The love for SUVs increased in India over the past 5 years. While the compact models from dominating brands like Maruti, Hyundai, Honda and Tata do sell in high numbers, the passion for utility vehicles is also evident in choice of luxury cars. And from the lavish German vehicles it’s the Q3 that became the top selling car by Audi in Indian market.
After 2015, another facelift version of this ‘most affordable’ Audi SUV has now been launched. The outgoing Q3 was already doing better than competitors BMW X1 and Mercedes GLA in terms of sales but Audi has brought in a more mature facelift to up the ante.
Audi has refreshed the Q3 line up bringing in an all-new petrol version as the 30 TFSI with 1.4 litre four –cylinder petrol engine. It generates 150 hp and has 250 Nm of torque. This is the same engine that powers A4 and also the new A3 but unlike the A3 you don’t get cylinder-on-demand technology for the SUV. The petrol Q3 has 6-speed dual clutch gearbox and is a front wheel drive.
For the range topping diesel (35TDI) the Q3 is still has its 2 litre, 4 cylinder turbo engine but in the facelifted version the power got increased to 184 hp from 176 hp. The torque rating is 380 Nm. This unit is coupled with seven speed dual clutch transmission.
The third variant of Q3 is 30TDI powered by same 2.0 litre, 4 cylinder diesel engine but in a lower state of tune. It churns out 150 hp and 340 Nm torque. It is a front wheel drive but the 6 speed manual gearbox of the pre-facelifted car has been replaced by seven speed dual clutch transmission.
What changes did the facelift bring? The Q3 already has had a makeover 2 years back and so this was a mild one. It gives the SUV a redesigned front bumper with black plastic claddings. The big chrome lined grille and sleeker headlamps were introduced in the 2015 facelift. Two years later these headlamps are full LED units for all variants. The indicators for both front and rear are dynamic – swiping in the direction of the turn. LED tail lamps are common features across the refreshed Q3 line-up. Furthermore, all variants have 17 inch alloy wheels with 235/55 R17 tyres as standard fittings.
The interiors of the Audi Q3 feel spacious with comfortable seating done up in leatherette and ample leg space both in the front and the back. There are two upholstery colours to choose from- all black or black and beige. Wood trims have also been replaced with metallic finished textures. There is a panoramic sunroof standard in all variants and so is electric power steering as well as three zone climate control. The dashboard has been kept simple and functional paired with a waterfall centre console. Steering mounted controls have been given for operating the sleek infotainment unit.
With this facelift, the German car maker has also streamlined Q3 variants on offer. The 30TFSI and 30TDI are only available in Premium trim while the 35TDI comes in Premium Plus and Technology trim too.
What’s good is that even the buyers of Premium variants will have those goodies - panoramic sunroof and power adjustable front seats. The Premium Plus trim does not particularly get any more features over this but it does have richer aluminium-look inlays. The top-spec Technology trim costs more but brings along paddle shifters, SD card-based navigation, and a colour multi-info display in the instruments binnacle among other features.
Car safety is covered through six airbags with ABS (Anti Lock Braking System) with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution), ESP (Electronic Stability Control) and electronic vehicle immobilization. Other safety features include hill start assist, hill descent assist, reverse camera and cruise control.
The Q3 30TFSI is priced at Rs 32.2 lakhs and 30TDI at 34.2 lakh. The 35TDI variants are in range of Rs 37.2 lakh – 41.2 lakh (all prices ex-showroom, Delhi)
As for range of colours you get the facelifted Q3 in Cortina White, Floret Silver, Mythos Black, Misano Red and Hainan Blue. Both the petrol as well as the diesel variants deliver a fuel efficiency of approximately 16 kmpl.
For a small European luxury car, the Q3 is an agreeable buy with its set of features and driving dynamics. To check details on performance, ride and handling look out for our road test.
A five door compact crossover SUV, the Audi Q3 evolved from Audi Cross Coupe Quattro that was originally devised by Julian Hoenig in 2006. It was a concept car with 20 inch wheels and electrically controlled bonnet. It was equipped with a 2.0 TDI engine that churned out a power of 204 PS and had a torque of 400 Nm. This Audi was unveiled at Shanghai Motor Show in April 2007.
Audi Q3 actually went in to full scale production in June 2011. It was planned and positioned as a lifestyle/sports vehicle. As against this, the mid-luxury compact Q5 and full-size Q7 are marketed on basis of their utility and off-road performance. The design and development work for Q3 had started after board approval in 2007 and Julian Hoenig`s design was selected for production.
The car was launched in India in mid 2012 with its 2.0 litre TDI engine. And soon, in February 2013, the petrol variant of this SUV (2.0 TSI) also reached markets.
A compact SUV, the Q3 measures less than 4.4 metres from its nose to rear and this makes it 250 mm shorter then the Q5. Unlike what some people think, the Q3 is not based on Audi A4’s platform. It is actually shares its basics with the Volkswagen Tiguan – a smaller SUV sold in some other markets around the globe. The engine in Q3 models is transversely mounted and this allows for better interior packaging.
With its neat lines and sharp styling, the Q3 sports all Audi looks. The sleek headlamps have LED daytime running lights and the chrome lined fog lamps on sides of front bumper look attractive. The large trapezoid front grille with the Audi rings gives it a sporty stance. There’s a crease running through the bottom of door panels and a thinner swage line between the headlamps and the tail lights. The roof line slopes markedly towards the ground and the D-posts resemble that of a coupe. At the rear, the triangular LED tail lamps add plenty of style to this SUV’s profile. Additionally, Audi Q3 has slim LED light strips on the rear bumper.
Even if it is the smallest of SUVs in its Q range, the German car maker has not been skimpy on comfort and equipment for Q3’s cabin. Like most tallboy design cars, getting in and out of Audi Q3 is also pretty easy. The roomy interiors of the Audi Q3 complement the external design’s sinewy yet gentle styling. The two tone cabin also has a good share of kit and kaboodle. It has an uncluttered and simple layout as in most other Audi cars. Dark coloured carpeting is a good choice for Q3 in India. Climate control, rake & reach adjustable steering wheel and practically sculpted cubby holes for storage are some standard features.
The front seats can be power adjusted for height and lumbar support. They are large, ergonomic and offer adequate thigh support. The rear visibility however is not very good from the driver’s seat but the reverse parking camera (in high end variants) and those parking sensors prove helpful. With a 6.5 inch centre screen for MID display and steering mounted controls, it is pretty easy to view and toggle through the data.
Both the cars (2.0 TDI and 2.0 TSI) have their engines mated to 7 speed automatic transmission. In October 2013, Audi launched a new ‘S edition’ of diesel Q3 with 6 speed manual gearbox. While the 2 litre petrol engine churns out power of 208 bhp & has 30.6 kgm of torque, the diesel engine has power of 174 bhp and 38.7 kgm of torque.
The list of safety features comprises ESP, ABS, EBD, electronic diff lock, and 8 airbags (6 in S edition).
The fuel efficiency for diesel driven Q3 ranges between 10.5 km/litre (city) to 14 km/litre and for the petrol powered version it is 9 km/litre to 11 km/litre. You can choose this Audi SUV from a range of colours that include Caribou Brown, Amalfi White, Samoa Orange, Phantom Black, Cobalt Blue Metallic and Ice Silver.
Audi has kept a price tag of Rs 24.99 lakh (ex showroom price Delhi) for the manual variant 2.0 TDI (S). The price range for other versions is between Rs 30.46 lakh to Rs 35.85 lakh.
The Q3 was honoured as the most favourite off-road vehicle in ‘crossover category’ by readers of OFF ROAD magazine in February 2012. It also won Urban Car of the Year-BBC Top-Gear Award in 2012, Import SUV of the year - CNBC TV18 Overdrive Award 2012 and CBU SUV of the year-ET ZIGWheels Awards 2012.
Compact dimensions, effortless to drive, strong performer and reasonably priced for a car of its class – Audi Q3 is an SUV that does win many hearts too!