Audi Q3 News

At the world launch of the sub-compact SUV in Zurich last week, Audi allowed journalists to drive a prototype model featuring the engine from the TT RS Coupe and RS 3. The 2.5-litre five-cylinder TFSI engine produces 228kW of power which is detuned from the TT RS with 250kW and the A3 RS with 258kW. Torque is expected to be about 450Nm. Whatever the final figures, it shames the 155kW in the four-cylinder TFSI "hot" model which arrives in Australia about this time next year. The prototype is wicked-fast with a howling note, quattro drive, seven-speed S tronic transmission and S Line sports suspension. Matthias Nothling, spokesman for Audi's performance arm, quattro GmbH, says the prototype is designed to show the potential for the Q3. But will it go into production? "Not this year," he says. "It's not been decided yet. We don't even have a name for it." Nothling says no other mechanical changes were made to the Q3 prototype, except to install the engine. "It's got the same suspension as the S Line," he says. "It shows how a Q3 can perform. "We just wanted to show that the four-cylinder engine is not the end of the Q3's potential." He says there are no other Q3 derivatives planned yet. "We are just at the beginning of the Q3's life," he says.

BMW axed its $700 optional speed-zone recognition technology in May, blaming the frequent varying speed zones in Australia for bamboozling their system. However, Audi's new Q3 sub-compact SUV which arrives about this time next year will "eventually" come with an optional speed limit display. The technology uses cameras to identify speed signs and displays the relevant speed on the satnav screen and on an LCD screen in the instrument binnacle. The recognised signs are cross-referenced with satnav information. Audi Australia spokesman Sean Poppitt says the technology will be used in Australia. "The speed limit display technology will eventually be introduced into Australia but we don't have a firm timeline as yet," he says. "Each country has its own unique road sign systems and idiosyncratic details, and it takes time to integrate all of these different countries with the technology. So it's not always a quick process, but the technology will come to Australia." Other speed zone software includes Holden's advisory system in its latest VE II Commodore, while speed limits are also included in most of the latest aftermarket satnav systems, such as TomTom. The BMW satnav software has been available in the 7 Series sedan and 5 Series wagon this year, but was withdrawn in May. BMW spokesman Piers Scott says the company has not had any issues with the equipment functioning properly anywhere in the world, except Australia. "The high number of variations of speed limits, especially in urban areas, meant the accuracy wasn't what it should be for a BMW product,'' he says. "Accuracy was still in the 90 per cent region but, nonetheless, there were enough little niggles and anomalies for us to withdraw it. We've had engineers here on three separate occasions fine-tuning the system, but it's still not what it should be.'' Scott says BMW has not permanently shelved the potentially life-saving technology for Australia. "We are confident we can overcome it. It is a problem that is only occurring in Australia. They're happy elsewhere because there aren't the number of changes in speed zones we have here. "The technology and data are no different from other markets, but here we have such a high level of variable speed zones, it's struggling to keep up with it. And the very draconian way in which speed limits are patrolled here means there is no margin for error.''

China is clearly on top of the car world in 2011.

AUDI showed it's Q3, the German company’s move into the compact SUV segment at this year's Shanghai Auto Show. This new all-roader goes on sale in Europe in June but isn't expected on the Australian market for another 12 months. Four engine options, two transmissions and a front-drive only version are destined for some markets with Australian specifications and pricing to be determined closer to launch, but expect pricing somewhere in the mid-$40,000s with rival BMW's X1 starting at $43,500. Taking on Audi's established SUV design cues  - single frame grille, sweeping, coupe-like roofline - the Q3 is a bit shorter, lower, wider and lighter than the Q5. Base, front-drive versions, roll out at less than 1500kg; it's 4.39m long, 1.83m wide and 1.6m high. Ground clearance is 170mm and the wagon sits on 16-inch or 17-inch wheels. Audi says this is a premium SUV with top-shelf engineering from body through drivetrains, driver assistance systems and multi-media systems - "a versatile companion for everyday life with an urbane character". In Europe it will be offered with four, four-cylinder engine options - all two litres, all turbocharged, the choice of petrol or diesel power and outputs ranging from 103kW to 155kW.  There the 103kW diesel (the last to arrive) will be front-wheel drive only with six-speed manual transmission. That same gearbox is also used for the 125kW petrol engine.  Both petrol engines, plus the 130kW diesel, arrive with quattro permanent all-wheel drive. The 130kW diesel and 155kW petrol engines use Audi's seven-speed S tronic gearbox with steering wheel paddles part of the deal.  And among an array of options, Audi 'drive select' is available across all powerplants - allowing a driver to select between comfort, auto, dynamic and efficiency modes, varying throttle and steering responses. Other comfort and convenience choices include park assist for the Q3 to park itself, side assist and lane assist to help change lanes, sports seats, on-board computer and panoramic glass roof.AUDI Q3 Compact premium SUV Size down from Audi Q5 On sale Europe in June; Australia 2012 European base version front-drive; others permanent all-wheel drive Two Petrol, two diesel engines ranging from 103kW to 155kW  Prices here expected in mid-$40,000s.

The German brand's upcoming rival to the BMW X1, and the latest newcomer in its explosion of new models, is caught this week by Carparazzi during winter testing.The Audi Q3 is heavily camouflaged but obvious details include the basic outline of the five-door SUV body, distinctive headlamps and a prominent grille. The sloping roofline is another signature for the Q3 and mimics the shape of the Cross Coupe Quattro Concept from the 2007 Shanghai Motor Show.The basic mechanical package for the Q3 comes from Volkswagen's successful Tiguan, which has been a huge winner for the brand around the world including Australia. Apart from styling, the Q3 will differ from the Tiguan - as the Audi A1 is differentiated from the Volkswagen Polo - with a sportier driver and much more youth-focussed final finishing.Drivelines are expected to include the usual VW Group packages, with 2-litre petrol and turbodiesel motors matched to five and six-speed gearboxes and quattro all-wheel drive.Carparazzi suggests the first official sighting will be at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, before production begins at the Seat factory in Martorell, Spain towards the end of this year.

Last year was the company's best ever year in global terms, with sales up 15 per cent to 1.09 million vehicles, the books in the black and a target of 1.2 million for this year.The brand's Australian arm also scored it's best-ever result - 12,900 cars last year, a 14 per cent increase thanks in no small part to seven new variants.  So far this year the brand is on target for it's volume aims, but Audi Australia managing director Uwe Hagen is determined to do more than watch the numbers."The cars need to be desirable as part of a premium brand, getting smiles from those on the side of the road.  It's not just about volume in the A7, if we get the right people into this car - in sales, you get the captain, you get the soldiers," he says.The Audi Australia product catalgue will have the 4.2-litre turbodiesel engine as well as a long-wheelbase model for the new A8 range, as well as the new A6 and the Q3 mini-SUV next year.Mr Hagen says it's a 9.5 billion Euro investment over the next five years in new product, done with the backing of the VW group - something for which he does not apologise."Volkswagen is a group of 7.2 million cars, if I'm buying 7.2 million batteries or one million batteries, VW gets them cheaper but it's the same quality, the market strength is an advantage," he says."If we develop a new electronic system, it's not a disadvanatge because the development can be integrated in different products, you can share the knowledge.  Saving money is an intelligent smart way, without losing the idea of the product - we are convinced of this with our brand, we would be stupid not to take advantage of this large group," he says.Leaner costs help the bottom line and new models boost the sales numbers, but Mr Hagen is also looking to the "pre-owned" side of the business to bring new people into the Audi family - "it's a huge chance to get people into the brand."Audi says its "Approved:plus" vehicles are inspected and come backed with a factory two-year unlimited-kilometre warranty with roadside assist.  Mr Hagen says the after sales side - and customer satisfaction - are also important weapons in building customer loyalty, likening it to interest in a bank account.Mr Hagen said the word of mouth is important for a brand, as people are more critical when giving a recommendation.  "The most challenging thing for a premium brand is customer expectation," he says.

The latest model in Audi's SUV push is not officially confirmed from Germany but is clearly revealed in new Carparazzi images that have been drafted from inside information fresh from Europe. The Q3 is revealed as a compact, classy, soft-roader which will take Audi's SUV drive in a new direction and well away from the wagon-style look of its closest rival, the BMW X1 that will be revealed later this year for sales in 2010 in Australia. The design of the Q3 picks up the softer, rounded look of Audi's recent compact concept cars and is clearly related to the baby A3 hatchback. But it will sit higher and have a body shape that is closer, in some ways, to the controversial BMW X6 that has polarised SUV buyers since it was launched last year. The Q3, like the Q5, will come late to the class but Audi is confident it will do well against the X1 and rivals including the production version of the Land Rover LRX — a baby city car — which is also programmed for 2010. The big difference is that BMW is taking a wagon-style approach to the design of the X1, which uses the mechanical package from the 3 Series all-wheel drive model. It is intended more as a go-anywhere family wagon than a sporty SUV.

Audi will add the Q3 alongside the giant Q7 and just-launched Q5 as it goes all-out to fill every opportunity in the prestige SUV business. The Q3 will also go up against the upcoming BMW X1, which should be in showrooms around the same time. No firm details of the Q3 have been released by Audi, although it says the Cross Coupe Quattro Concept gives some idea of its thinking. The Cross Coupe is more car-like than either the Q7 or Q5, with a rounded five-door wagon body and a coupe-style rounded roofline. The Q3 will be built in Spain and is part of an ambitious Audi plan to have 40-plus individual models in its line-up by 2015. The cost of this new-model rush is more than $2 billion a year. The new SUV is already on the radar for Audi Australia but it is not yet confirmed for local sales. "There is nothing we can confirm, except to say that it's something we're interested in," says Audi Australia spokesperson, Anna Burgdorf. "There is a good chance of seeing the Q3 in Australia, if there is the right market for it. We never make a decision for a new model without knowing it's going to be successful. "We need the right price and the right engines and the right customers to buy it."

Everything from an A5 cabrio, A5 Sportback, A4 Allroad wagon, A7 four-door sports coupe, A1 Sportsback, Q3 off-roader and R8 convertible is on the books.But Audi Australia is not revealing just what is likely to head to Australia.Audi Australia general manager of marketing, Immo Buschmann, is giving little away on the new arrivals, only confirmed the early 2009 launch of the Q5 off-roader.However, he hints that an A5 Sportsback and maybe an A4 Allroad were on the cards."But we have not decided," he says.He says he is unaware specifically what the Germany headquarters has in store for Australia regarding new models.Recently, Audi AG's product development chief, Michael Dick, revealed to European media that Audi's range of 22 vehicles will grow with another 18 "in our heads".It is believed the A5 convertible will be unveiled in Europe before the end of the year with an A5 Sportback arriving next year, followed by the Q3.The A5 Sportback will be designed to fill a gap between the A4 Avant and A6 Avant.Performance derivatives are believed to be among the mix, with an R5 and RS5 mooted.One thing is clear though, the huge investment local dealers have taken in new "Terminal" showrooms will pay off.The first "Terminal" dealership cost $12 million and is located in Sydney's Five Dock.It is the first of a design that will be adopted globally."Our dealers have invested heavily to be able to display and sell these new cars," he says."The Q5 is our next big launch."Audi is expected to launch the car with a tough Trans-Continental drive through Outback Australia like the successful Q7 launch.Speaking at the launch of the RS6 Avant, Buschmann, says although the focus on RS is to maintain exclusivity, he admitted that in the future, the company may have to broaden the RS thinking."If there is demand to broaden the RS portfolio then we will look at it," he says."The ethos of the RS is entirely up to our product strategists."But I imagine we would look at a top-down approach when we look at eligible RS cars, those that have the necessary DNA."