Audi Diversifies Interior Trim for 2012 Q3

Audi would have us believe they make interesting and exciting interiors for every car, but the fact of the matter is they actually make boring sedans for executives and their families. It's usually a mix of well put together grays, blacks and a splash of silver here and there. However, there’s still hope as the Ingolstadt carmaker has the little A1 with plenty of customization options, and now the Q3.

Platinum or truffle beige inlays come as standard on the little crossover, but the Colour and Trim Team have developed further options for owners wanting that little extra. The first new trim piece is a dark brown larch wood inlay. “We want to give the exterior and the interior a strong aesthetic – its very own soul,” said team member Rosalie Schrader. To achieve this, the wood is left in a more natural state, making it feel rougher to the touch.

“The soft structure of the early wood that grows during the fast growth phase of the tree in spring forms slightly raised stripes. The late wood, on the other hand, grows in summer and condenses into a harder structure in the wood relief. Accordingly, these stripes are deeper,” Audi says.

For those who fin wood to be too old-fashioned for the interior of a brand-new Audi, there’s a 3D aluminum mesh material. Constructed from brushed aluminium, stamped with a tiny honeycomb pattern, the mesh is then backed with a white holographic-surfaced material.

“We wanted to combine two technically sophisticated surfaces in order to produce a completely new look,” said Susanne Stobe, Head of the Color and Trim Team, trying to explain the idea behind their design.