A queue can be dangerous, unless you drive the Audi RS Q3, writes Robin Roberts.
I was faced with a lengthy line of assorted vehicles on the Fosse Way when testing the new super-quick SUV from Audi and I was immensely grateful for the grunt it delivered and meant I could safely and swiftly overtake one or two at a time when the opportunity arose.
Within a few minutes of nipping in and out of this 45-50mph mobile traffic jam I passed and was on my way and able to appreciate its responsive powertrain, sharp handling and immensely powerful brakes.
The overtaking was not risky, it was calculated and showed the capability of this halo hold-all to perform as a hot-hatch and a family car at the same time.
It rides high on the road and provides excellent vision but it also tenaciously grips the tarmac through sweeping sections and you can accelerate swiftly and safely from rest or through gears.
On main roads and motorways it is entirely composed and while firm riding it is not uncomfortable.
Noise levels are modest until you open up the power and then it develops a really deep boom as you catapult down the carriageway. It returned about 27.4mpg on test.
If you want even more power and a sleeker look, the RS7 packs enormous punch as one of the most powerful five-door fastbacks you can buy with 700Nm or 516 lb/ft pulling power available.
It is virtually a road legal sports racing car with the sort of 560ps power output you only see in a much more expensive car or a racer and it returned 19.1mpg thanks to its Tiptronic eight gears.
That power means it lacks nothing in terms of tearaway acceleration and passing ability, so it is not dangerous but a delight in the right hands.
The big engine comes with the quattro drive system to all wheels so you never lose traction but instead enjoy truly remarkable handling and grip and you can specify an exhaust amplifier for optimum aural pleasure.
Steering and massive brakes – including £8,650 optional ceramics – keep the RS7 pointing where you wish and slowing or stopping with little pressure but a lot of power.
All secondary controls are immediately to hand, the instruments comprehensive but clear.
Driver and passengers are cocooned in figure hugging and supporting seats which are ideal for both long journeys and tortuous roads.
The Audi RS7 is going to be a much sought after and rare supercar with a disarmingly undramatic but sleek style.
The two arrive in dealerships as Audi UK is heading for another consecutive year of record sales, expected to hit 140,000 and making it the premiere executive brand in the market with a remarkable 47 different models introduced over 12 years, says David Miles.
A significant third of the range now being snapped up by eager British buyers are four-wheel-drive quattro models.
The latest additions begin with November delivery of the thunderous 4.0-litre TFSI V8 560PS twin-turbo petrol engined RS7 Sportback, with an unrestricted top speed of 189mph, a 0 to 62mph acceleration time in just 3.9 seconds and a price tag of £83,495. It is expected that just 200 units a year of this version will be available in the UK.
The RS 7 Sportback (interior below) is in a different class to its stablemate and has performance more in keeping with an Italian supercar but with the room for an extended Italian family.
This sophisticated powertrain taken from the RS 6 Avant uses computer controlled cylinder-on-demand technology to save on energy until urgency is demanded by the driver, and selectable adaptive air suspension for sporting or smooth ride performance. There is the option to buy 16 and 14 inches carbon fibre-ceramic brakes.
On test we averaged 19.1mpg and it emits 229gkm CO2 and comes with a BIK of 35% and £840 first year road tax. The RS 7 Sportback is predicted to hold 31% of value over 3years/ 60,000 miles, way ahead of its closest class rivals, the BMW M6 Gran Coupe and Mercedes CLS 63 AMG Coupe.
The second new sports model is the RS Q3 (interior right) with deliveries starting in January next year.
Priced at £43,000 Audi expect around 350 of this high performance compact SUVs to be sold next year in this country.
On test we averaged 19.1mpg and it emits 229gkm CO2 and comes with a BIK of 35% and £840 first year road tax.
The RS 7 Sportback is predicted to hold 31% of value over 3years/ 60,000 miles, way ahead of its closest class rivals, the BMW M6 Gran Coupe and Mercedes CLS 63 AMG Coupe.
This is Audi’s first ever RS branded Q range of SUVs and it’s £10,000 more than the previous top Q3 model. Powered by their new award winning 2.5-litre, five-cylinder TFSI turbocharged 310PS petrol engine the top speed is restricted to 155mph and zero to 62mph takes 5.2 seconds.
Audi say the RS Q3 (loadbed below) will have the best residual value by a long way compared to rivals, retaining 52% over 3years/60,000 miles against 39% for the BMW X1 and 39% for the Range Rover Evoque.
However, it has higher emissions and carries a hefty BIK penalty of 33% and road tax of £620 for first year and £280 subsequently.
Both models are important evolutionary steps for the RS sub-brand as Audi heads towards 60 model types in the UK by the end of 2015.
© Robin Roberts & David Miles and images by Matt Vosper Photography