Photo: Original image by autoevolution
Not too long ago, we stumbled upon the upcoming Audi Q3 testing somewhere in Germany. The new SUV impressed with a new design around the front fascia that seemed to point out a new tendency over in Ingolstadt.
Now, our spy photographers caught up with it again and this time, they also captured its competition on film, the 2015 BMW F48 X1. The two share a couple of characteristics and will heat up the crossover segment once they are launched.
Just like the Audi, BMW will go to front-wheel-drive platforms with the new X1 that will be based on the UKL1 platform shared with MINI and the future 1 Series. It will be the second FWD vehicle in the company’s history, after the 2 Series Active Tourer that will reach dealerships worldwide this fall.
Of course, the two will also be available with their companies’ all-wheel-drive systems, quattro for the Audi and xDrive for the Bimmer. The Munich-based company actually hinted that only such models will reach the US shore, keeping Americans away from the FWD madness.
As for the engines, that’s where the two will be differentiated the most. The Q3 will come out with a 1.4-liter TFSI 4-cylinder engine making 150 HP, a similarly powered 2-liter TDI unit and one with 185 HP and, probably, a top of the line 2-liter TFSI making in excess of 200 HP.
The BMW, on the other hand, will be using the new 1.5-liter 3-cylinder powerplants making 136 HP (found on the MINI Cooper) or the 2-liter 4-cylinder ones making 192 and 231 HP (as seen on the Cooper S and the 225i Active Tourer), depending on the application.
As for the diesels, the same 1.5-liter diesel plant with 3 cylinders found on the Cooper D will most likely be used as well as the new 2-liter unit from the Cooper SD, making 170 HP and 360 Nm (265 lb-ft) of torque. The twin-turbo from the 225d model, making 218 HP and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque could also show up in the configurator.
Both cars are apparently going to make their first appearances towards the end of the year, most likely at the Paris Motor Show. Audi already announced that the upcoming Q3 will be sold in the US as an 2015 model. That means we’ll see the production model in December, at the latest. As for the BMW, no official word has come through yet and the car seems to be in the early testing stages, judging by the headlights.
Even so, the competition will surely heat up, especially since Audi is currently working on the new Q7 that will take on the current X5 that is outselling the Ingolstadt offering in every market.
Just like the Audi, BMW will go to front-wheel-drive platforms with the new X1 that will be based on the UKL1 platform shared with MINI and the future 1 Series. It will be the second FWD vehicle in the company’s history, after the 2 Series Active Tourer that will reach dealerships worldwide this fall.
Of course, the two will also be available with their companies’ all-wheel-drive systems, quattro for the Audi and xDrive for the Bimmer. The Munich-based company actually hinted that only such models will reach the US shore, keeping Americans away from the FWD madness.
As for the engines, that’s where the two will be differentiated the most. The Q3 will come out with a 1.4-liter TFSI 4-cylinder engine making 150 HP, a similarly powered 2-liter TDI unit and one with 185 HP and, probably, a top of the line 2-liter TFSI making in excess of 200 HP.
The BMW, on the other hand, will be using the new 1.5-liter 3-cylinder powerplants making 136 HP (found on the MINI Cooper) or the 2-liter 4-cylinder ones making 192 and 231 HP (as seen on the Cooper S and the 225i Active Tourer), depending on the application.
As for the diesels, the same 1.5-liter diesel plant with 3 cylinders found on the Cooper D will most likely be used as well as the new 2-liter unit from the Cooper SD, making 170 HP and 360 Nm (265 lb-ft) of torque. The twin-turbo from the 225d model, making 218 HP and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque could also show up in the configurator.
Both cars are apparently going to make their first appearances towards the end of the year, most likely at the Paris Motor Show. Audi already announced that the upcoming Q3 will be sold in the US as an 2015 model. That means we’ll see the production model in December, at the latest. As for the BMW, no official word has come through yet and the car seems to be in the early testing stages, judging by the headlights.
Even so, the competition will surely heat up, especially since Audi is currently working on the new Q7 that will take on the current X5 that is outselling the Ingolstadt offering in every market.
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