New Audi Q3 arrives in Oz
Audi’s little SUV has grown up with a larger footprint, more practical interior and a big step up in techAustralian Audi dealers will finally receive their first allotment of the second-generation Audi Q3 small SUV in November -- in both entry-level 35 TFSI and 35 TFSI Launch Edition forms, with 45 TFSI quattro and piping-hot RS Q3 versions to follow next year.
The new Audi Q3 can’t come soon enough for the German brand in Australia, where dealers started to run out of stock of the outgoing model in January. The new Q3 was delayed because of the new WLTP procedures that inevitably bumped Australian homologation back in the queue.
What was once the baby of the Audi SUV range, the Q3 is now almost the size of the original Audi Q5 of 2008. It has increased in length by 96mm to 4484mm, while wheelbase is up 77mm to 2680mm and, at 1849mm, it’s 18mm wider too. The only key measurement to come down is overall height; it’s just 5mm lower at 1585mm.
The boot is 70 litres larger at 530 litres, which can be increased with the rear seat moved forward on its 15cm-long sliding base to 675 litres. With the 40/20/40-split rear seat folded, luggage capacity increases to 1525 litres.
The boot has a two-level floor position; when set at the upper level the parcel shelf can be tucked under it.
The Audi Q3 35 TFSI runs a 1.4-litre turbo four-cylinder engine that develops 110kW of power over 5000-6000rpm and 250Nm of torque over 1500-3500rpm and delivers torque to the front wheels only through a six-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission.
No diesel will be offered in Oz; at less than 10 per cent of sales for the last Q3, Audi Australia doesn’t think it’s justified.
Average fuel consumption for the 35 TFSI is quoted at 7.2L/100km, while CO2 output is 164g/km.
While it’s not likely to be the go-to towing hauler, the Q3 35 TFSI has a maximum towing capacity of 750kg unbraked (2000kg braked, on gradients up to eight per cent; 1800kg on gradients up to 12 per cent) and a towball download limit of 90kg. If roof luggage boxes or rooftop tents are your thing, the Q3’s maximum roof load is 75kg.
The Q3 has had an increase in safety tech features, the 35 TFSI coming standard with Audi pre-sense front with autonomous emergency braking -- providing collision mitigation from 5 to 85km/h (pedestrians and cyclists) and up to 250km/h (vehicles), lane departure and lane change warning, rear cross traffic assist, tyre pressure indicator, front/rear parking sensors and reversing camera. Audi says the Q3 will be accorded a five-star ANCAP safety rating.
Arguably the most significant technology improvement for the second-generation Q3 is its infotainment system. Not only does it now have the familiar MMI navigation plus (with 10.1-inch touch-screen and Audi virtual cockpit with 10.25-inch screen) and Android Auto, Apple Carplay, wireless phone charging and DAB+ digital radio), it also gets Audi’s new Audi Connect plus navigation and infotainment services.
The Q3 offers most of the Audi Connect plus features that will debut in full form in the upcoming A6.
For example, the embedded SIM card permits wifi hotspotting that allows up to eight devices to surf, stream and email (while stationary) while radio reception can transition from AM, FM or DAB when radio signal is lost to the equivalent online radio station. Any web radio station from around the world or music genres can also be selected.
The wireless charging tray can accommodate large phones such as an iPhone 11 pro max. While wireless Apple CarPlay can be activated for iPhones, this facility isn’t available for Android Auto.
The Q3’s navigation system is embedded with Google Earth overlay, as has been the case with Audi Connect for the last five years, but with Connect plus it can be updated online automatically and provides live traffic and parking information, and destination entry via the my Audi smartphone app or Google Maps.
Weather forecasts and parking station information (in the case where the parking station supplies information on how many parking spots remain) are also integral to the system.
The only Connect plus component the Q3 doesn’t get is Security and Assistance in which, for example, the car makes an automatic call to an emergency call centre provider upon airbag deployment. If the sensors register a more minor bingle the screen will pop up with the option to call for assistance.
The SIM card’s data is free for the first three years; Audi is yet to release pricing for in-car online access after that period.
There are also adaptive LED headlights with dynamic rear indicators, plus hill descent control and hill-hold, two-zone climate control, electric rear tailgate with gesture control, leather seat trim, keyless entry/start and two USB outlets both front and rear.
While the Audi Q3 35 TFSI is shod with 18-inch alloy wheels running 235/55R18 tyres, the spare is a steel space-saver on a 145/85R18 tyre.
At $52,750 plus on-road costs -- $6350 more than the 35 TFSI -- the Launch Edition’s additional equipment runs to colour-coded lower body sides, 20-spoke 19-inch alloys on 235/50R19 tyres, black styling package (grille surround and bumper inserts painted gloss black instead of satin silver), privacy glass, electric folding and heated exterior mirrors, 360-degree cameras, adaptive cruise control with emergency assist, powered and heated front seats, auto-dimming interior mirror and colour ambient interior lighting.
Unlike the usual exhaustive options list most premium vehicles have, Audi has kept it relatively simple for Q3: there are two main option packs for the 35 TFSI (not available on Launch Edition, as it is equipped with most of it): the $2600 Comfort package and the $1900 style package.
The Comfort package consists of power-adjustable and heated front seats with electric lumbar support, heated/folding side mirrors with kerb-side function on the left side, auto-dimming interior mirror and adaptive cruise with emergency assist.
The Style package includes 19-inch alloys (two designs are available), body-colour lower paint in place of grey-painted trim and aluminium silver inlays in the cabin.
Metallic paint is a $1250 option on the 35 TFSI and comes at no cost on the Launch Edition, while both models can be fitted with a panoramic sunroof for $2250 extra.
There are also a handful of stand-alone options available, such as electronically controlled dampers (on the Launch Edition only) for $2000.
A 680-Watt, 15-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system is also available in the Launch Edition for $900.
Service plans are available for three years for $1610 and five years for $2590. The new Q3 also gets Audi’s three-year/unlimited km warranty, three-year paint warranty and 12-year corrosion warranty.
How much does the 2020 Audi Q3 35 TFSI S-tronic cost?
35 TFSI S-tronic -- $46,400
35 TFSI S-tronic Launch Edition -- $52,750
Read the 2020 Audi Q3 Review
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