The Audi RS Q3 concept will be one of the surprise stars of the 2012 Beijing motor show, suggesting that the German car maker will bring its renowned RS performance badge to its SUV range in the near future.

The new Audi RS Q3 concept utilises the 2.5-litre straight-five, turbocharged, petrol engine found in the TT RS and RS3, but it’s been tweaked to produce 261 kW. The RS Q3 concept’s peak torque figure has not been revealed, but is expected to be in the region of 465 Nm. A seven-speed ‘S-tronic’ dual-clutch transmission sends power through Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system, helping the RS Q3 concept achieve a 0 -100 km/h sprint of 5.2 seconds and a top speed of 265 km/h.

From the outside, the concept looks pretty much production ready, with Audi having added a new RS-style front bumper with wider openings, carbon fibre accents and a lip spoiler, a honeycomb grille, subtle wheel arch extensions and side skirts in carbon fibre, a discrete roof spoiler, and a new rear apron also made out of carbon fibre that integrates a diffuser. Carbon fibre can also be found on the exterior mirror caps. The suspension is lowered 25mm and the body sits on new high-gloss/sandblasted 20-inch alloy wheels. Tinted headlights and gaping lower intakes surround a brushed aluminium-framed black honeycomb grille. Beneath it is a sculpted lower grille with a silver ‘quattro’ signature.

Inside, black is the dominant colour with blue accent shades making their appearance on the Nappa leather sport seats, the alcantara door panels, the stiches on the leather dashboard and the decorative carbon-fibre trims on the flat-bottom steering wheel, centre console and glove box cover.

The Audi RS Q3 is expected to become the first SUV-based RS product from the German manufacturer. It will join the TT RS, RS3, RS5 and the upcoming RS6 in the line-up.