The ‘Edition 10 Years’ package gives the hottest Q3 styling cues and extra kudos

CELEBRATING a decade of the type’s existence, and carrying a $6000 premium over its donor – but also bringing several benefits.

That’s a new version of Audi’s baby hot crossover, the RS Q3, in an ‘Edition 10 Years’ package.

The allure is the promise of reasonable exclusivity. Just 13 of the 255 being built by Ingolstadt are coming to New Zealand.

Another is the prospect of using it for a fun day out, with the purchase package including a double pass to an Audi track experience at Hampton Downs circuit.

The addition of the new variant, which bases off the $126,990 RS Q3 Sportback – the one with the sloping rear - rather than the $3000-cheaper standard shape car, was announced today by Audi New Zealand.

Orders are being taken now, with deliveries in November, which is also when the track activity is planned.

The price, which excludes the $2242 Clean Car fee the model also attracts, is the biggest sticker the baby blitzer has borne.

The special edition is more than just a long-winded badge. It adds black 21-inch alloy wheels, black Audi insignia, darkened matrix LED headlights, gloss black trim and bumper inserts, and a choice of steel brake discs with black calipers, or carbon-ceramic front discs with grey, red, black or blue calipers.

It is available in two exterior paint finishes: Dew Silver matte, or Chronos Grey metallic.

Inside, there are unique sports bucket front seats with RS badges, carbon-fibre seatbacks, and leather and Dinamica microfibre upholstery.

Other interior upgrades includes a Dinamica-trimmed instrument panel, black Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel and gear shifter, copper-coloured contrast stitching, RS Q3 embroidery on the floor mats, carbon-fibre matte-finish dashboard inlays, and illuminated door sill plates.

The 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine sends power to all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and is in standard tune, so develops 294kW and 480Nm. Audi cites a 0-100kmh sprint time of 4.5 seconds, and an electronically-limited top speed of 250kmh.