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We drive 1,200 miles through China in Audi's Q3

Matt Davis — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:55:00 EST

Verdict: China Ain't Kansas

We used our horn more in one week than we had in our entire driving existence.

Audi recently had one of us over to China for a solid week of long drives in that real-world part of China we rarely get to learn about. We report on the country a lot, but save for attending the its auto shows, we've basically been blindly following word of mouth and other media reports - up until now.

Our week-long adventure was admittedly almost entirely on interstate toll roads, but we did get off beaten paths a bit, drove through several chaotic downtown areas, dealt with China's "interesting" traffic scene, paid tolls, refilled fuel tanks, used Chinese roadside restrooms - *gack!* - and used our horn more in one week than we had in our entire driving existence up until this journey.

After a brief gawk at the massive new Audi assembly factory in the more provincial and unbreathable factory-heavy Changchun in the far northeast, we hit the comparatively Vegas-like Shanghai where our drive began. From autumnal downtown Shanghai all the way south to a quite tropical Hong Kong-influenced Shenzhen, we bore witness to a good portion of the Chinese miracle.

Continue reading We drive 1,200 miles through China in Audi's Q3

We drive 1,200 miles through China in Audi's Q3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Dec 2011 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Audi Q3

Matt Davis — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Crossover, Audi, Luxury, Quick Spins

Stylish Urban Trekker Writ Small

2011 Audi Q3 - Click above for high-res image gallery

The idea of a small premium crossover like the new Audi Q3, while certainly not lost on North Americans, does seem to face both corporate and public resistance Stateside. The frequent customer logic goes something like, "It's small and expensive, so why wouldn't I just buy the bigger Q5 or maybe an A4?" Hence most of the reason why Audi North America hesitates on bringing the Q3 over to us.

This sporty, tall sort-of-A3 is considered an "A-SUV" in Europe, belonging to the smallest A-segment of the market there. Built at the underutilized yet state-of-the-art Seat factory in Martorell, Spain, on a spanking new production line, Audi projects annual sales in a full year of 100,000 units. Chief stated competition for the Q3 includes the BMW X1, Land Rover Evoque and the forthcoming Mercedes-Benz BLK currently in prototype testing.

Continue reading 2012 Audi Q3

2012 Audi Q3 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi Q3 made Officially Official ahead of Shanghai Motor Show

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:46:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Audi, Shanghai Motor Show, Diesel, Luxury

2012 Audi Q3 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi is apparently done teasing us with rendering after rendering of its new Q3 crossover. Instead, the German automaker has gone ahead and let the cat completely out of the bag ahead of the cute 'ute's official unveiling at the 2011 Shanghai Motor Show.

As you're likely already aware, the Q3 is Audi's take on how to make a Volkswagen Tiguan into an entry-level luxury model. Naturally, that means entirely new sheetmetal with Audi's well-known gaping grille along with LED lighting all around and a steeply sloping rear hatch. Add it all up and Audi says you get an impressively low drag coefficient of just 0.32.

That shapely rear hatch means there are a few concessions inside. There's 16.24 cubic feet of storage capacity with the rear seats in place, and 48.2 with them folded down. The Tiguan, by way of comparison, offers 18.6 and 56.1, respectively, and even that is about 25 percent smaller than a Honda CR-V or Toyota RAV4. Judging by the shape of the hind quarters, large and bulky items may be a bit tough to fit inside as well.

You won't be asked to skimp on options, though. Adaptive light technology that points the way forward, electronic parking assistance and Audi's hard drive-based MMI infotainment and navigation system will all be available at launch, and an option to turn the Q3 into a wireless hotspot will come in the near future.

Two gasoline and one diesel engine, all with direct injection, will be offered at launch, offering between 140 and 211 horsepower. The two most powerful engines will be mated to Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system via a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. A 170-horsepower gasoline engine will also be offered with front-wheel drive. We'll have to play a game of wait-and-see to find out which of these powertrains make their way Stateside.

Base price in Germany for the 2012 Audi Q3 will be 29,900 euros when it goes on sale in June. For those keeping track, that's about $43,000 at the current exchange rate, though we wouldn't go by that figure when estimating its cost when it eventually hits the U.S. Want to know more? Find all the details in the exhaustive press blast after the break.

Gallery: 2012 Audi Q3

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi Q3 made Officially Official ahead of Shanghai Motor Show

Audi Q3 made Officially Official ahead of Shanghai Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi Q3 sketches released ahead of Shanghai debut

Aaron Richardson — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Crossover, Audi, Shanghai Motor Show, Luxury

2012 Audi Q3 renderings - Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi has confirmed that its 2012 Q3 small crossover will receive its worldwide unveiling at the Shanghai Motor Show later this month. Before the Q3 debuts in the metal, Audi has released a series of sketches hinting what we can expect in a few weeks time.

When the production Q3 debuts it will sit on Volkswagen Tiguan underpinnings, but will be considerably more shapely than its less costly cousin. If these sketches are to be believed, the Q3 owes a little somethin' somethin' to Audi's Cross Coupe Quattro concept shown in Shanghai back in 2007.

The Tiguan's engines and transmissions should carryover into the Q3, which means a turbo four producing around 200 horsepower with a diesel option for Europe.

Gallery: 2011 Audi Q3 sketches

[Source: Audi]

Audi Q3 sketches released ahead of Shanghai debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Apr 2011 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Audi Q3 caught frolicking in the snow

Steven J. Ewing — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 18:31:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Audi

Audi Q3 spy shots - Click above for high-res image gallery

The details on Audi's forthcoming Q3 crossover are slim, and while we still have yet to see a clear set of spy photos (this latest set certainly isn't the greatest, but beggars can't be choosers), there's no doubt that the automaker is prepping its smallest-yet CUV for a debut sometime in 2011. We do understand that the majority of the Q3's groundwork will be based on the Volkswagen Tiguan, though the styling will be more akin to that of Audi's Cross Coupe concept from 2007.

Various reports have stated that the Tiguan's engines and transmissions will carry over to the Q3, so we can expect the Audi to be powered by the automaker's 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, producing somewhere around 200 horsepower. A diesel version is more than likely planned for European markets, though there's no word about whether or not an oil-burning Q3 will make its way Stateside.

Our spies suggest that the Q3 will debut in the second half of 2011 (Frankfurt Motor Show?) with the first models going on sale later that year. Until then, we'll keep our eyes peeled for clearer views of Q3 prototypes out on the road.

Gallery: Spy Shots: Audi Q3

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: Audi Q3 caught frolicking in the snow originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Dec 2010 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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