Photo: Audi
Just as it promised, Audi is not beating around the bush and is putting the updated Q3 model for 2015 on sale in Germany only days after its web reveal. The German market configurator is already online and we investigated to see what's different to the pre-facelift model that so many Europeans have bought since its launch in 2011.
Last week, Audi promised the 2015 Q3 would be available with a total of three TFSI and three TDI clean diesel fourcylinder engines. However, not all of them are available at launch. The company treats the engine+gearbox+drivetrain as one single powertrain option and so far only four of the these are available. In 2015, around 10 or so should be ready, but the ones they offer so far are pretty good.
The base model Q3 comes with a 1.4 TFSI with cylinder on demand and an S tronic auto gearbox for €31,550. That's significantly more than the €29,600 base price they promised, but it's understandable because of the technology available. But do you really want a front-wheel drive small crossover with a 6-speed auto? Well, you probably do, but there are better choices.
For €32,000, you can get the Q3 with a 150 horsepower 2-liter TDI diesel and a six-speed manual gearbox. Fuel consumption is noticeably better and there is a lot more torque as well. For some totally unfathomable reason, there's also a Q3 2.0 TDI ultra model available for just €100 more, offering a minute improvement in fuel consumption of about 0.2 l/100km.
As is usually the case with an Audi model, the options list is long. There are now three equipment lines to choose from, standard Q3, Q3 Sport and Q3 Design. The S line kit is also available for both the exterior and interior, but for the first time ever, the Q3 looks decent even without it because its standard side intakes are bigger. 12 different exterior colors and many more wheel choices ranging from 17 to 20 inches give customers with deep enough pockets the chance to make this small SUV look a little different.
We got ours to go well over €40,000 without much trouble and invite you to do the same in the official Audi Q3 German configurator. However, be warned that most of the stuff you expect as standard from a premium car isn't offered, like heated seats or LED interior lighting.
The base model Q3 comes with a 1.4 TFSI with cylinder on demand and an S tronic auto gearbox for €31,550. That's significantly more than the €29,600 base price they promised, but it's understandable because of the technology available. But do you really want a front-wheel drive small crossover with a 6-speed auto? Well, you probably do, but there are better choices.
For €32,000, you can get the Q3 with a 150 horsepower 2-liter TDI diesel and a six-speed manual gearbox. Fuel consumption is noticeably better and there is a lot more torque as well. For some totally unfathomable reason, there's also a Q3 2.0 TDI ultra model available for just €100 more, offering a minute improvement in fuel consumption of about 0.2 l/100km.
All-wheel drive or an automatic gearbox. Pick one
Only one Q3 is listed with all-wheel drive, the 2.0 TDI quattro 6-speed costing €33,950. That's right, you can either order all-wheel drive or an automatic, not both… at least for now.As is usually the case with an Audi model, the options list is long. There are now three equipment lines to choose from, standard Q3, Q3 Sport and Q3 Design. The S line kit is also available for both the exterior and interior, but for the first time ever, the Q3 looks decent even without it because its standard side intakes are bigger. 12 different exterior colors and many more wheel choices ranging from 17 to 20 inches give customers with deep enough pockets the chance to make this small SUV look a little different.
We got ours to go well over €40,000 without much trouble and invite you to do the same in the official Audi Q3 German configurator. However, be warned that most of the stuff you expect as standard from a premium car isn't offered, like heated seats or LED interior lighting.
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