Fuel efficiency, compact dimensions and practical interior are highlights of the all-new Q3
Yeah, another Audi Thais are going to be deprived of ...
True, there are many Audis the Thai agent refuses to import on an official basis, but the Q3 could be on the agenda _ if a rumoured corporate change in local operations doesn't alter the plan. That's because it will complete the Q family (see sidebar) comprising a body style Thais generally like: an SUV with high-riding body.
The all-new Q3 maintains the Audi tradition in appearance but isn't that aggressive-looking as the Cross Coupe{aac} concept car preceding it. Audi's new SUV baby appears to place practicality over style, unlike Range Rover's new Evoque.
- How big is the Q3?
According to Audi, the Q3 is 4.39m long, 1.83m wide and 1.6m tall. It may not be as long as the BMW X1, but it is wider and taller. In fact, the Q3 is based on Volkswagen's facelifted Tiguan.
Audi is boasting a cabin that's utterly easy to live with, combining aspects of versatility and roominess. Note the driver-focused fascia in the picture on this page.
Visually, the Q3's interior looks well-made. Let's just hope the interior plastics haven't moved downmarket, as what has happened in the X1 rival.
The Q3 will be shown in metal for the first time at the Shanghai auto show next week, the same time the New York motor show takes place.
The cabin has a driver-focused fascia.
- Is the Q3 brimmed with tech?
If you put aside hybrid tech, then yes. Quite. There are four four-cylinder 2.0-litre engines to choose from, all highlighting direct-injection, turbo, energy regeneration and automatic stop/start.
The range includes 140hp/177hp diesel-turbo and 170hp/211hp petrol-turbo. The most powerful TFSI petrol does 0-100kph in 6.9sec, while the most frugal TDI (in front-wheel-drive form) can achieve 19.2kpl.
Lightweight body materials have also played a role in helping reduce fuel consumption. The bonnet and boot lid, for instance, are made from aluminium. In fact, the most basic Q3 is claimed to tip the scales at just under 1.5 tons.
Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and Quattro four-wheel-drive are available in the top engines, while the Drive Select _ which can adjust accelerator and steering inputs _ is also an option.
The Q3 is less aggressive in appearance than the Cross Coupe´ teaser concept.
- Not bad. Should I really crave for one?
Judging from initial impressions, the Q3 sounds quite a choice on paper. But a crucial issue would be pricing because Audi is moving down where margins are smaller than the Q5 and Q7.
Ideally, the Q3 should be priced against the X1, but the Bimmer is bolted together in the country at just over 2 million baht. That makes things a tad difficult for Audi, as they have no assembly line.
This could mean that the Q3 may not actually be coming to Thailand under such circumstances. And since you might be wondering about that new Evoque: although production of it starts in the UK at mid-year, we hear that only less than 10 samples will be available for Thailand at the year-end.
It appears that BMW has made quite a strategic move with the X1 in Thailand (psst: the Thai-built X1 is also putting the BMW-owned Mini Countryman to shame in price).
The Q family
Q3
Ingolstadt's new SUV baby will sludge it out with the BMW X1 and Range Rover Evoque. The Q3 shouldn't have difficulty coping with the Evoque's 4-5 million baht price, but certainly will with the X1 that's built in the country with prices kicking out at 2.149 million.
Q5
A highly overlooked alternative in the BMW X3 class that comes with fine all-round ability. The Q5 is also Audi's first SUV to go hybrid combining a 2.0-litre petrol-turbo with electric tech, making it compatible with Thai excise taxes. Today's 2.0 TFSI (normal petrol) sells for 3.6 million.
Q7
Audi's mammoth Q doesn't really look the part anymore, although it has an interior built to snare X5 punters in the 6 million baht range. It's aging terribly, as sister models Porsche Cayenne and VW Touareg are already in their new generations _ both with hybrid to choose from.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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