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15/07/2011
REVIEW By EWAN KENNEDY
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It’s still almost a year before the all-new Audi Q3 hits the Australian market, but local lovers of the German marque are already starting to pay attention.
Making its world debut at the Shanghai Motor Show only a few weeks ago, the Audi Q3 is the latest entrant in the upmarket crossover SUV segment. A market area that is growing in leaps and bounds as buyers move to smaller, more economical vehicles, but still want decent interior space.
Then there’s the fun factor offered by any SUV. And fun was certainly in the minds of the Audi stylists when they penned the lines of the Q3. We just love the out-there appearance of that huge radiator grille. Audi was in the forefront of the revival of big grilles, and has seen many competitors join that theme. So Audi is daring the others by moving into a size that could almost be described as outrageous. Good on them!
It’s not just the grille, look at the sleek shape of the headlights and the way the daytime running lights surround them. And admire the large lower air intakes with their inbuilt foglights.
At the rear, the taillights have an interesting triangular shape and are complemented by large in-bumper fogs.
Interiors have a sporting theme and look to be finished to Audi’s usual very high standard.
New Audi Q3, of course, is a step down in size from the Audi Q5 and the very large Q7. It will compete with the BMW X1 that was launched in Australia in midway through 2010. Mercedes-Benz is lagging badly in Australia, its GLK-Class isn’t built in right-hand drive and is in any case a bit larger than the Audi and BMW.
As is becoming increasingly common, the Audi Q3 will be sold with the option of two-wheel drive or quattro four-wheel drive. The former will have less weight and better performance as a result.
Engine options at this stage are a turbo-diesel and two turbo-petrol units. Power ranges from 125 to 155 kilowatts. Coming later is an economy special Audi Q3 with 103 kW turbo-diesel, it has a measured fuel consumption of just 5.2 litres per hundred kilometres on the European test cycle.
Transmissions are seven-speed dual-clutch units on all models at this stage.
Other engine and transmission options may be added to the Q3 range before the new model is launched in Australia in the second quarter of 2012. Prices and specifications will be announced closer to that time. |
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