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testrack audi q3
32 Auto India may 2012
Omne Trium Perfectum! They say all good things come in threes. Is the Q3 going to be Audi’s lucky charm then? Text & Photos: Cyrus Dhabhar
may 2012 Auto India 33
testrack audi q3
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t’s the third coming for what Audi proudly calls the Q-life. The all-new and well-anticipated Q3 is finally heading to our shores and we get under the sheets with it to tell you what the hoopla is all about. Many people wonder if the Q3 will be as much fun to drive as the Q5 and the Q7 are, and Audi hasn’t disappointed. In terms of pure dynamic abilities, the Q3 is far superior to most other offerings in a similar price range. The workhorse 2.0-litre Diesel mill feels as robust as ever and with 177 horses and 380Nm of torque, the Q3 feels quick. Much of that quickness can be attributed though to the Dual Clutch 7-speed S-Tronic gearbox, which 34 Auto India may 2012
thankfully shifts gears quickly and efficiently, resulting in negligible losses in revs while shifting up or down. This is most certainly one of the better gearboxes on offer right now in India. The brilliant gearbox and engine combination coupled with Audi’s legendary ‘Quattro’ All Wheel Drive system is a potent combination. The Q3, although a generically top heavy automobile feels planted through bends even at relatively high speeds. Although the steering feels a little light, as is the norm with most Audi vehicles, it is precise and gives a generic sporty feel that is expected from an Audi product.
We at Auto India would much rather have a steering feel that is light at low and moderate speeds but precise as compared to one that has a well weighted feel but fumbles when thrown into corners. The suspension is a tad on the stiffer side, but still feels well sprung and comfortable enough; and as Audi is specifically targeting a younger consumer for the Q3, we are sure the slightly stiffer and sportier feel of the car in general will be well appreciated. We even tried a bit of off-roading with the Q3 half expecting it to be an underperformer; but with its off-road traction control setup, it passed even the toughest tests with flying results. On the exterior front, the Q3 immediately harks back to its bigger brothers the Q5 and the
Q7; it is unmistakably an Audi Q car. The front is festooned with the traditional large Audi radiator grille with its trademark four Audi roundels. The headlights are most certainly the pièce-de-résistance of the exterior. The departure from the
traditional individual LED daytime running lights to a new one that looks like something out of ‘Tron’ certainly gets our approval. The rear lights are similarly designed in typical Audi simplicity and carry on the same LED strip effect and tie up the may 2012 Auto India 35
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distinct and bold lines of the Q3 perfectly. We would like to particularly point out the bold new shade of Orange offered by Audi on the Q3 is certainly the boldest (and most welcome) move amongst the three German manufacturers. The same Audi quality and style gets carried on to the interior with the expected beige and grey interiors looking a tad bit monotonous. But we are sure
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the Indian public expects these colours and design elements, and the interior will be well liked by a younger and dynamic audience; precisely the kind of people Audi is looking to woo with this car. With Audi showing rampant progress both in terms of sales and overall brand recognition, we are sure that the Q3 will be well received by the brand and value conscious Indian public.
spec check Price: 30 lakhs estimated Engine: 1968cc, 4 cylinder, turbo diesel, 177bhp @ 4200rpm, 380Nm @ 1750-2500rpm Drive: Quattro 4-wheel drive Gearbox: 7-speed S-Tronic Brakes F/R: Ventilated disc with ABS, ESP / Disc with ABS, ESP Tyres: 215/65 R16 Dimensions L/W/H (mm): 4385/1831/1608 Wheelbase (mm): 2603 Kerb Weight (kg): 1585 Equipment Alloy wheels Anti lock brakes Airbag Audio system/MP3 Central locking/remote Climate control/rear A/C vents Electric mirrors/retracting Electric seats Parking sensor Tilt steering Traction control
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