Official photos of the Q3 compact SUV model from Audi is finally out along with details of the same. This comes just a week after Audi had released teaser photos of the car. Display of the car in its physical format would take place at the Shanghai Auto Show.
The Q3 is intended for competing with the BMW X1 and is one of the larger models form Audi coming after the Q5 and Q7 models. The Q3 is based on the platform architecture of the Volkswagen Tiguan which goes with the VW Group’s strategy in car manufacturing. Dimension of the Q3 is 4.39 meters in length (14.4 ft), 1.83 meters in width (6.0 ft), and 1.60 meters (5.25 ft) in height. It is therefore 240 mm shorter, 50 mm narrower and 53 mm lower, when compared to the Q5.
Inspiration of the exterior design for the Q3 has been the Cross Coupe Quattro Concept. This Concept model had been on display at the 2007 Shanghai Auto Show. Being a smaller SUV model than the Q5 the front of the car is sharper and the headlamps have a wedge shape to it. The roofline slopes backwards gently and this gives the car a more dynamic profile.
The Q3 has a seating capacity for five people and the interior otherwise has a very high quality finish which is the mark of all Audi makes. The boot of the car has a capacity of 460 liter or 16.24 cubic feet. In case the rear seat back rests are folded down the boot capacity increases to 1,365 liter or 48.2 cubic feet. Audi also has an array of optional fits to the car as well as other standard fits like an on-board computer with efficiency program, an ambient lighting package with a bevy of LEDs, a panoramic glass roof, a storage package, sports seats and a three spoke leather steering wheel in a new Q-specific look.
At launch the Q3 would come with a pair of gasoline engine and one TDI unit. Later on a second diesel version is expected to come up. Displacement of the four cylinder engines is 2.0 liter.
Two states of tune would be available for the 2.0 TFSI units. One that would deliver 170 hp and other 211 hp. The Q3 would be able to breach the three figure speed mark (100 kmph or 62 mph) starting from rest in 6.9 seconds while the top speeds the car is capable of is an impressive 230 kmph or 143 mph.
The 140 HP versions would be giving a fuel consumption of 5.2 liter per 100 km which is equal to 45.2 US mpg when mated to a front wheel drive system. There is also the 2.0 liter TDI unit that would be made available at a later date and will have a max power rating of 177 HP.
The TDI diesel unit and the TFSI gasoline units would come with Quattro permanent all wheel drive. A standard six speed manual gearbox would be the standard mode of transmission for the cars fitted with the 140 HP TDI and the 170 HP TFSI engines. For the cars fitted with the 177 HP TDI and the 211 HP TFSI engines, it would be a seven speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission system that would comes as the standard fitment.
In order to keep the weight factor low, Audi has resorted to the use of Aluminum to make comes of the components such as the engine hood and wraparound tailgate, which houses the taillights. The passenger compartments on the other hand have been made up of ultra high strength steel to ensure optimum passenger safety.
The Q3 would be manufactured for the European market at the Seat’s Martorell plant near Barcelona, Spain. Sales of the same are expected to commence in June. Base price of the Q3 in Germany is expected to be €29,900 which is equal to US$43,300 at today’s exchange rates. Audi have yet to announce their plans for the US market.
Source: carscoop
