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Long overdue upgrades for Audi Q3 | SA Car Fan

While the international fanfare simmers down over the 2015 Audi Q7, on local shores a revamped version of the Audi Q3 has subtly taken place. With 5000 sales in …

Long overdue upgrades for Audi Q3

2015 Audi Q3 with more petrol and diesel options

While the international fanfare simmers down over the 2015 Audi Q7, on local shores a revamped version of the Audi Q3 has subtly taken place. With 5000 sales in South Africa since its launch in 2012, the Audi Q3 has performed well, although a bit conservative for our tastes. Now though there’s more performance, higher levels of equipment and a crisper look.

And to give you an idea of just how dated the Audi Q3 had become, the new model at long last introduces LED lights (as an option) with side indicators incorporated into the main clusters for a smarter front end.

Little has taken place to the chassis – it still shares the same dimensions and weight of 1385kg but the TFSI and TDI engines boast higher power and reduced Co2 by an average of 17 per cent. Not too shabby. The new 1.4 FSI promises great value and economy while churning out an adequate 110kW and 250Nm. Compared to the outgoing 2.0T, the new Audi Q3 makes fewer kilowatts, 132kW (compared to 155kW) but 20Nm more torque at 320Nm . No manual option for this one. The 2.0-litre diesel has been uprated by 5kW to 135kW while torque stays put at 380Nm and until a lower-powered front-wheel drive version arrives in 2016, only comes with Quattro and S tronic.

The range-topping Audi Q3 RS also receives a small upgrade to its 2.5-litre, 5-cylinder turbo. Power rises to 250kW (from 228kW) and torque of 450Nm helps it get to 100km/h from standstill in 4.8 seconds. Gearing on this model is said to be faster while seventh gear has been made longer to reduce fuel consumption. It was terrible before, averaging above 15l/100km.

Personally we would have liked to see more dramatic changes as Audi have once again played a cautious hand with the Q3.

Audi Q3 Pricing and model range.

Audi Q3 1.4T FSI 110 kW manual: R 402,500

Audi Q3 1.4T FSI 110 kW S tronic: R 419,500

Audi Q3 2.0T FSI 132 kW quattro S tronic: R 499,000

Audi Q3 2.0 TDI 135 kW quattro S tronic: R 515,000

Audi RSQ3 2.5T FSI 250 kW quattro S tronic: R 769,500* (August 2015)

* Indicative pricing

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About Andrew Leopold

audi q3, Q3, Q3 FSI, Q3 stronic, Q3 TDI, quattro, rs, RS Q3, suv, tdi, TFSI

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