Looks like the Volkswagen group had a little meeting to figure out its production plans for the next couple of years as Audi has also announced some upcoming production plans. The Q3, a compact SUV loosely based on the Cross Coupe Concept, will be built in Martorell, Spain starting in 2011 Audi announced today.
According to Audi's press release, the Q3 will be, "a coupe-like five-door SUV with seat positions, wheel size, and ground clearance characteristic of a typical SUV. The Q3 will blend a compact car's design and driving dynamics with an SUV's spaciousness and versatility."
So yeah, nothing really new here, just another vehicle to slot into the lineup in an effort to conquer BMW.
bankerdanny says:
10:43 AM, 04/22/09
Yet another "compact SUV" that will offer little "U" and and provides littel discernable benefit over its wagon counterpart.
Other than a somewhat better vantage point to see the road, why would someone buy this vs an A3 which can do 99% of what the Q3 can, with (most likely) better on road performance and economy and a (probably) lower price?
And if you must have a small SUV, why not the VW, which I would bet offers equal performance, probably better utility (squarer shape=more space), and a lower price with only a modest loss in "prestige"?
stingray454 says:
02:00 PM, 04/22/09
Wouldn't it be easier to build an Audi version of the VW Tiguan? Or is that what this is?
6ixspeedstick says:
02:20 PM, 04/22/09
To answer you question, danny the banker, a very legitimate reason to purchase a Q3 over an A3 is ground clearance. While this may seem irrelevant to you, it is vital to many people who annually endure tough winters.
Simply put, there are days you can drive and places you can go in a Q3 that would damage the underbody of the A3.
I've spent thousands repairing winter damage to the underbodies of my cars.
Many people I know in the NYC area need ground clearance just to make it past their driveways or unpaved roads (of which their are many very close to nyc) in bad weather.
Up at Syracuse where the snow falls by the foot, extra GC allows you to drive on more days.
I concede that their are plenty of people who don't need the ground clearance and purchase cars like this simply for the style.
But frankly, this car is EXTREMELY practical and EXTREMELY responsible. To mock it is trendy, but foolish. There's a lot of practicality and capability here in a compact package. It makes total sense to me.
For me personally--despite the weirdo look--if they made the X6 with a manual it would be the perfect all-around car. I've driven that thing it's incredible you can slide it around better than a 135i (i'm not trying to diss the 135i it's one of my favorite cars i've ever driven, but it's definitely not tail-happy).
hondacura4 says:
02:55 PM, 04/22/09
"Wouldn't it be easier to build an Audi version of the VW Tiguan?"
That would be the Audi Q5, the Q3's big brother.
zoomzoomn says:
02:58 PM, 04/22/09
I like Audi's and this car is no exception! It has a great presence. I agree with 6ixspeedstick as to the reason some will buy any CUV over a car. There is a better command of the road (i.e. visibility) with little to no sacrifice in handling. So, where's the drawback?
Hey stingray454, I'd be pretty certain that there is alot of the Tiguan under this new Q3. VW and Audi are definitely kissing cousins! :)
bankerdanny says:
03:28 PM, 04/22/09
6ix,
First, unless you are an Audi dealer, you really need to take my comment far less personally.
Second, I live in Chicago, and while it's not upstate NY to be sure, I am quite familiar with snow. Personally I drive a Forester partially because of the AWD benefits in the winter.
On dry roads an X6 would pull away from my Forester without without even breathing hard. But when there is 6 inches of snow on the ground, the extra 60+ hp and better suspension are pretty much negated.
When the roads are dry, the square shape of my vehicle provides much more efficient interior space than an SUC (Sports Utility Coupe) such as the X6 and Q3 (which is the main reason I bought the my Subie as I wanted a wagon without going the full SUV route).
Even for you, 90% of the time an AWD 530i wagon would give better handling (lower CG) and better cargo capacity than an X6.
Similarly the A3 MOST of the time for MOST people makes far more sense than the Q3. The X6/Q3 are the 'trendy' ideas, not the opinion expressed in my prior comment.
DCuerpoJr says:
05:07 PM, 04/22/09
@stingray454
I think the Audi Q5 and the VW Tiguan share the same chassis but have different engines..at least for the ones offered in the U.S. for now.
I think the Q3 would more likely share the same chassis and engine as the new A3 due out in 2010.
I wonder if the Q3 will be around the same price point as the 2010 A3. It'd be a tough decision as both vehicles look awesome.
kurtamaxxxguy says:
08:09 AM, 04/23/09
As the Q3's not heading for the USA anytime soon, we yanks won't have the option of considering it over the older, Golf-based A3.
There's a lot of confusion about Q5 and Tiguan. VW and Audi folks I visited at Portland Auto show stated the Q5's chassis is from Audi's Modular Longitudinal Platform, used for the A4 Sedan and A5 Coupe. The Tiguan comes from a combination of GTI and Passat platforms.