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The Q3 isn’t just another SUV from Audi. It has been instrumental in propelling the Ingolstadt, Germanybased company to the top of the Indian luxury car market. The new Q3 celebrates the success

If there is one car that is instrumental in propelling Audi to the top spot in the Indian luxury car segment, it is the Q3. When this compact luxury SUV was first launched in 2012, it not only took BMW’s X1 head on, but also started attracting some of the customers who, until then, only considered cars such as the Passat, the Superb or the Sonata. Among other thing, this Audi SUV opened the brand to newer, younger buyers—its tagline went ‘Start Young’. For over two years, the Q3 continued its unabated run, until last year in September when it ran into the MercedesBenz GLA-Class, which got off to a fairly good start. So as to maintain the lead—not only in the segment but also in the overall luxury car market—on Thursday, Audi India launched the updated Q3. We drive it in Goa. EXTERIOR What stands our are the new LED daytime running lights, which give the new Q3 a premium look—matching most other Audi models. It gets a redesigned headlamp cluster (the headlamps are slimmer) that gets integrated turn signals. The grille is wider and gets a good amount of chrome finish. In fact, the front grille and the bumper are totally new—what especially attracts attention is the extension that connects the grille and the headlamp cluster. From the sides the new Q3 looks more or less the same as the outgoing model, but for the fact that it rides on new 17-inch alloy wheels. At the rear, the tail-lamps and the bumper have been slightly reworked upon. An engaging feature is that the turn indicators ‘swipe’ outwards in the direction of the turn,exactly like the ones in Audi’s high-end cars, the A8 and the R8. Overall, Audi has given the Q3 a lot more premium feel while retaining its SUV character.

INTERIOR

Inside the cabin the changes are subtle but pronounced. While the dashboard layout is the same, the instrument cluster gets a colour screen between the dials that displays crucial information such as phone call data. There is a mobile phone holder with a charger in the front centre ar mrest—Audi says it also gets a booster which uses the car’s antenna to amplify signals, thereby saving your phone’s battery from draining quickly. It gets a rear-view camera with dynamic guidelines that make parking a breeze. The large sunroof lets in a lot of light. The biggest change is that the new Q3 gets paddle-shifters behind the steering-wheel—in case you want to discover the sportiness in you! The car is spacious and four tall adults will feel very comfortable inside the cabin. It gets rear AC vents, too. Overall, Audi has been able to ensure that the cabin feels more upmarket. ON THE ROAD The car gets the same 1968cc TDI diesel engine that produces the same 177 horsepower at 4200 rpm, while the peak torque of 380 Nm is available between 1750-2500 rpm. It goes from 0-100 kmph in 8.2 seconds while its top speed is rated at 212 kmph. The claimed fuel-consumption is 15.73 kmpl. A fuel tank capacity of 64 litres means that you get a range of at least 700 km on a full tank. (The ideal range is 1,006 km.) It gets the Audi Drive Select (Comfort, Sport and Auto modes), using which you can slightly alter the engine, gearbox and steering responses. The steeringmounted paddle-shifters, as we said, can make the drive sporty. In case you don’t want to use the paddle-shifters, the 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic gearbox—which is lightning quick with shifts—won’t make you miss these. On city roads, the Q3 behaves very well and ensures you get to your destination in utmost comfort— the cabin remains silent, until of course you push the engine to its redline. Thanks to Quattro—Audi’s allwheel-drive system—the new Q3 sticks to the road even as it does high threefigure speeds.

When driving the American Q3, Hannah Elliott, the Bloomberg Business columnist, noted that “it handles corners with the grace of a Balanchine dancer, and it’s as polite as a five-star hotel concierge when you brake.” The Indian Q3 is no different.

OFF THE ROAD

At the price, the new Q3 is one of the best cars as far as ride and handling is concer ned—yes, even when you take it off the road. Again, the Quattro ensures you never lose traction even on a muddy terrain. In fact, when we were driving the car in Goa, it rained heavily and we encountered a slushy terrain. True to its character, the Quattro ensured the Q3 easily traversed the short but scary route.

VERDICT

With the new Q3, Audi India has taken its successful for mula further. The new Q3 is priced between R28.99 lakh and R37.5 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). While the price of the base variant has been increased by R1.16 lakh compared to the outgoing model, surprisingly the price of the top variant has been reduced by R1.09 lakh compared to the outgoing model. The tagline of the new Q3 is ‘Start Young, Live Big’. Perhaps aptly celebrating Audi’s success in India.

NEW AUDI Q3