Audi RS Q3 removed from sale in the UK

The Audi RS Q3 performance SUV has been removed from sale in the UK, along with its Sportback sibling, with no timeline placed on their return.

A spokesperson for Audi UK confirmed the models “have been closed for ordering” because the “volume of orders taken has now filled our current production capacity into 2024”.

Audi sold 95 examples of the regular RS Q3 and 191 examples of the more rakish RS Q3 Sportback in the UK during the first nine months of 2023 – and demand has remained sufficiently strong for the firm to fulfil existing production capacity.

It has yet to be confirmed whether either model will go back on sale in 2024, after orders from this year have been fulfilled.

The withdrawal from sale comes as Audi is readying its new Q3, which is due to arrive in 2025. Prototypes have recently been spotted testing, revealing an overall profile inspired by the Q6 E-tron, slimmer headlights, a new grille design and flush door handles. 

This is likely to be followed by an electric replacement for the RS Q3 as part of the Audi RS line-up going EV-only by 2026, bringing a significant performance increase and a name change to RS Q4, in line with Audi’s new naming strategy.

The current RS Q3 uses Audi’s revered 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged engine and, until it was removed from sale, it was one of only two cars available in the UK with this engine.

The other is the RS3 Saloon, which uses the same 394bhp powerplant and was temporarily removed from sale earlier this year.

With the RS Q3 off sale, the most powerful variant of the Q3 available in the UK is now the Q3 TFSIe hybrid, which uses a 241bhp 1.4-litre turbocharged four-pot and electric motor for a 0-62mph time of 7.3sec. This model is available from £51,500 – £13,460 less than the RS Q3 before it went off sale.

Customers can still order the range-topping RS Q8 SUV, as well as the technically related RS3 Saloon. Alongside the RS Q8, the RS Q3 is the only other Audi Sport SUV in the manufacturer’s line-up.