AUDI Q3 SET TO FORGE AHEAD

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More and more car makers are itching to pitch their tent in the increasingly popular compact crossover camp. Already well settled in this site is Audi with its popular Q3.

Now the German automobile manufacturer is about to run up the flag again with an improved version of the class-leading compact sports utility vehicle first seen in Australia in 2012.

Audi Australia managing director Andrew Doyle says for the latest iteration of the Q3, the company had concentrated on equipment customers regularly chose when making a purchase.

At the top of the new Q3 trim line is the S line sport package and the S line exterior package.

Audi Q3 offers two petrol and two diesel engines, all turbocharged and Euro 6 emission compliant. The 1.4 TFSI engine in the Q3 entry-level model has gained Audi’s innovative Cylinder on Demand (CoD) technology; two of its four cylinders shut down under light throttle loads up to 20 per cent to reduce consumption and emissions.

Putting out 110 kW of power and 250 Nm of torque it is capable of pushing the Q3 to 100km/h from rest in 8.9 seconds.

Audi_Q3_rear

Such is the operation of the engine, that during a launch drive in northern NSW and south-east Queensland, switches of cylinder use from two to four were indiscernible.

The two 2.0-litre engines – one TDI diesel and one TFSI petrol – produce figures of 135kW and 380Nm and 132 kW and 320 Nm respectively. The TDI reaching 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds, with measured consumption of 5.4 litres per 100 kilometres.

The fastest Audi Q3, the TFSI petrol, sprints to 100 km/h in 7.6 seconds, with only minor cost to combined fuel rating at 6.7 litres per 100 kilometres.

The Q3 1.4 TFSI COD makes use of the Audi six-speed S tronic transmission, while other models have the benefit of seven-speed S tronic and Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system.

Chassis fine-tuning, Audi quattro all-wheel drive, plus speed-sensitive power steering, ensure agile handling and superior ride comfort, well illustrated on the launch drive on a range for roads from suburban streets to tight twists and turns, plus some highway cruising. Nothing too strenuous.

Audi_Q3_interior

The cabin interior was light on intrusive noise from any of the engines and road surfaces. Body roll in tight corners was kept to a minimum, with only a hint of understeer coming through when the vehicle was hard pressed.

Generous ground clearance enables the Q3 to handle mid-range off-road driving conditions. And now for the first time the standard electronic stabilisation control can be deactivated in two stages.

Interestingly, an ESC off-road mode provides optimal traction off the beaten track. This adjusts certain functions, such as ABS and the electronic differential lock, and the control function optimised for the surface. That’s clever.

The Audi drive select dynamic handling system, which is standard with the sport line, allows the driver to switch between comfort, auto, dynamic and efficiency modes by means of a button. The system combines the accelerator, power steering and S tronic transmission.

The Q3 maintains the coupe-like profile that has come to characterise the modern SUV, while its ‘Audiness’ is announced by the sculpted single-frame radiator grille and wraparound tailgate.

Redesigned standard headlights are xenon plus, daytime running lights LED. Optional LED headlamps are offered in combination with dynamic turn signals integrated into reworked LED taillights. The turn signals light up sequentially from the inside in the direction the driver intends to turn.

Fifteen wheel designs – seven of them new – in 17 or 18-inch sizes are on offer as standard. Options are 19 and 20-inch. All tyres are low rolling resistance and a tyre pressure indicator is standard.

Inside the cabin there is room for five. Cargo capacity of 460 litres can be increased to 1365 litres by folding the split rear seatbacks.

Ergonomic instruments and controls, plus the use of quality materials fitted with top-notch workmanship mark the Q3 as a premium product. Clever options include a luggage compartment package, a pass-through and power tailgate. Roof rails and a new, extendable cargo cover are standard.

The standard radio features MMI operation from larger Audi models. The fold-out colour monitor with 6.5-inch display, a memory card reader and an audio tuner with phase diversity are standard. The MMI radio also includes a Bluetooth interface and the Audi music interface for easy connection of a mobile player.

At the top of the infotainment range is MMI navigation plus with rotary pushbutton and 7-inch monitor displaying graphics and navigation map in 3-D.

Audi sound or Bose surround sound are on offer, the latter a ten-channel, 465 watt amplifier driving 14 speakers, including a subwoofer. It uses a microphone to analyse intrusive noises and adjusts playback accordingly.

The Audi Q3 achieves the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating and owners can take advantage of a range of advanced driver assistance systems.

For example, Audi side assist, active lane assist, high-beam assist and hill descent control, along with electric folding and dimming exterior mirrors can be combined into a new $2490 Assistance package.

A Comfort package ($2490) consists of electric and heated front seats, and automatic tailgate, while a Technik package ($2990) includes MMI navigation plus, park assist and Audi sound system.

Q3 prices start at $42,900, plus on-road costs, for the Q3 1.4 TFSI COD S tronic and top out at $56,900 for the 2.0 TDI S tronic quattro Sport.

The ultimate option is a new Q3 camping tent that can be set up in minutes and fastened to the vehicle’s open tailgate. One person with an air pump can set up the entire tent in just three minutes.

Another four minutes is all it takes to connect the tent to the Q3 via the open rear hatch. Secured to the ground with eight camping pegs, it can withstand winds of up to 70 km/h.

MODEL LINE-UP
Audi Q3 1.4 TFSI COD S tronic $42,900
Audi Q3 2.0 TDI S tronic quattro $47,900
Audi Q3 2.0 TFSI S tronic quattro Sport $52,300
Audi Q3 2.0 TDI S tronic quattro Sport $56,900
Note: These prices do not include dealer or government charges. Contact your local Audi dealer for drive-away prices.

About Ewan Kennedy

Ewan Kennedy, a long-time car enthusiast, was Technical Research Librarian with the NRMA from 1970 until 1985. He worked part-time as a freelance motoring journalist from 1977 until 1985, when he took a full-time position as Technical Editor with Modern Motor magazine. Late in 1987 he left to set up a full-time business as a freelance motoring journalist. Ewan is an associate member of the Society of Automotive Engineers - International. An economy driving expert, he set the Guinness World Record for the greatest distance travelled in a standard road vehicle on a single fuel fill. He lists his hobbies as stage acting, travelling, boating and reading.
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