2015 Audi Q3 Arrives To North America: Comments

[William Maley]

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We've been waiting a while for the Audi Q3 to arrive in the U.S. But next week at the Detroit Auto Show, Audi will reveal the 2015 Q3 that will be going on sale in the third quarter of this year.

Now as reported back in October, Audi wanted the Q3 to be classified as a light truck. However, the model didn't meet certain criteria such as approach angle. The company decided to a mid-cycle refresh to perform these changes and the result is the 2015 Q3.

Looking like a Audi Q5 hit with a shrink ray, the Q3 will be the smallest crossover in Audi's lineup, ready to take on the likes of the BMW X1, Buick Encore, and Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class. Power will come from a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder with 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque paired with a six-speed automatic. Front-wheel drive is standard, with quattro all-wheel drive on the option list.

Standard equipment is very generous on Q3 with electronic stability control with offroad and hill descent settings, eighteen-inch wheels, panoramic sunroof, xenon headlights, power-adjustable front seats with heating, and leather. The option list for the Q3 features such items as navigation, Bose sound system, and a power tailgate.

Source: Audi

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected]or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

Press Release is on Page 2

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Audi enters the premium compact class of SUVs with the sporty and versatile new 2015 Q3

• Q3 will join the already successful family of Audi SUVs that includes the Q5 and Q7
  
• Q3 showcases many of the luxury and technology features found in the full-size vehicles offered by Audi
  
• Available Fall of 2014 with a 200 hp 2.0-liter TFSI® engine and front-wheel drive and available Audi quattro® all-wheel drive
  

The new 2015 Audi Q3 will arrive in the U.S. in the Fall of 2014 and will join the already successful lineup of Audi SUVs that includes the Q5 and Q7. It will make its U.S. debut at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit on January 13th. The Q3 is a premium, compact SUV that pairs coupe-like looks with the utility of a SUV. Its quality engineering and advanced features offer ideal performance and functionality, but also advanced technology and driving dynamics.

"Coming off the recent A3 family announcement we are now for the first time entering into the premium compact class of SUVs with the introduction of the Audi Q3 into our line-up," said Scott Keogh, President, Audi of America. "Our growing SUV family will now offer three distinct products in the premium SUV category; and like the successful Q5 and Q7, the Q3 will continue with the established standards they started with regards to utility, technology, craftsmanship and performance."

Standard Features

The Audi Q3 comes generously appointed with a long list of standard equipment, including:

• 200 hp 2.0-liter TFSI® engine with six-speed Tiptronic® transmission
  
• Panoramic sunroof with power retractable sunshade
  
• Audi xenon plus front lighting with LED DRLs and taillights
  
• Heated, 12-way power front seats
  
• Leather seating surfaces
  
• Audi advanced key
  

Design and Body

The Audi Q3 model's coupe-like lines are an expression of its sporty character. This is demonstrated by:

• Low roof line, flat D-pillars, and a wraparound tailgate
  
• Distinctive exterior lighting
  
• Sharply drawn lines on the flanks frame athletically arched sheet metal surfaces - the defining shadow contour is the Tornado line
  
• The housings of the side mirrors sport LED turn signals
  
• Both the hood and tailgate are made of aluminum
  
• The signature, wedge-shaped headlights house xenon plus lighting and LED daytime running lights, which are combined with LED taillights, all standard
  
• The available power tailgate opens electrically, including via the remote key fob, and swings up to accommodate the spacious cargo area
  

Interior

The interior of the Audi Q3 is spacious and comfortable for all five passengers. Its elegant, ergonomic design boasts superior build quality. Evidence of the premium character of the Audi Q3 can be seen in every last detail in the interior craftsmanship, in the selection of the materials, in their processing and in the tight, consistent interior gaps.

• The cargo area offers a base luggage capacity of 16.2 cu ft. Folding down the split rear seatbacks increases this capacity to 48.2 cu ft.
  
• Standard LED interior lighting – a technology that bathes the interior in dramatic light
  
• Efficient white light-emitting diodes illuminate the doors, foot wells, vanity mirrors, storage compartments and the air vent thumb wheels. LED light guides even accentuate the cup holders
  
• When equipped with the BOSE Surround Sound system, the frames of the woofer/mid-range speakers in the front doors form elegant rings of white light
  
• The Q3 comes standard with two front airbags, thorax-pelvis side airbags in the backs of the front seats and side curtain head airbags. Safety belt tensioners up front, belt force limiters and the integral Audi head restraint system. Rear side airbags are optional.
  

Powertrain and Performance

The standard 2.0 TFSI four-cylinder engine in the Q3 produces 200hp and 207 lb-ft. of torque.

• Standard six-speed Tiptronic® transmission
  
• Front wheel drive standard, Audi quattro® permanent all-wheel drive available
  
• Optional Audi drive select system - allows drivers to adjust handling and response at the touch of a button. There are three drive select modes: Comfort, Dynamic, and Auto.
  

Chassis and Suspension

The Q3 brings more sportiness to the compact premium SUV class. Its balanced chassis combines agile handling, supreme safety and great road comfort.

• The Q3 model's front suspension is a sophisticated design featuring McPherson struts with forged aluminum lower wishbones. The rear includes a four-link rear axle with a separate spring/shock absorber arrangement to maximize interior cargo space.
  
• Electromechanical power steering with speed-dependent power assist
  
• ESC with offroad mode and hill descent assist
  
• Standard 18-inch wheel with optional 19-inch design available
  

Available Equipment

The Q3 showcases many aspects of Audi expertise found in our full-size luxury vehicles and makes that content and technological prowess available in a premium compact SUV.

• Sport package including front sport seats with adjustable thigh support
  
• Driver Assistance package including Audi side assist and Audi parking system with rearview camera
  
• Audi MMI navigation plus with 7.0-inch color monitor
  
• Power tailgate with a programmable preset opening angle
  
• The Prestige trim package includes extended infotainment and convenience features including Audi connect®
  
• Audi side assist uses radar to help make changing lanes easier
  
• BOSE Surround Sound system. This system features a ten-channel receiver delivering 465 watts of power to 14 speakers
  

Audi connect®

The 2015 Audi Q3 features the award-winning infotainment system, Audi connect®, when the Prestige trim package is ordered.

• Factory-fitted, in-vehicle Wi-Fi connectivity for passenger use, enabling the Audi connect system to deliver connectivity to up to eight wireless devices for passengers.
  
• The on-board Audi MMI navigation plus system is enhanced with Google Earth™ maps for a true aerial view of the route.
  
• Audi connect also features real-time localized weather, news and live fuel prices
  
• Google Voice™ Local Search for detailed information about travel destinations, such as restaurant or hotel hours, pricing and customer reviews
  
• myAudi Destination feature, which allows users to log on to Google Earth from virtually any location in the U.S. and download up to 50 destinations to the vehicle
  
• Audi also offers real-time Sirius XM® Traffic information via enhancements to the Audi MMI Navigation plus system (active Sirius XM® Traffic subscription required).
  

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[G. David Felt]

I like the style and look of this new luxury compact CUV. Hope it does well.

Looking forward to when Cadillac will have their luxury Compact CUV. That my wife will love.

[Drew Dowdell]

I don't know what platform they'll build it on, but Cadillac almost has to build one at this point. Buick is selling every Encore they can build, the market for premium small cuvs is there and Cadillac should go for it at a higher content level (and different platform) than Buick.