Audi Q3
Encyclopedia
The Audi Q3 is a five-door compact coupe crossover by Audi
that is expected to debut commercially in 2011. The car will use the Volkswagen Group A5 (PQ35) platform of the Volkswagen Golf Mk5
, the same as the Volkswagen Tiguan
/SEAT Tribu
small SUVs. The Q3 will slot above the proposed Audi Q1
mini crossover. Compared to the mid-luxury compact Q5
and full-size Q7
which are positioned more for family practicality and off-road performance, the Q3 will be aimed as more of a lifestyle/sports automobile. It will be launched in the same model year as the BMW X1
, a similar competitor.
The Q3 will combine a transverse engine
layout with flexible steering and suspension offers. The Q3 will borrow many Golf Mk5
, or possibly Golf Mk6, components, such as a Direct-Shift Gearbox
(DSG) dual clutch transmission
and a 155 kW 2.0 FSI turbo engine featured in the current Golf GTI. The vehicle should also feature a 171 kW 3.0 turbo-diesel V6 & a 210 kW 3.6 FSI V6 for the flagship, the Q3S. While the Q3S should be available in both front-wheel drive
(FWD), and quattro "on-demand" four-wheel drive
variants, there will be no height-adjustable suspension, lockable differentials or low-range gearing, just larger wheels and a sports suspension.
The Q3 was designed due to declining sales of large SUVs, as well as growing demand for crossovers, particularly in Canada and the United States where station wagons are unpopular. The company is targeting niche markets to reach its ambitious sales targets, and the Q3 is part of these plans. The final production name will undergo change from "Q3" to another name due to an agreement with Nissan (through their luxury marque Infiniti
) which places restrictions on Audi's use of the "Q" nameplate. Various Audi concept cars have debuted with the name "Cross Coupe" and this name is a possibility for the production Q3.
(near Barcelona, Spain), a plant founded in 1993 and owned by SEAT
, Volkswagen Group's Spanish subsidiary which in 1998 had been awarded as the "Best Factory of the VW Group in the first quarter". The first cars rolled out of the production lines in June 2011 while the decision to produce the Q3 to this plant shall give Audi the ability to produce around 100,000 units per year, with the cost of moving there for production rising to approximately €300 million.
By choosing the Martorell factory Audi has created 700 new jobs there. Wolfram Thomas, a SEAT Board Member for Production, said that “the Q3 represents the SEAT employees’ excellent preparation and premium-carmaking skills.” Frank Derves of Audi made similar remarks: “The Martorell factory is an extremely productive facility with a highly skilled workforce, and one that meets the exacting quality standards of our brand. The Q3 definitely gets the Audi seal of approval.”
Audi
Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturer, from supermini to crossover SUVs in various body styles and price ranges that are marketed under the Audi brand , positioned as the premium brand within the Volkswagen Group....
that is expected to debut commercially in 2011. The car will use the Volkswagen Group A5 (PQ35) platform of the Volkswagen Golf Mk5
Volkswagen Golf Mk5
The fifth generation Volkswagen Golf Mk5 , built on the Volkswagen Group A5 platform was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in October 2003 and went on sale in Europe one month later. To commemorate this, Wolfsburg was renamed "Golfsburg" for a week. It reached North American markets in June...
, the same as the Volkswagen Tiguan
Volkswagen Tiguan
Volkswagen Tiguan is a compact crossover vehicle initially built by the German automaker Auto 5000, but now built by Volkswagen, based on the PQ35 platform of the Volkswagen Golf. Production started in the winter of 2007 in Wolfsburg, Germany, and started selling shortly after...
/SEAT Tribu
SEAT Tribu
The SEAT Tribu is a compact crossover SUV anticipated to be built by the Spanish automaker SEAT, S.A. .-SEAT Tribu concept car:The first time when the Tribu name was used by SEAT was at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show for a concept car which featured three doors and four bucket seats...
small SUVs. The Q3 will slot above the proposed Audi Q1
Audi Q1
The Audi Q1 is a name commonly used for a proposed mini crossover SUV from the German carmaker Audi. It is expected to be based on the Volkswagen Group PQ24 platform, shared by the Volkswagen Polo, SEAT Ibiza and Škoda Fabia superminis....
mini crossover. Compared to the mid-luxury compact Q5
Audi Q5
The Audi Q5 is a compact crossover SUV which was released by German automaker Audi for the 2009 model year. It is built using the new Audi MLP platform which debuted in the 2007 Audi A5 coupé. The Q5 is the second Audi model in the "Q" range, after the full-size Q7...
and full-size Q7
Audi Q7
The Audi Q7 is a full-size luxury crossover SUV unveiled in September 2005 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Production of the Q7 began in autumn of 2005 in Bratislava, Slovakia. It is the first SUV offering from Audi and went on sale in 2007. Later, Audi's second SUV, the Q5, was unveiled as a 2009...
which are positioned more for family practicality and off-road performance, the Q3 will be aimed as more of a lifestyle/sports automobile. It will be launched in the same model year as the BMW X1
BMW X1
The BMW X1 is a compact luxury crossover manufactured by BMW. It extends the current BMW Sports Activity Series model lineup which includes the BMW X3, BMW X5, and the BMW X6. The X1 is based on the same platform as the BMW 3 Series Touring with xDrive...
, a similar competitor.
The Q3 will combine a transverse engine
Transverse engine
A transverse engine is an engine mounted in a vehicle so that the engine's crankshaft axis is perpendicular to the long axis of the vehicle. Many modern front wheel drive vehicles use this engine mounting configuration...
layout with flexible steering and suspension offers. The Q3 will borrow many Golf Mk5
Volkswagen Golf Mk5
The fifth generation Volkswagen Golf Mk5 , built on the Volkswagen Group A5 platform was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in October 2003 and went on sale in Europe one month later. To commemorate this, Wolfsburg was renamed "Golfsburg" for a week. It reached North American markets in June...
, or possibly Golf Mk6, components, such as a Direct-Shift Gearbox
Direct-Shift Gearbox
The Direct-Shift Gearbox , commonly abbreviated to DSG, is an electronically controlled dual clutch multiple-shaft manual gearbox, in a transaxle design - without a conventional clutch pedal, and with full automatic, or semi-manual control...
(DSG) dual clutch transmission
Dual clutch transmission
A dual clutch transmission, commonly abbreviated to DCT , is a differing type of semi-automatic or automated manual automotive transmission. It utilises two separate clutches for odd and even gear sets...
and a 155 kW 2.0 FSI turbo engine featured in the current Golf GTI. The vehicle should also feature a 171 kW 3.0 turbo-diesel V6 & a 210 kW 3.6 FSI V6 for the flagship, the Q3S. While the Q3S should be available in both front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
(FWD), and quattro "on-demand" four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
variants, there will be no height-adjustable suspension, lockable differentials or low-range gearing, just larger wheels and a sports suspension.
The Q3 was designed due to declining sales of large SUVs, as well as growing demand for crossovers, particularly in Canada and the United States where station wagons are unpopular. The company is targeting niche markets to reach its ambitious sales targets, and the Q3 is part of these plans. The final production name will undergo change from "Q3" to another name due to an agreement with Nissan (through their luxury marque Infiniti
Infiniti
is the luxury division of automaker Nissan. Infiniti officially started selling vehicles on November 8, 1989 in North America. Marketing operations have since grown to include the Middle East, South Korea, Russia, Taiwan, China, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. Infiniti began sales in additional...
) which places restrictions on Audi's use of the "Q" nameplate. Various Audi concept cars have debuted with the name "Cross Coupe" and this name is a possibility for the production Q3.
Engines
| Petrol engines | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Year | Engine type | Power, torque@rpm |
| 2.0 TFSI | 2011- | 1984 cc I4 turbo | 170 PS@4300-6200, 280 N·m (207 ft·lbf)@1700–4200 |
| 2.0 TFSI | 2011- | 1984 cc I4 turbo | 211 PS@5000-6200, 300 N·m (221 ft·lbf)@1800–4900 |
| Diesel engines | |||
| Model | Year | Engine type | Power, torque@rpm |
| 2.0 TDI | 2011- | 1968 cc I4 turbo common rail | 140 PS@4200, 320 N·m (236 ft·lbf)@1750–2500 |
| 2.0 TDI | 2011- | 1968 cc I4 turbo common rail | 177 PS@4200, 380 N·m (280 ft·lbf)@1750–2500 |
Production
Audi is producing the Q3 in MartorellMartorell
Martorell is a town near Barcelona, in Catalonia, Spain, primarily known for its medieval Devil's bridge.It has three railway stations - one on the RENFE line from Manresa to Sant Vicenç de Calders called "Martorell", and three on the FGC line from Barcelona to Manresa called "Martorell-Vila",...
(near Barcelona, Spain), a plant founded in 1993 and owned by SEAT
SEAT
SEAT, S.A. is a Spanish automobile manufacturer founded on May 9, 1950 by the Instituto Nacional de Industria , a state-owned industrial holding company....
, Volkswagen Group's Spanish subsidiary which in 1998 had been awarded as the "Best Factory of the VW Group in the first quarter". The first cars rolled out of the production lines in June 2011 while the decision to produce the Q3 to this plant shall give Audi the ability to produce around 100,000 units per year, with the cost of moving there for production rising to approximately €300 million.
By choosing the Martorell factory Audi has created 700 new jobs there. Wolfram Thomas, a SEAT Board Member for Production, said that “the Q3 represents the SEAT employees’ excellent preparation and premium-carmaking skills.” Frank Derves of Audi made similar remarks: “The Martorell factory is an extremely productive facility with a highly skilled workforce, and one that meets the exacting quality standards of our brand. The Q3 definitely gets the Audi seal of approval.”