Oh Hi: 2012 Audi Q3

Say hello to the newest member of the Audi family, the Volkswagen Tiguan  Audi Q3.

The Q3 was officially revealed at the Shanghai Auto Show and yes, it will be coming to Canada. Even though it’s heavily based on the Tiguan, there are still familiar Audi cues such as signature LED running lamps, a gaping grille and a more swoopy body. In fact,  Audi is claiming the this bodystyle gets a pretty impressive low drag coefficient of just 0.32.

Unfortunately swoopy shapely bodystyles usually mean some sort of compromise for interior space and the Q3 is no exception. It actually has less cargo room than the Tiguan does and even the Tiguan isn’t winning any awards for cargo room as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 offer about 25% more storage room. The Tiguan makes due with 18.6 cubic feet of storage space with the seats up and 56.1 with the seats down. The Q3 gets a tighter 16.2 cubic feet of storage space with the seats up and 48.2 with the seats down.

There will be three engines offered, two gas and one diesel. The engines are expected to range between 140 and 211 horsepower. The more powerful engines will get Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system as standard mated to a 7-speed automatic.

Initially, the Q3 will be available pretty much fully loaded only at launch with cheaper models coming down the road. The Q3 is meant to take on BMW’s X1. Which would you rather?

For more pics, click here.

[Autoblog]

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7 Responses to "Oh Hi: 2012 Audi Q3"

  1. Hi Car Driven! I have to say, although your photos are awesome, I’m excited to see the new Audi Q3 in life. Do you know when the release date is?

    Also, I would like to feature “Oh Hi: 2012 Audi Q3” on our Automotive community platform, Bumper Talk. http://www.atomicreach.com/microsite/bumpertalk. Would you be interested?

    Please feel free to email me a response at annettewong@atomicreach.com.

    Keep up the good work!

    Cheers,
    Annette

  2. Why does Audi need this in their lineup? I would take an A3 or an A4 Avant over this any day. Better yet, I’d probably just take the Tiguan since it seems to be more useful.

  3. Great information. I was going to consider a Q3 but that cargo is not enough for my family. Might just go with an X1 unless the Q3 is much cheaper.

    • Thanks for commenting Kirby. The Q3 has the X1 beat in the looks department for sure. I’m working on getting an X1 review posted so watch out for that.

  4. So..does anyone knows the release date? I’m going to get a new four wheel. May be getting Tiguan. But if Q3 is not that much expensive, I might consider for a test drive. However, the cargo size is under the consideration factor.
    Also I don’t get it why the cargo cover not a retactable one for Q3. Looks ‘old fashion’ with a detactable cover.
    And interested to know if they have 12V outlet plug in the trunk.

    • Hi Wendy,

      Not aware of any specific release date yet, but it should be out in the first quarter of 2012. It seems as though cargo room is not going the be the Q3’s forte, but we will have to wait for specific specs. I’ll be posting once info becomes available.

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