THE compact SUV segment is shaping up as the next high-performance battleground for the German car-makers, with Audi striking the first blow with the release of the 228kW RS Q3 – its first RS-enhanced SUV and first RS model under $100,000.

The new Audi sports variant, which will go head to head with Mercedes-Benz’s GLA45 AMG when that model arrives in July, is powered by the same 2.5-litre turbo-charged five-cylinder engine as the TT RS sports coupe.

Lowered and riding on a sports-tuned suspension, the RS Q3 comes standard with Audi’s trademark quattro all-wheel-drive system and dual-clutch S Tronic automatic transmission.

But is this power-laden compact SUV the answer to a question no one asked?

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