Audi reveal 2012 Q3 ahead of Shanghai

After teasing us with a number of design sketches, Audi has finally revealed the 2012 Q3 in all its glory ahead of the upcoming Shanghai Auto Show.

The premium compact SUV, which weighs less than 1,500 kg in its basic form, is built on the VW Tiguan platform. It will be available with a choice of four engines; two petrol and two diesels. All of the four cylinder engines will have a displacement of 2.0 litres and between 280 to 380 Nm of torque.

The petrol TFSI variants will deliver either 125 kW (170 hp) or 155 kW (211 hp), with the latter option allowing the Q3 to reach 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds. A 130 kW (177 hp) TDI diesel will be available immediately on launch while a less powerful 103 kW (140 hp) TDI diesel will become available shortly after. The less powerful diesel, which is the only front-wheel-drive model of the range, will average less than 5.2 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres according to Audi. The three other vehicles will feature Audi’s quattro permanent all-wheel drive.

Transmissions for the Q3 will be a six-speed manual gearbox for the 103 kW 2.0 TDI and the 125 kW 2.0 TFSI, and a seven-speed S tronic gearbox for the more powerful petrol and diesel. These models will also feature paddle shifting as well as an ‘efficiency mode’, where S tronic disengages a clutch and allows the Q3 to roll freely in order to improve fuel consumption.

Customisation will be a major selling point for the new Q3. For the exterior, twelve choices of colour and five add-on parts packages will be selectable. Packages include an off-road styling package and the S line exterior package for ‘sporty’ customers. On the interior there will be a choice of five colour concepts, three fabric designs, three leather designs and four inlay options. Add to this the extensive options list which includes the likes of a panoramic glass roof and electrically adjustable and heated seats.  

Sticking with the interior, the Q3 will feature an impressive luggage capacity which expands from 460 litres to 1,365 litres when the split rear seats are folded down. Other features include the Audi connect infotainment system with 14 Bose speakers and a number of driver assist features such as side assist, active lane assist and automatic parking assist.

The 2012 Q3 will go on sale first in Germany this June, with a starting price of 29,900 euros for the basic version.