Saar: While its launch in Europe is scheduled for November 2018, it will come to India next year.
As promised, Audi has taken the wraps off the all-new, second-generation Q3 today. And sure, you’ll be forgiven to call it a Q8 in small size. The extra small size is reserved for the Q2 which, in international markets, sits below the Q3. But a generation change for that is not likely to happen anytime soon. The new Audi Q3 will launch across Europe in November this year. India will get it by sometime in 2019.
The new Audi Q3 rides on Volkswagen’s MQB platform. It measures 4,485mm in length, 1,856mm in width and 1,585mm in height. Compared to the first-gen Q3, the new one is 97mm longer, 25mm wider but 5mm shorter. Along with the increased length and width, the wheelbase has also grown by 77mm to 2,650mm. All those plusses in numbers jointly deliver a more commodious cabin and a larger luggage area. Speaking of which, based on how the 40:20:40 split rear seats have been tilted, arranged or folded, the cargo volume ranges from 530 litres to 1,525 litres.
Audi has tried to make the new Q3 look sportier than its predecessor. And with its pronounced shoulder lines, slightly shorter height and svelte haunches over the wheel arches, it somewhat does. The combination of the three-dimensional front grille with vertical slats, flanked by slim headlamp enclosures, looks remarkably similar to what the all-new A1 got and, of course, the flagship model Q8 before that. Wheel sizes on the new Audi Q3 are available from 17-inches, right up to the 20-inch mark. It seems that Audi didn’t try too hard to redesign the rear end. The overall layout remains almost the same as before. However, the wraparound taillamps feature a similar three-tier LED layout as the DRLs in the headlamps. The rear bumper, just like the front one, has been redesigned to accentuate the car’s sporty character.
Inside the cabin, the second-gen Audi Q3 really does look like a Q8 for poor people. The dashboard layout is quite similar to the flagship Q model with the obvious misses such as the dual screens in the centre console. The standard 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which comes with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, can be upgraded to a 10-inch one. Both side above the physical controls of the HVAC system.
In the upholstery department, the new Audi Q3 will be offered in three versions – the basic, Audi design selection and the S line interior package. The latter two will come with sports seats, which can be optionally trimmed in a combination of leather/artificial leather and Alcantara. Audi will also offer to drape the instrument panels and door armrests in three different colours, one of which is bold orange.
As standard, the Audi Q3 comes with features like lane departure warning, pre-sense front safety system, a digital instrument cluster, MMI radio including Bluetooth, multifunction steering wheel and LED headlights.
At the time of its European launch, the new Audi Q3 will be available with five engine versions – three petrol and two diesel. The entry-level Q3 35 TFSI will house a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine with 150PS on tap. The larger 2.0-litre turbo-petrol will be available in two states of tune – 190PS (40 TFSI) and 230PS (45 TFSI). The diesel will have a displacement of 2.0-litres but, like the 2.0-litre petrol, will be available in two tunes – 150PS (35 TDI) and 190PS (40 TDI).
India is likely to get the lesser tunes of both the 2.0-litre powerplants. Once it goes on sale, it will be competing with the likes of the Volvo XC40, BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA and the Mini Countryman.
What's your reaction?
