Unveiled in concept form in Detroit in January, 2012, the Audi Q3 Vail is the confirmed North American production version of the European high-end Audi Q3 compact SUV. The Q3 Vail is what Audi calls a themed vehicle, with appeal aimed at the young and active ski-n-snowboard kinda guy or gal (as in winter sports mecca, Vail, Colorado). Appearance is a high priority. The exterior sports a specially developed, high-gloss Energy Red, with aluminum, black, and gray elements. Inside, it is emphasis on black, with red contrasts, gray details, Alcantara, and lots of leather trim: on the dash, interwoven with yarn in a new upholstery fabric, door trim, even edging the floor mats. Technical details match the styling. There is Audi’s MMI navigation plus system with fold-out display, and themed features like a built-in thermos in a heating/cooling holder, LED flashlight/handwarmers integrated in an inductive charging station, and fold-down pads that protect the tailgate and double as heated seating. Finally, making it all move is a turbocharged five-cylinder engine, Audi’s famed Quattro permanent all-wheel drive system, and a seven-speed S tronic transmission, that take the Q3 from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 5.5 seconds, with a top speed of 262 km/h (162.80 mph). We don’t need to say…sweet.