Audi Q3 SUV: We have launch

What is it?

While an ever-growing cohort of electric vehicles continues to ‘froth the coffee’ of automobile sales, there are still fossil fuelled ICE (internal combustion engine) alternatives stirring under the surface.

One such stalwart of the ‘old order’ is the Audi Q3 SUV and Sportback, one of the German marque’s best-selling models worldwide and a cornerstone of Audi Down Under.

The next generation has just landed with a broader model range aimed at city folk seeking a versatile premium all-rounder for everyday living.

To celebrate the introduction, Launch Edition variants are on offer across 110kW and 150kW models with additional sporty enhancements at keen prices.

These include black exterior styling package, metallic paint, 19-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels, red brake callipers, adaptive dampers and a sound actuator.

What’s it cost?

Available in SUV and Sportback styles, calling on three petrol engines of 110, 150 and 195kW, comes to market at $61,600, plus on-road costs, for the Q3 SUV TFSI, ranging to the flagship Q3 Sportback TFSI quattro at $84,400.

On test was the Q3 SUV TFSI 150kW quattro Launch Edition, selling for $74,600, plus on-road costs.

The new Q3 SUV muscles in with a more mature stance, with advanced lighting a highlight of the confident front and prominent wheel arches with reference to Audi’s quattro roots.

Out back a full-width light strip and illuminated Audi rings (a first for an Australian model) emphasise the vehicle’s street presence.

The Launch Edition on test was dressed up with metallic paint, 19-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels, red brake callipers and a black exterior styling package, including mirrors with heating and folding, auto dimming, with memory, plus kerbside checking on passenger side. Alongside were adaptive dampers and sound actuator.

The Q3 is the first Audi to debut a new advanced MMI system inspired by the marque’s latest PPE and PPC platform vehicles.

Further enhancements are designed to improve usability and aesthetics.

A curved digital layout integrates an 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit with a 12.8-inch central touchscreen for MMI satellite navigation display creating an immersive digital environment, which includes a premium Audi sound system with 10 speakers and subwoofer putting out 260W of power.

There’s also a smartphone interface, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto access and an induction phone charger with adaptive cooling.

Every new Q3 carries the most comprehensive suite of safety systems offered on this segment.

Standard inclusions are adaptive cruise assist with active lane assist, active front assist, speed limit sign recognition, 360-degree cameras and the latest park assist plus.

One new feature is parking assistance, which now includes ‘reversing assist’ that can remember the last 50m of the car’s drive and reverse without the driver’s help.

‘Trained Assist’, can learn up to five specific parking situations, that can be programed and saved.

So, the car can park itself in future.

Disappointing to see a windscreen head-up display is not included across the range.

All new Q3s are covered by Audi Australia’s comprehensive ownership program, including 5-year unlimited kilometre warranty and 12 years manufacturing warranty for bodywork against corrosion perforation for new vehicles.

Five-year service plans are available of both models.

What’s it go like?

The cabin has been given a horizontal focus through the use of premium materials, while a new steering column-mounted gear selector and switches provide ergonomic advances, at the same time freeing up space in the centre console.

Sport-style front seats with integrated headrests further add to the dynamic positioning of the mid-ranger between the pair of siblings.

Occupants enjoy the benefit of triple-zone climate control.

The test car was the Q3 SUV TFSI 150kW quattro Launch Edition, a step up from the 110kW entry-level but left wanting for performance of the 195kW flagship.

Needless to say, the 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder unit stumped up 320Nm of torque and combined with a seven-speed S tronic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive was claimed to cross the 100km line from standstill in 7.1 seconds — compared to the 5.7 seconds for the 195kW.

Combined urban/highway fuel economy for the 150kW models is a claimed 7.3L/100km.

The test SUV recorded 9.1L in city and suburbs and 5.6L on a motorway outing, with recommended 95 RON premium petrol.

With active families in mind, the Q3 TFSI quattro 150kW sets out to balance performance with refinement and versatility making a play for drivers chasing quattro confidence, cutting-edge design and an edge-of-the-seat experience.

Control is now taken through a new unit that combines indicators, wipers and gear selector on a single stick mounted on the steering column.

It can be awkward at first but a day or so of activity has it sorted.

Audi has played around with the steering a variable ratio steering rack now standard across the range.

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This results in a more responsive action to driver inputs.

Also, the Q3 models feature Audi Drive Select that continuously monitors real time data from sensors and adjusts instantaneously to cater for any of the following modes the driver has selected: Efficiency, Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual.