/h (174.0 mph).

The groundbreaking performer among the RS models is the RS 6 Avant*. It is lighter and more efficient than its predecessor while at the same time offering greater performance than ever. Equipped with 4.0 TFSI producing 412 kW (560 hp), it goes from standing still to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in just 3.9 seconds. Thanks to the cylinder on demand (COD) system, which temporarily deactivates four cylinders at low to intermediate loads, the RS 6 Avant consumes on average just 9.8 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (24.0 US mpg) – 30 percent less than the previous model.

The R8 V10 Spyder* takes it up a notch with respect to performance. The V10 engine produces 530 Nm (390.9 lb‑ft) of torque at 6,500 rpm and 386 kW (525 hp) at 8,000 rpm. Thanks to S tronic, the standard sprint is completed in 3.8 seconds on the way to a top speed of 311 km/h (193.2 mph) [manual: 4.1 seconds and 313 km/h (194.5 mph)]. The open-top, high-performance sports car also sets standard with respect to lightweight construction. The body – built in aluminum according to the Audi Space Frame (ASF) principle – weighs only 216 kilograms (476.2 lb). In 2013, the R8 was named a "red dot: best of the best" in recognition of its exterior design.

Also awaiting Audi fans at Wörthersee is a two-wheeled attraction: the Ducati Hypermotard SP is a "special guest" at the Audi stand. The SP has all the same equipment as the Hypermotard plus some additional technology, and with its Testastretta 11°, two‑cylinder engine is ideal for sports and performance-oriented riders. The same riding modes one finds on the 1199 Pangiale (high, medium, low) also help the Hypermotard SP to produce 81 kW (110 hp) at 9,250 rpm.

New accessories for the Audi A1, Audi Q3 and SQ5 TDI

The powerful 1.4 TFSI engine in the compact Audi A1 Sportback* produces a sporty 90 kW (122 hp). Beginning in 2015, the city car will also be available in the new color concept Macao Yellow. In combination with the black exterior finish, matt black cast aluminum wheels with a five-arm polygon design and the black headlining in the interior, the Macao Yellow interior will be a true visual highlight. Customers can also choose the eye-catching shade of yellow for certain add-on parts, such as the roof spoiler and the decals.

With an output of 130 kW (177 hp), the Q3 2.0 TDI* makes no secret of its sportiness, yet feels at home on any kind of road thanks to such standard equipment as an electromechanical parking brake and the hill-start assist. At Wörthersee, Audi is presenting an outdoor variant of the Q3 with Audi Original Accessories. It offers practical gadgets for the hobby athlete: a kayak rack and a newly developed concept called the "Q3 camping tent," which with a wind load rating of up to 70 km/h is also suitable for harsher weather. The tent structure can be removed from the supplied bag and set up in roughly seven minutes: roll it out, pump it up and the free-standing tent is ready. It can even be fastened to the open rear hatch of the Q3, if necessary.

The SQ5 TDI* made history at Audi as the brand's first S model with a diesel engine. The 3.0 TDI produces 230 kW (313 hp) and generates 650 Nm (479.4 lb‑ft) of torque between 1,450 and 2,800 rpm. The SQ5 TDI accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 5.1 seconds, yet consumes on average just 6.8 liters per 100 kilometers (34.6 US mpg). To ensure that it is also a powerful performer in everyday use, Audi offers a comprehensive range of accessories for the SQ5 TDI: a roof rack and new roof box, a bicycle rack for the trailer hitch, AWIA – Audi wireless internet access – for establishing a free Internet connection inside the car via WLAN and new cabin pockets (seatback pockets, rear seat storage bin).

Could be introduced early next year

The Audi Q3 has been on the market for a couple of years, so the company is preparing a minor facelift for their entry-level crossover.

Recently snapped by our spy photographers, the updated model is distinguished by a revised grille, restyled headlights and a new dual exhaust system. Additional changes appear limited but we wouldn't be surprised if the crossover has modified bumpers and minor interior changes.

Engine options will likely include the usual suspects so expect an assortment of familiar petrol and diesel units.

The facelifted Q3 is expected to be introduced at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, so expect to learn more details early next year.

Audi’s Q3 compact crossover is set to launch on the market this fall, but the vehicle’s been on sale elsewhere for the past couple of years and is due to receive a mid-cycle update soon. We’ve already seen spy shots of a prototype for a facelifted version of the regular Q3, and now we have spy shots of a prototype for a facelifted version of the high-performance RS Q3.

The changes include some minor revisions for the exterior, such as new graphics in the lights and different wheel patterns, and it’s likely we’ll see a few tweaks inside. One of those tweaks could be the adoption of a digital instrument cluster.

As the RS Q3 was all-new just a year ago, we’re not expecting any significant changes in the powertrain department. The current model is powered by the familiar five-cylinder TFSI found in the previous TT RS and RS 3 models, and peak output of the turbocharged and direct-injected 2.5-liter unit in the facelifted RS Q3 should remain at 310 horsepower and 309 pound-feet of torque.

The facelifted Q3 range, including the new RS Q3, is expected to go on sale in Europe in 2015. If the RS Q3 does get the green light for the U.S., we’re likely to see it launched sometime during the 2016 model year.