Audi Q3: Official

Audi Q3 – finally official

Ahead of its official reveal at Shanghai this month, the baby SUV that is the Audi Q3 has bowed in, with plenty of detail and lots of photos.

Looking exactly how it was expected to look – pretty much the same as the 2007 Audi Cross Coupe Concept , without the Concepty bits – and ready to fit in under the Q5 and mop up sales from those who want a premium, compact softroader.

Under the skin the Audi Q3 is pure VW Tiguan, but Audi has grafted on a convincing set of sheet metal – and a typical, classy Audi interior – to put proper daylight between the cousins.

Style is something that was obviously uppermost in the minds of the Audi design team, as that coupe-like roofline has meant compromises in accommodation. It’s impossible to say how it feels sitting in the back until we’ve seen the Q3, but the luggage figures are clear – with seats up or down there’s a chunk less space than in the Tiguan.

The Q3 gets a choice of a pair of petrol engines – 2.0 litre turbos with either 168bhp or 208bhp – and, at least at launch, just one oil-burner – the 2.0 litre with 175bhp. Audi are planning on a pauper’s version of the 2.0 litre diesel with 138bhp and FWD, but not until the end of 2011.

Entry-level petrol and diesel lumps will have to make do with a  six-speed manual ‘box, but the bigger engines get Audi’s seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch auto ‘box, which will probably suit the Q3 better.

In the Q3 the s-tronic comes with flappy paddles and the ability to freewheel on a trailing throttle when in eco-mode to save on fuel. Clever stuff.

Unlike its bigger siblings which rely on the sophisticated Torsen full-time 4WD system, the Audi Q3 has to make do with the less complex – and much cheaper – Haldex arrangement used in the Tiguan, although it does benefit from an electronic diff lock and will work perfectly in the very-much-a-softroader Q3.

The interior is typically Audi; simple and high quality. This is where the Q3 stands out from the Tiguan, with quality materials abounding and an option list – with stuff like Bose and Wi-Fi – that could easily see you spending thousands on toys – Audi hopes.

The Audi Q3, as we said the other day, is already being built at SEAT’s plant in Martorell, and buyers will soon be able to grab a Q3. But it won’t be cheap – expect prices to start at £25k.

Another niche filled.

By Cars UK