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Time flies when you're selling shedloads of mini SUVs, and it's already mid-life update time for Audi's rather successful little Q3.
As such, you can't blame the German carmaker for playing it safe and sticking rigidly to the facelift rules to avoid rocking the boat.
Its range of turbocharged petrol and diesel engines get small power increases while trimming their fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures, while the chassis has been tuned for a little extra comfort. Hill descent assist now resides on the options list for a little extra off-road kudos.
Its appearance has had a minor tweak, too. The most notable change is its new single-frame, silver edge grille, which is bolder than before and appears on both regular and RS versions. The usual plethora of driver assistance systems sits on the options sheet, as does the ability to add fancy Google Maps graphics to the satnav.
While 2.0 TDI versions dip as low as 114g/km, warming the cockles of company car drivers, the RS Q3 has also had a healthy power increase. Its warbling 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo petrol engine now serves up 335bhp, a 29bhp hike, and 331lb ft, up 21lb ft.
That means its 0-62mph time now dips below five seconds, at 4.8sec, while the RS Q3's top speed remains an electronically limited 155mph. The seven-speed S tronic paddleshift gearbox has been fettled for quicker shifts, too.
Sales start in February 2015. UK prices will be confirmed shortly, but in its home market they're risen incrementally. So expect an entry point just below £25,000, while the RS Q3 should kick off close to £44,000.
Reckon this revised RS Q3 will be slightly more palatable than the old one? We'll find out very soon...
Audi RS Q3 vs BMW 330d vs Merc A45 AMG
Written By:- Stephen Dobie
More of this article on the Top gear website
