Photo: autoevolution
First shown in 2011, Audi's Q3 baby SUV is due for a makeover and we have the first photos previewing the changes that are about to be made.
Audi's facelifts are usually dull and lack major changes. Not these ones though. A new design language is peaking from underneath the camouflage and will likely also influence the upcoming new Q7 full-size model.
What the heck are we talking about? It's simple, really: the grille has a more 3-dimensional effect and are connected to the headlights through a strip of trim. We've seen the design on numerous renderings from German and American publications over the past year, leading us to believe Audi has let some details slip.
As for the headlights on the prototype, they appear to be the old HID units with new LED accents around the edges, a bit of a a letdown.
Perhaps even more important than the design are the new engines. Q3 buyers are largely people with families who need better fuel economy. Audi will thus likely bring the new EA288 TDI 2-liter TDI and EA888 petrol engines.
This will include a 150 hp 1.4 TFSI base model, a 150 hp base TDI instead of the current 140 hp, a 185 hp top-spec TDI instead of the current 177 hp model and a new, more powerful 2.0 TFSI. All engines will have slightly more torque and up to 15% better fuel economy. Although only rumored, an all-new seven-speed Audi-developed twin-clutch could replace the current six-speed S-tronic double clutch unit.
The new Q3 will be revealed towards the end of the year, most likely at the Paris show in November or just before that on the web. Audi of America has already announced the Q3 small SUV will be sold there as a 2015 model year. However, they didn't show this updated model, which could be delayed another year. Remember, the A8 facelift which Europeans have been buying since 2013 is only now going on sale in the US. The officially presented, non-facelift Q3 for the US will be powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged L4 making 200 hp.
What the heck are we talking about? It's simple, really: the grille has a more 3-dimensional effect and are connected to the headlights through a strip of trim. We've seen the design on numerous renderings from German and American publications over the past year, leading us to believe Audi has let some details slip.
As for the headlights on the prototype, they appear to be the old HID units with new LED accents around the edges, a bit of a a letdown.
Perhaps even more important than the design are the new engines. Q3 buyers are largely people with families who need better fuel economy. Audi will thus likely bring the new EA288 TDI 2-liter TDI and EA888 petrol engines.
This will include a 150 hp 1.4 TFSI base model, a 150 hp base TDI instead of the current 140 hp, a 185 hp top-spec TDI instead of the current 177 hp model and a new, more powerful 2.0 TFSI. All engines will have slightly more torque and up to 15% better fuel economy. Although only rumored, an all-new seven-speed Audi-developed twin-clutch could replace the current six-speed S-tronic double clutch unit.
The new Q3 will be revealed towards the end of the year, most likely at the Paris show in November or just before that on the web. Audi of America has already announced the Q3 small SUV will be sold there as a 2015 model year. However, they didn't show this updated model, which could be delayed another year. Remember, the A8 facelift which Europeans have been buying since 2013 is only now going on sale in the US. The officially presented, non-facelift Q3 for the US will be powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged L4 making 200 hp.
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