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Audi Q3 cuts the waiting game down to size
publication date: Oct 29, 2011
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author/source: Robin Roberts
The eagerly awaited Audi Q3 SUV, the first to be offered with a front
wheel drive only model in the range, hits the road in November.
FWD only models will appeal to owners who want to maximise economy
without sacrificing the room and refinement, and a feeling of security, which
comes with the SUV design, otherwise 4WD is standard. |  | To ensure good economy, all four engines come with start-stop and energy
recuperation systems and when the S-tronic twin-clutch is fitted it disengages
during coasting to save even more fuel.
Four engines will be available, the FWD comes in December, with a choice
of - 2.0 TFSI 170PS, 2.0 TFSI 211PS, 2.0 TDI 140PS, 2.0 TDI 177PS. The last
three of these can be ordered with the S tronic semi-automatic transmission,
but six-speed manual is standard.
| The Audi Q3 comes with the latest MMI navigation plus infotainment
system, Bluetooth with Google, wireless link and kerb and bay parking
assistance availability.
Buyers who order the optional adaptive dynamics system will not only
save fuel when coasting but it will optimise climate and cruise control systems
to maximise fuel economy. Insurance groups are between 18E and 25E. |  | Inside the Q3 seats five with 460 litres of luggage or a maximum 1365
litres luggage with split folding rear seats, and there are roof rails for
additional items.
Prices begin at £24,560 and there are SE and S line trim levels rising
to £31,360 at the top of the eight model range.
Paying £2,750 upgrades to the S line specification with bigger wheels
and styling changes, more powerful headlights, and LED front and back lights.
| |  | Options include turning headlights, automatic high beam assist,
hard-drive based navigation, bigger info-screen, blind spot and lane departure
warning. For those who use their SUV for multiple purposes you can specify
luggage loadbed protectors.
The Q3 will take Audi into a new sector after a tremendous 12 months of
sales which saw global registrations rise 15pc in 2010 compared to 2009 and in
Britain 99,828 models were sold, 9.5pc up on 12 months earlier.
It has taken 2,000 advance orders for the Q3 from
British buyers since the summer and will deliver half of these this year with
an expected 8,000 models being sold in 2012. Some 60pc of these are to retail
buyers and the current tax system encourages the 2WD models so these are likely
to take as much as 30pc of the total registrations.
Because it is also a new model in a segment which
is very fashion and trend conscious Audi UK believes 60pc will be conquest
sales from other marques being put in part-exchange. The initial indications
are that 55pc of orders will be for the SE version, and again this is possibly
explained by the larger percentage of company bought vehicles.
BIK will be 20pc for the 2WD entry level model,
24pc for the 4WD and rising to 25pc for the most powerful versions. | FIRST IMRESSIONS
|  | We tested the anticipated best selling model, the
177ps 2.0 quattro SE tronic from £27,650, but which had been fitted with nearly
£12,400 of extras to show what was possible with the "shopping list" of
options.
These included the Audi drive select of four
pre-programmed modes to adjust powertrain and steering through economy,
comfort, auto and dynamic settings and which included the new free-wheeling or
coasting control in eco-mode.
Also included in the options fitted was the
electronic damper control for ride quality choice.
A test over sweeping moorland roads in Yorkshire
showed how flexible and agile the Audi Q3 177 could be, coping very well with
twisting sections, sweeping curves and many undulating straight roads, all of
varying road surface quality.
Picking the right combination of powertrain modes
and suspension settings dramatically altered the character of the Q3. I did not
like the eco-mode coasting facility as it felt as if the car was running away
too easily, although a brush of the brake pedal instantly disengaged it and
returned geared drive, but the odder element of this set up was a marked
jerkiness from the seven-speed automatic box moving through some of the lower
gears and which disappeared when the dynamic-mode was selected.
It is roomy, slightly firm in damping even in the
gentlest setting, but it handles well, turns sharply and slows quickly and
without drama on damp surfaces.
The best selling petrol version is likely to be the
170ps SE manual and this seemed to pull away more smartly from junctions and
was nippier overtaking, with a light clutch and direct and short gearchange
action.
I also preferred the ride quality in this version
without any electronic drive or suspension enhancements and it did not seem to
suffer any deterioriation in handling and roadholding either as a result of
being simpler, and cheaper.
The test model was £24,780 in basic form and had a
more modest list of £6,130 extras.
The petrol version returned an indicated 25.1mpg
compared to 35.8mpg for the diesel and that is a big difference when you run
them for two or three years, effectively getting a free fuel fill up every
third time if you pick the diesel over the petrol. That will be a big deciding
factor for many buyers who can look beyond the initial purchase prices.
Both models have very good seats, room for five,
with reasonably good visibility around, a decent shaped and sized boot, quick
folding back seats and low noise levels thanks to good sound insulation.
I dont think there is any doubt that this latest
model is going to be success for Audi and serious challenger to the new Range
Rover Evoque or longer established BMW X1. Audi's desirable SUV queue has just
got longer. © Robin Roberts
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