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Compared with the Q5 and Q7, the Q3's silhouette has a more coupe-like look. Photo Gallery
Mark Hinchliffe road tests and reviews the Audi Q3.
Don't suggest the Audi Q3 is an expensive VW Tiguan. Audi doesn't like it.
Besides, it's not at all true. Even though the Q3 sub-compact SUV is built off the same platform as the Tiguan, the Audi has substantially more creature features, driving aids, safety features, more high-tensile and lighter steel in its frame, different steering ratios, and mostly different and more powerful engines.
Dimensions are also slightly different, being 42mm shorter, 22mm wider and 75mm lower with 250mm less clearance, while it's 130kg lighter. When it arrives next year, it will be only the third sub-compact luxury SUV available after the BMW X1 and the Land Rover Evoque, arriving in September.
Audi Australia product manager Philipp Duelfer says the segment is growing fast and will give them additional sales volume with conquests from other compact SUVs. It is on sale now in Europe but won't reach our shores until about this time next year. Orders will be taken from January. Audi Australia boss Uwe Hagen expects it to surpass Q5 sales in three to five years.
VALUE
Pricing is yet to be announced, but Hagen says it will be "very competitive with the X1". Five models are available but no decision has been made on which ones we will get. "We will likely take all," says Hagen. There are two diesels, including an entry model with front-wheel drive and six-speed manual. "Entry price is important in this segment," says Hagen.
There are also three petrol models, all with quattro drive with a high-powered manual as a hero car. "We need a hero car in every segment," says Hagen. He believes the 2.0-litre TDI Quattro S tronic will represent half of their Q3 sales and the 2.0-litre TFSI Quattro S tronic about 25-30 per cent with the rest sharing the remainder equally.
There will be S Line and Off Road accessory packs available from the start, but not all models may be available at launch.
TECHNOLOGY
As expected from Audi there is enough technology to run a nuclear submarine. That includes start-stop and energy recovery as standard across the range for improved fuel economy while the Audi Drive Select function adds an efficiency mode to allow free-wheel cruising in the S tronic transmission.
Drive Select changes the drive feeling by adjusting the power steering assistance, throttle response, gearshift characteristics, dampers and even airconditioning. The electronic stability control has an electronic limited slip diff which brakes the inside wheels for less understeer.
Audi also points out it has 2000kg towing capacity in some models. Inside there is the usual array of standard and optional hi-tech gear including MMI navigation, Bluetooth, SDHC card reader, Bose surround sound.
DESIGN
Audi design boss Stefan Sielaff has remained true to his corporate brief with the single-frame grille, swooping roof line, almond-eye LED daytime running lights, large air inlets and muscular bonnet shape. The overall effect is slightly frumpy compared with the long-nosed X1.
Compared with the Q5 and Q7, the Q3's silhouette is whittled down on the rear roof line and the body from the A pillar back, giving it a more coupe-like look. Yet there is 40 litres more cargo space than in the X1 even though it is 7cm shorter.
A wrap-around tailgate means the stunning V-shaped LED taillights are unbroken and there is more space to access the luggage area for loading items such as a mountain bike; something customers requested, says Duelfer.
Inside, there is the typical Audi high "horizon" line interior for a feeling of being immersed in the environment. It has the latest three-spoke steering wheel which is actually four spokes because the bottom spoke is divided into two, except in the S Line. There are "almost unlimited trim levels" available, says Duelfer, "because customers have different tastes".
Practicality was a major aim, he says, pointing out that the front passenger seat folds flat to fit a surfboard inside, rather than having roof racks which create drag and increase fuel consumption by about 0.5L/100km.
SAFETY
Audi never scrimps on safety equipment. Apart from the usual suite of secondary safety gear such as six airbags (rear side airbags optional) and crash protection, there is a vast array of standard and optional primary safety gear.
These driver assistance systems include a warning of vehicles in the blind spot, active lane assistance to stop the vehicle wandering and parking assistance that ranges from rear sensors to a full-on automated parallel parking system.
DRIVING
The car feels planted and secure over the satin-smooth roads we drove on the world launch around the manicured and picturesque hills outside Zurich. How it performs on our rougher, coarser roads remains to be seen, let alone off-road duties.
Hagen admits that few Q3 owners will wander off road and admits that the Off Road trim pack is largely cosmetic. And with just 17cm of clearance this is no beach buggy.
However, the quattro system permanent all-wheel-drive system is a proven performer. Together with the electronic stability control, it dramatically reduces understeer although sometimes the braking effect is a little noisy and intrusive. The engines are also well proven and the 103kW entry model is no dunger, pulling sweetly in the short first gear and having enough torque to take off in second. It also feels more refined and quieter than in the Tiguan.
In fact, it's even quieter than the petrol engines. However, there is plenty of fizzing and rumbling in the 155kW petrol engine to provide a suitable aural soundtrack to your rapid progression. The efficiency mode in Audi Drive Select feels weird when you lift off the throttle to find no engine braking.
Rather than having to go through the mode selector to dial in "dynamic", it's just a matter of flicking the transmission back to S for instant response. Audi has ironed out the artificial feeling in the electro-mechanical steering. It now provides plenty of feedback, yet feels light and easy for normal duties.
VERDICT
This is a practical, luxurious and technological solution for many urbanites, small families and empty nesters. However, Audi will have to sharpen its pencils to attract buyers from the more exciting looking X1 and Evoque.
Audi Q3
Price: TBA
Body: 5-door, 5-seater sub-compact SUV
Engines: 2.0-litre turbo direct-injection petrol (125kW and 155kW), 2.0-litre turbo diesel (103kW and 130kW)
Models: 103kW TDI manual; 130kW TDI quattro S tronic; 125kW TFSI quattro S tronic and manual; 155kW TFSI quattro manual
Transmissions: 7-speed S tronic auto, 6-speed manual
Drive: front or quattro all-wheel drive
Dimensions: 4385mm (L), 1831mm (W), 1590mm (H), 2603mm (WB)
Safety: 6 airbags (optional 8), ABS, ESP with electronic LSD, Drive Select, active lane assistance, side assistance, parking assistance, cornering headlights
Economy: 5.2L/100km (103kW TDI)
Rivals: BMW X1 (from $57,400-$60,564), Land Rover Evoque (from $57,375-$77,395)
