Comments on: Audi New Q3 Previewed

By: JJ

JJ — Thu, 15 May 2008 09:28:00 +0000

Seems like a 95% Q5 to me.

Especially if they are just going to sell it with the same engines the Q5 is available with like you say they will.

The Q5 is based on the Tiguan, so I find this a little hard to believe.

Maybe if they make just a 3-door version, but that would be a very small niche they’re catering to.

By: Mirko Reinhardt

Mirko Reinhardt — Thu, 15 May 2008 08:58:53 +0000

I’m confused – if it’s based on the A3’s platform it can’t physically accept the 3.0 diesel. It’s a 60-degree V6- doesn’t fit in that platform.

By: akitadog

akitadog — Thu, 15 May 2008 03:51:42 +0000

Phil, might that be the Allroad you’re thinking of?

This Q3 is an utter waste of Audi’s time and money. The A3 is already a great little wagon, and this thing just adds weight and height. And if you wanted something a bit bigger than the A3, there’s already the A4 Avant.

Looks like Audi is stealing plays from the GM playbook under the section called “Competing with Yourself.”

By: phil

phil — Wed, 14 May 2008 19:23:41 +0000

i second (third?) the above comments. audi had a terrific raised wagon (can’t remember what they called it) but it was a direct competitor with the raised volvo wagon (XC70?). anyway, these raised wagons have the elevated sitting position, all wheel drive, and butch attitude of the SUVs without the downside of weight, sucky gas mileage, etc. it’s basically the Subaru formula but a little bigger and fancier. works for me.

By: improvement_needed

improvement_needed — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:10:40 +0000

akm:
well put.

however, given market trends, they can make 2-3k more profit/vehicle selling a ‘tall wagon’ than a regular height wagon…

By: AKM

AKM — Wed, 14 May 2008 15:55:59 +0000

Let’s also hope Audi designers do something about the rendering’s weird flank lines, which have a confused, Bangle-on-PCP feel– especially compared to the clean lines of the A3.

Word.

Audi produces the most handsome wagons. Period

It also produces the most ugly SUVs.

Bottom line? Audi should stick with wagons and spend some money on marketing to make them cool again, instead of coming up with those horrible SUVs (regardless of how they’re actually called).