2018 Audi SQ5, TT RS and RS 3: German Hot Rods in Toronto
Audi set up a high-performance display at this year’s Canadian International Auto Show with a muscular line-up of cars and SUVs.
The 2018 Audi SQ5 is redesigned from the ground up, with a familiar style that’s edgier and shares a resemblance with the bigger Q7 SUV. Compared to the regular 2018 Audi Q5, the SQ5 gets a sportier stance with a lowered suspension, more aggressive-looking bumpers and quad exhaust tips.
- Also: [EXCLUSIVE] 2018 Audi TT RS: Five Alive!
- Also: 2017 Audi R8 Spyder: Faster, Lighter and More Dynamic
Its turbocharged, 3.0-litre V6 is connected to an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive, producing 354 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. According to the manufacturer, it can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds. The new SQ5 will be on sale in March starting at $61,300 before freight and delivery charges.
The 2018 Audi TT RS is the more potent variant of the brand’s compact coupe. It boasts a turbocharged, 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine that develops 400 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque. Thanks to quattro all-wheel drive and a dual-clutch, seven-speed S tronic gearbox, the car can blast from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds. An RS sport exhaust is optional for even nastier engine sounds.
The TT RS gets a honeycomb grille, larger air intakes in the front bumper and a fixed rear wing, while 20-inch alloy wheels are optional. A unique steering wheel design with an integrated start/stop button and Audi drive select controls figures among the interior upgrades compared to the TTS. The new TT RS will be on sale this summer, and although pricing is not yet available, expect it to cost upwards of $70K.
The 2018 Audi RS 3 sedan shares the TT RS’ engine and transmission, which means its turbo five-cylinder mill and seven-speed gearbox send 400 horsepower to all four wheels. The 0-to-100 km/h dash is cleared in 4.1 seconds, while top speed can reach 280 km/h.
The RS 3 can be spotted by its more aggressive bodywork, oval exhaust tips surround by a black air diffuser, enlarged air intakes up front and a blacked-out honeycomb grille. Compared to the tamer S3, the car’s cockpit gets a sportier appearance as well. The RS 3 will arrive in Canada this summer, and its base price will likely reach the $55K mark.
Also in display at the Toronto show is the 2018 Audi A5 Sportback and the 2017 Audi R8 Spyder, which were introduced at the Montreal Auto Show in January.
