Traveling in the Audi Q3: Once hot, even brave Noble Number Three. Send in shell: Audi is launching the start of Q3 are striking, the short overhangs is typical for the Q models from Audi, the tailgate circulating
Zurich (Switzerland), 2011
All good things come in threes, at least in the relationship and Audi SUV. At intervals of three years, the range for the Q7 (2005) and Q5 (2008) now enhanced with the Q3. If the compact sport-goers just a VW Tiguan in their Sunday best or is there more to it?
One For All
Audi's marketing is already in the run his best to portray the Q3 as an egg of Columbus: The "Young Compact Performance SUV" was an "urban character". The target audience is younger customers, but also "Best Agers", ie the members of the Generation 50plus. With its latest product, which is incidentally built by Seat in Martorell, Spain, Audi, however, is the trend: In the meantime, almost one in seven cars in Germany is an SUV, like the University of Duisburg-Essen have discovered. No vehicle segment is currently growing faster. To grab a fat piece of the pie, has high hopes for the Q3. With a fifth of the total, Germany will be the main market.
Class Struggle
Without question, by today's standards of Q3 is compact: With a length of 4.38 meters, he undercuts the larger Q5 as much as 25 centimeters. Even compared to his rival BMW X1 (4.45 meters) and VW Tiguan (4.43 meters) saves the Audi a few centimeters. There is a tie between Q3 and Tiguan in Wheelbase: He is 2.60 meters in both cases. Visually, the Q3 is quite a looker, even if he is not painted in garish "Samoa Orange metallic". Significantly, the short overhangs, rearward sloping roof line and the front end with angular grille. Particularly successful is the subtle integration of the LED daytime running lights, it radiates not as glaring as intrusive on other models of the brand.
Reduced Space
Whether the sleek shape of the Q3 quickly comes to the question, how is it with the space. Answer: better than expected. The fund also meet 1.88 meters long people not on the ceiling. The legroom is decent but not overly generous. Quite difficult but the access is through the narrow rear doors. Those who do not head moves in risk, the painful contact with the roof edge. It is a big minus point for the rear view. The steeply raked rear window and a thick D-pillar make the 400-euro rear parking beeper duty to purchase. Deductions are also available for the non-adjustable rear seats. The luggage compartment offers a volume of 460-1365 liters, which moves the Q3 at the level of X1 and Tiguan. Too bad: After folding the backrests creates a gently sloping surface. If you like the furniture store down should order the folding passenger seat. Regardless you have to arrange with a noticeable but sill on the inside of the trunk.
Slightly, But Not Skinny
The Q3-cockpit design is based on the A6 and has a much more modern than the facility in the Q5. On the quality and processing, there is nothing to criticize, only the ventilation controls are positioned too low. Driver and passenger sit high on comfortable pews. Proudly refers to the weight of the Audi Q3, so there are the hood and the tailgate made of aluminum. Through these and other measures, the entry-level model weighs 140-hp TDI engine, front-wheel drive under 1,500 kilograms. But the tide turns, depending on the selected version. Thus, the model brings Advised volume with 177-hp diesel engine, four-wheel drive and dual clutch transmission already tips the scales at 1660 kg. That's exactly how much of a comparable BMW X1 and overlooking the VW Tiguan only 35 pounds less. After all, the diet was not in favor of the payload during Q3. She is 525 pounds.
Rather With Lamella
Are parallels between X1 and Q3, there are several: Both pick from a two-liter diesel 177 HP each. However, the Audi offers a standard four-wheel drive and a dual-clutch transmission with seven gears. BMW aficionados have just a classic automatic with six levels, this costs the same as the four-wheel-drive charge. The heart of the Audi four-wheel drive system is an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch which distributes with decreasing traction force of the front wheels to the rear. The same technique also works in the VW Tiguan, here under the name of the Haldex clutch.
SUV with Sportive
The diesel engine with 177 hp fits with its high smoothness very good for Q3, especially the double clutch transmission shifts gear sorted discreet. We have really enjoyed the free-running operation of the transmission. Here in the shift operation, the clutch is disengaged, the compact SUV "sails" along, the engine is decoupled to some extent. However, it is necessary to the 200-euro "drive select" system, in order to select the "efficiency" mode. As with the other three programs "comfort", "auto" and "dynamic", the steering adapted and changed the characteristics of the accelerator and the gear. Whether we need it, is beside the point, we could at least find only minor changes. Regardless of the mode steering and suspension are a good team. The Q3 and binding directly flits around the corner, it adapts the balanced suspension. Although our test car were mounted 19-inch fat, bumps have been ironed out politely. To ensure the safety care on request, a lane keeping and lane change assistant and a traffic sign recognition.
In Search of The Punch
Not free of criticism is a diesel with 177 hp. While in normal operation, only a very Gently hum of labor principle proclaims, in a throaty note untertourigen field penetrates to the ear of the driver. But is much more glaring weakness of the inaugural assembly. Nominally needs of such motorized Q3 only 8.2 seconds to sprint from zero to 100 speed But from the stand it takes a perceived moment of reflection, comes to the cars of the slippers.
Gimme Five!
The Audi may be different, we look at a brief dip in one Q3 test platform with the five-cylinder turbo from the TT RS. Under furious tones, reminiscent of the legendary rally of Walter Röhrl, the least 1.59 meters high Q3 hunts on the road. Between 300 and 310 hp will be available in the production version of the power SUVs, tell us those responsible. The construction of the future top model is already a done deal. Gives an exact date for the launch of the Q3, it is not normal: it is in the fourth quarter of 2011 to come to the dealers.
Been Reached Strong
Absolutely not compact, it goes to when the Q3 prices. We tested the 2.0 TDI quattro is available with 177 hp with 36 800 € in the list. Standard equipment will include a manual air conditioning, 17-inch-Alus, a CD radio, an electronic differential lock and a start-stop system. But if you want to upgrade its Q3 with some amenities, the 50,000-euro brand is quickly within reach. For example, will cost at least 1160 € a navigation system, cruise control fails with 270 Euros to the price and who is lounging on leather should be ready to hold Euro 1990, for a seat heater must be ordered to do so. Anyway lots of extras only in conjunction with other options are available, including The total price is soaring. It's a small consolation for Q3 Buyer: The BMW X1 xDrive20d equally strong, including 37 050 with automatic transmission is more expensive at € 250 € than the Audi. However, also worth a look to the parent: A VW Tiguan 2.0 TDI Sport 4Motion & Style with 170 hp is already for € 32 700 in the list, him, there is only with manual transmission. The same applies to the even cheaper Skoda Yeti.
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