2020 Audi RSQ3 pricing and specs: Hot SUV debuts new reservation system

Pricing will start from $89,900 before on-road costs when local availability kicks off in August.

Audi’s performance portfolio will get a handy boost with the addition of the all-new RSQ3 range, complete with the first sloping-roofed Sportback variant.

The pair of compact SUVs will be the first to be offered through Audi's new online reservation system – which opens on February 13 at 10am, Eastern Time.

According to Audi, the new platform provides ‘a seamless and convenient means of securing the first available vehicles for some of the most desirable Audi models’.

Once the order has been placed, the rest of the sale is completed at the buyer’s preferred Audi dealer. 

Chief customer and marketing officer, Nikki Warburton, anticipates a strong customer experience.

"The Audi Online Reservations platform enables customers to configure their vehicle, calculate any finance options they might choose and even enter their trade-in details,” Warburton said.

“The system has been fully developed here to local Australian specifications, in order to provide a seamless experience for our customers. We look forward to seeing it launch with one of our most exciting vehicles to launch in 2020, the all-new Audi RSQ3 range.”

If you’re an Audi Quattro fan, five-cylinder engines are something of a performance legend – and the engine powering the RSQ3 promises to be no different.

Delivering 294kW and 480Nm, the 2.5-litre is mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission sending power to all four wheels. The 100km/h sprint takes just 4.5 seconds.

Standard equipment highlights include 21-inch alloy wheels, an RS sport exhaust, two new RS-specific drive modes, RS sport suspension with adaptive dampers, progressive steering, wheel-selective torque control, the black exterior package, metallic paint, rear privacy glass, matrix LED headlights, dynamic indicators, and bespoke RS dark-tinted light surrounds. 

Inside, the RSQ3 features sports seats, Nappa leather trim with honeycomb stitching, three-zone climate control and a 40:20:40 split second row.

There’s also plenty of standard safety kit, including adaptive cruise with active lane-keeping, 360-degree camera, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert, hill descent control, hill hold assist, AEB with both pedestrian and cyclist detection and tyre pressure monitoring. 

As with other RS models, the RSQ3 is fully loaded with technology. The RSQ3 gets navigation, Audi's brilliant virtual cockpit digital instruments with a 12.3-inch display, a 15-speaker sound system, wireless charging, Android Auto, and wireless Apple CarPlay. 

Local deliveries are expected to start in the middle of August. CarAdvice will have a full review of the new RSQ3 siblings from the international launch drive on the 19th of February.

2020 Audi RSQ3 pricing

Audi RSQ3 - $89,900

Audi RSQ3 Sportback - $92,900

All prices exclude on-road costs.