AUDI seems to be moving into the secret realms of intelligence with the announcement that has given its smallest Q model full RS treatment.

Although the Q3 is not as shadowy as any spy master, it is however  brimming full of intelligent systems and technology.

First and foremost it has quattro all-wheel drive with electronically controlled clutch and differential lock that enables it to tackle, ice, snow, mud, on or off-road, with relative ease.

This is aided and abetted by dual circuit brakes with electronic stabilisation and hydraulic assist, as well as electromechanical steering with speed dependent power assist, and if it needs to accelerate away fast, it boasts a redline speed of 155mph.

The most compact of the Q cars in the stable, the Q3 in RS guise is, I would argue, the best of the bunch.

It has all the attributes of a vehicle that is not afraid of  the rough stuff, yet whilst sat in comfortable Sport style seats it also offered the type of open road handling normally associated with the sporty TT coupe.

With this kind of panache, and with exemplary acceleration - you can reach 62mph in 5.2 seconds - it still retains the good manners and driving characteristics to equal the performance of any city car in heavy town traffic simply due to its stop start eco engine system.

The RS Q3 is an amalgam of models, but it works, and I feel the price of £41,735 asked for the 2.5-litre TFSi S tronic with 310ps that I drove was fair and reflects value for money.

As usual Audi has a long list of optional extras and my car had been fitted with a plethora of them, that pushed the price up to £49,965, which means if the mood and the budget suits, you can turn your Q3 into a personalised package of delight!

Irrespective of which options you may wish to add-on, the standard model is still beautifully crafted, finely engineered and fitted with class leading safety and security systems.

This all-wheel drive SUV type of vehicle has a CO2 rating of 206g/km and a combined fuel return of 32.1mpg. It can seat four or five and has the capability to carry luggage ranging from 356 to 1,261 litres which makes it a practical load carrier.

All in all I  feel that Audi's  high performing Q3 in RS mode is so complex, so full of technology, and just bursting with intelligent  engineering that it cannot fail to attract the discerning motorist looking for flair and practicality in one trendy compact package.