Detroit motor show: Audi Q3 Vail Concept
Audi has released details of its most powerful Q3 so far. Full details and gallery here.
2012 Detroit motor show A-to-Z listing
The most extreme version of the Audi Q3 has been launched in Detroit. The Vail, a winter sport themed concept, is the most powerful version of the compact crossover so far, and to go with the flared arches and 20-inch wheels, engineers at Ingolstadt have slotted in a slightly tweaked version of the 2.5-litre 5-cylinder TFSI engine, as found in the RS3 and TT RS.
This version of the highly regarded 5-pot is said to produce about 310bhp and 295lb ft, 15 less that the RS cars, but it is still enough to propel the Vail from 0-60 in 5.5 seconds, onto a top speed of 163mph.
Winter sports is the theme that Audi have picked for this concept, and as well as the performance upgrades, it is fitted with a whole raft of equipment suited to skiing or snowboarding, including an aluminium underbody guard, heated load-bay mat, and roof-rails designed to hold winter sports equipment.
Following the launch of the standard Q3 in the USA, this concept hints heavily at a production version of the high-powered Q3 for North America, and Europe, although there has so far been no official announcement.
