News Source: topspeed.com

First unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show,  the Audi RS Q3  has developed quite a nice following over in Europe. I wish I could say the same thing here in the US, but since it’s not available in this part of the world, any form of chest-beating for the high-powered crossover would be irrelevant.

Audi seems to be perfectly happy with the reception the RS Q3  has received across the Atlantic and customers in that area are just as happy knowing that German tuner ABT Sportsline has just unveiled a tuning kit for the high-powered Q3  crossover.

The kit is typical ABT Sportsline.  No flash, all substance. Sure, it has some decal stripes to add some flavor to the RS Q3’s appearance, but everything else included in the kit is there for the purpose of improving the crossover’  s performance and handling capabilities. The engine upgrade, in particular, is impressive. Same thing with the suspension modifications that resulted in a lower and wider stance for the RS Q3.

There’s a lot to like about this new kit for the RS Q3. The fact that it comes from ABT Sportsline is probably the least surprising thing about it.

ABT Sportsline operates under the guise of subtlety and that was pretty clear with the exterior package on the Audi  RS Q3. On the cosmetic side, the tuning shop is offering a pair of decals, one on the body and one on the rear skirt. The body decal is available in either black or red colors while the rear skirt decal comes with more varied color option. These include Anthracite, Black gloss, silver, or the always interesting “grid look”. New mirror caps are also part of the list, as is a new rear skirt set that includes a four-pipe stainless steel exhaust system.

Wheel options are also included in the package and are available in either 19-, 20-, or 21-inch measurements. ABT is also opening its DR-, ER-C-, and FR-Design wheels for customers, giving them some options to choose from. The tires, available in either Continental or Dunlop brands, also come in different sizes: 255/40 R19, 255/35 R20 or 255/30 R21. Somewhat predictably, ABT Sportsline’s interior upgrade for the Audi RS Q3 mainly consists of cosmetic additions to bring some life to the crossover’s cabin. There are new floor mats, trunk mats, and door entrance lights, all of which come with the standard ABT Sportsline branding. That’s the extent of the upgrades on the cabin of the Q3, so customers looking for a little more are probably better off looking someplace else to get luxury interior trims.

Audi’s award-winning 2.5-liter turbo engine sits at the heart of the Audi Q3, and while it’s already snatching up awards left and right, the engine still has room for some improvements. That’s what ABT Sportsline zeroed in with its engine program. As expected, the German tuner once again taps into its New Generation tuning kit, which has made quite an impression on ABT’s other recent programs. This time, the New Generation kit is able to extract a total of 410 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque out of the 2.5-liter turbo engine. That’s a 20-percent increase from the standard 340 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque that is output of the award-winning engine.

No performance numbers were announced, but with the standard Q3 capable of sprinting from 0 to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds, the improved output should allow the crossover to slash off around three-tenths of a second from its 0-to-62-mph time. Top speed is likely still limited to 155 mph. Lower and wider. That’s the extent of ABT Sportsline’s suspension upgrade on the Q3 crossover. With the engine modifications in tow, the German tuner also has an adjustable suspension kit that can lower the front and rear axles of the crossover from 0.6 inches to 1.78 inches. Wheel spacers measuring 4x0.6 inches and 4x0.98 inches helps give the crossover a wider and more assertive appearance. Pricing details are subject to inquiries, so if a customer is interested in knowing more about the tuning kit, contacting ABT Sportsline directly is the quickest and surest way to get an accurate price quote.