We revealed one possible look for Audi’s upcoming Q3 crossover late last year, but with new vehicles like the Sportback concept indicating Audi’s future design direction, we sent our artists back to the drawing board to give us an updated illustration. The result is a more radical design, with the little ‘ute taking on a personality all its own.
The Q3 is set to ride on the same VW chassis that the Golf and Tiguan use. We also hear it will have a Haldex all-wheel drive system instead of the usual Torsen all-wheel drive system found on most other Audi vehicles.
In the U.S. market, the Q3 will likely only be available with Audi’s 2.0L TFSI four-cylinder. However, the supercharged V6 found in the 2010 Audi S5 and A6 may find its way under the Q3’s hood. The up-tuned version of the 2.0 TFSI found in the Audi S3 and TTS is a possibility as well. A next-generation version of Audi’s dual clutch “S-tronic” transmission is also a likely bet.
European Q3 buyers will likely have the option of VW’s 1.4-liter TFSI inline-four engine — tuned to somewhere in the neighborhood of 125-150 horsepower — as well as two turbo-diesels powerplants.
Watch for the Q3 to launch in Europe during the summer of 2011, and in the U.S. towards the end of 2011.
08/05, 6:25 PM
posted by:
carmaster4ever
ok whats the purpose of this Q3? we already have the Q5 isn’t that expensive enough ( for it to only be a tiguan) let alone the Q7! great now bmw has a x1 competitor!
TOO MANY CROSSOVERS PEOPLE!!!!!!
08/05, 6:36 PM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
Well let’s see.. the Q5 cannibalized sales of the Q7 after it was introduced. Could the Q3 do the same to the Q5? Probably makes sense for the future corporate MPG requirements.
At least they are (slowly) starting to add some kinks to that huge open trout mouth grill so maybe by 2018 it will actually look decent.
08/05, 6:37 PM
posted by:
cocojoe53
I love Audi’s. But oh my, they are by far way over priced. The Q5 came in at essentually the same price as the Q7. The Q3 will cost 40K plus also.
08/05, 6:37 PM
posted by:
wakeNbake
I actually like it. It looks like a 4 door Scirocco on stilts.
08/05, 6:40 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
Front reminds me of the 3-series Coupe a little bit. I hate to admit it, but cocojoe has a good point – it will end up being priced with a couple thousand of the Q5. There just isn’t enough pricing room for all these models.
08/05, 6:56 PM
posted by:
gugy
Looks nice but I don’t see the point since the Q5 is already here. Unless the price is much better than Q5, it just makes no sense to have a car that is so much alike the other.
08/05, 7:02 PM
posted by:
A4
…a manual transmission would be outstanding Audi. Youve got a couple years to make it right.
08/05, 7:50 PM
posted by:
mayer_ray_nagin
It doesn’t need AWD. And it doesnt need to be proced over 34k well loaded
08/05, 7:50 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
I think this will be a great seller for audi…assuming they keep the price of a fully loaded model no higher than $42,000-45,000 depending on available options. Please give the option of both manual and dsg!!!!
08/05, 7:56 PM
posted by:
gugy
No matter what this car is looking good.
I hope Audi will offer a much better price points than the Q5 that’s a bit overpriced IMHO.
08/05, 8:02 PM
posted by:
xcatchmyshadowx
the Q5 sells like hot cakes, why should Audi change the price?
08/05, 8:10 PM
posted by:
gugy
I am not saying the Q5 should lower in price (even though, that would be nice), I am saying I hope the Q3 will offer better price points than what the Q5 is offering now. Off course the Q3 will be cheaper than the Q5, but by how much is what I am wondering.
08/05, 8:10 PM
posted by:
A4
This car should start at $28-29k and it will sell like whatever sells more than hotcakes.
08/06, 12:55 AM
posted by:
Veda
Especially in crowded bumpy asian roads. It’ll most likely be more fuel efficient too so it’ll sell.
08/06, 9:12 AM
posted by:
Kevin
150hp? That’s about anemic. The 1st gen Neons were more powerful than that.
08/06, 12:34 PM
posted by:
Borat
I do think there is a need for smallish CUV/SUV like CR-V and RAV-4 used to be. Not the one for over 30K from Audi. You can get AWD Passat wagon (or wagen as VW likes to call it) with same mechanicals and for less coin (well it will be a bit bigger, but will cost less).
08/07, 7:27 PM
posted by:
reedfast
Kevin, we aren’t getting the 1.4 150hp engine, it is for europe. Americans think they need more power.