2016 Audi RS Q3 Performance Version

Audi's powerful compact crossover just became more interesting with a new Performance addition, which brings a power boost and exclusive equipment. The 2.5-liter TFSI five-cylinder engine has had its cooling capacity increased in the main radiator and fuel pump optimized in order to squeeze an extra 27PS (27hp), to a total of 367PS (362hp) and 465Nm (343lb-ft) of torque.

Thanks to the extra oomph, the Audi RS Q3 Performance needs 0.4 seconds less for the 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint, at 4.4 seconds, while top speed has also increased from the previous electronically limited 250km/h (155mph) to 270km/h (168mph). Audi's engineers have tuned the standard 7-speed S tronic transmission too, which sends power to both axles. The automaker offers the RS sport suspension plus with damper control as an option, for this models.

Exterior features include updated bumpers with large air inlets up front and "heavily profiled diffuser insert" at the rear, honeycomb grilles, matt titanium-look finish for the add-on parts, Quattro logo, roof edge spoiler, roof rails, RS-specific 20-inch wheels with five twin-spoke V design and the Ascari Blue metallic paint.

Inside, the four-ring brand offers sport seats in black and blue, blue contrast stitching on the RS sport leather-wrapped steering wheel, gear lever, center armrest and floor mats, gray faces for the dial instruments, white dials and red needles.

The Audi RS Q3 Performance is already available for order in Germany, where costs €61,000 ($66,900), while the "regular" RS Q3 starts from €56,600 ($62,000). In the UK, it's expected to open for order later this month priced from £49,175 OTR. Customer deliveries will begin in the second quarter of this year, but the vehicle will debut at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, in March.

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Audi A3 Sportback E-Tron

The Audi A3 Sportback e-tron has been named a finalist for the 2016 Luxury Green Car of the Year award, as well as the 2016 Connected Green Car of the Year award. Not bad for a compact hatchback that has very little to do with outright performance, which is what Americans generally expect from these types of sporty C-Segment cars, once already paying premium prices. The A3 Sportback e-tron however costs upwards of $37,900.

Still, you get a much more enjoyable car to drive compared to, say a Prius - which tends to be the popular choice. And that's OK, especially if you need more size and practicality. But if the A3 Sportback is "enough" for you, the e-tron might just be worth considering.

On January 21st 2016, at the Washington Auto Show, the A3 Sportback e-tron will find out if its nomination for the two previously mentioned awards will materialize into an actual prize. The two awards "recognize vehicles that exhibit laudable environmental achievement," according to Green Car Journal. "Along with improved environmental performance, traditional buyer touchstones like functionality, safety, quality, value and performance are also considered."

As for the connected award, the magazine will look at "the integration of connected technologies that enhance efficiency, safety and the driving experience."

Back in November, the A3 Sportback e-tron was also a finalist for the national Green Car of the Year award during the LA Auto Show, however the second-generation Chevrolet Volt snagged that one.

Since we've already established that the Audi is a pretty good driver's car, while still managing to be triumphant in its fight against poor fuel economy (around 1.5 l/100 km - 156.8 US mpg combined with the electric drive), we're just going to wish it good luck come January.

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2015 Audi RS6 Allroad Quattro Crossover

AutoBild's report that an Allroad version of the current RS6 Avant will be introduced next fall materializes. In this case, the crossover-slash-super-estate is expected to pack the same 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine from the "regular" RS6, which will send the 605PS (596hp) and 700Nm (516lb-ft) of torque to the Quattro all-wheel drive system.

Imagining how an Audi RS6 Allroad will look like is not that hard. Just take the ultra high performance estate, raise its suspension system, add some plastic body cladding, front and rear underbody protection and well, that's about it.

Naturally, there's absolutely no word from Ingolstadt yet. Now that the VW Group is engaged in sorting out the Dieselgate scandal, we think rolling out such a variant for a very small niche is not anywhere near the top of its priorities. It would be great if it green-lit such a project, though, even for a limited production run.

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Audi E-Tron Quattro Concept

According to German publication Autobild, Audi is planning on launching a concept in Detroit dubbed the h-tron quattro. It is suggested that the car will be almost identical to the e-tron quattro concept from Frankfurt except for one key element. Rather than being powered by a totally electric powertrain, the h-tron is said to utilise a fuel-cell powerplant.

Audi has experience with fuel-cell powered concepts having launched the A7 h-tron quattro late last year. It utilised a 300-cell power unit delivering 360 volts combined with a small turbocharger and an 8.8-kWh lithium-ion battery under the floor. All told, the A7 h-tron quattro was able to deliver about 300 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, with all that power being funnelled through the four wheels.

At this stage, it remains unclear if the crossover-shaped h-tron quattro concept will utilise an identical powertrain. Given its increased size, there's a good chance such a fuel-cell could be expanded to provide even more power and torque.

As for the original e-tron quattro concept from Frankfurt, created to preview the all-electric Model X-rivalling Q6 e-tron crossover, it had 496 hp and 590 lb-ft at its disposal thanks to three electric motors and a large lithium-ion battery.

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