Audi New Q3 Previewed

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

As body-on-frame SUV sales crater, a number of manufacturers are prepping a new generation of lighter, compact soft-roaders. One such cute ute is Audi's Q3, based on the A3 platform and closely related to VW's Tiguan. Motor Authority has a rendered preview, showing off styling cues from the recently debuted Cross Coupe concept. Expect Ingolstadt's standard 2.0-liter TFSI four-banger, the 3.0 diesel V6 or the 3.6 FSI V6 to motivate the three and five-door Q3s. With Toyota's Urban Cruiser, Ford's Kuga, Landies LRX and BMW's X1 all coming online soon, the Q3 will have plenty of competition when it debuts in July of 2009. An official concept will hit the Auto Show circuit sometime before this time next year. While a higher roofline should help alleviate the A3's cramped cabin, the sharply-falling rear C-pillar won't win any friends amongst those relegated to the Audi's backseats. 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.

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

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  • Phil Phil on May 14, 2008

    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.

  • Akitadog Akitadog on May 14, 2008

    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."

  • Mirko Reinhardt Mirko Reinhardt on May 15, 2008

    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.

  • JJ JJ on May 15, 2008

    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.

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