Two bad winters saw SUVs go from zero to hero. All the signs from auctions and car supermarkets, at this time of year at least, show their used values are the only ones holding firm or going up.
So, hot on the heels of Land Rover’s Range Rover Evoque, Audi’s “me too” Q3 launch could hardly have been better timed.
And it’s not merely the prospect of another bout of bad weather that’s behind this. The chattering classes of suburbia have re-discovered what those of us in the country have known all along - the SUV is a year-round, all-round vehicle with a greater range of ability than anything else on the road … or off it.
So, hot on the heels of Land Rover’s Range Rover Evoque, Audi’s “me too” Q3 launch could hardly have been better timed.
And it’s not merely the prospect of another bout of bad weather that’s behind this. The chattering classes of suburbia have re-discovered what those of us in the country have known all along - the SUV is a year-round, all-round vehicle with a greater range of ability than anything else on the road … or off it.
It’s also grown into a broader motor car range over the last year or so. Apart form the standard 4x4 and luxury machines, compact variants soon appeared and now there’s a distinct sub-compact group.
BMW dipped a toe in the water with the X1 – a lower, more car-like, shortened version of the X3. Much of the range is 4x2 - but at least classic rear wheel drive like other BMWs (so far anyway). This trend to fake (how sad is that) SUVs is fuelled by CO2-based road tax and ‘Benefit in Kind’ company car charges.
Land Rover had to do this with the Freelander recently and the dramatic looking Range Rover Evoque (five-door and coupe-like three-door) has a whole line-up of 4x2s. These are transverse engined and front wheel drive since that is the basic layout of the Freelander and (erstwhile sister-car) Volvo XC60.
According to Audi, the X1 and Evoque are the new Q3’s competitors. But (fellow VW Group vehicle) Volkswagen Tiguan and Freelander itself qualify. In fact, the Q3 resembles the Tiguan more closely than the larger Q5 and Q7. Wheelbase is virtually identical but it’s lower and slightly shorter and wider (but we’re only talking millimetres here).
Like the Tiguan the Q3’s engine is placed transversely across the front axle which it drives. For the 4x4 variants, an additional drive shaft runs to the rear where a compact Haldex clutch unit lies in wait. Once triggered, it starts to build up drive the rear wheels and can go up to 100% RWD in extremis.
The current Haldex IV is more pro-active, however. Sensors indicate any slip or similar behaviour and drive goes to the rear axle instantly. The benefits can felt on-road too – in hard acceleration and cornering, for example, wet weather (snow and ice) or not. Of course, this is an occasional off-roader, or ‘soft-roader’, and (like the Q5 and Q7 in fact) it has no transfer box for high and low ratio gearing.
Despite the lower roofline, it is higher off the ground than an equivalent A3 and its compact size and low weight (bonnet and tailgate are aluminium), makes it quite an agile machine. While not pronounced, front/rear overhangs are fairly car-like making approach and departure angles seem unexceptional.
The Q3 retains a relatively higher driving/seating position than an ordinary car so the SUV ‘visibility’ is still there. Trademark Audi fit and finish (inside and out) is apparent and there are just two models: SE and S line (for a premium of £2,750). SE spec includes: 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors, front centre armrest, aluminium roof rails. S line adds 18-inch alloys, xenon and LED lights, leather/cloth seats, dynamic suspension. Front sports seats with extendable squabs (for the longer-legged) an option - but should be standard.
There is (thankfully) only one FWD entry model for both SE and S line trims – a 2.0 TDI 140 with manual gearbox. The other three come with four wheel drive (Audi calls all its 4x4s “quattro”): 2.0 TDI 177 S tronic (seven-speed dual clutch automatic with a new ‘free-wheel’ mode when coasting; 2.0 TFSI 170 petrol (6 speed manual); 2.0 TFSI 211 S tronic. Shame the higher powered TDI (and only 4x4 diesel) is not available with a manual gearbox.
Generally, chassis dynamics are pretty good (steering, cornering, body control) if not as sharp as the Evoque’s. Ride quality is OK if a bit firm unless the adaptive dampers are ordered (at further extra cost) which have a ‘Comfort’ setting.
Audi claims performance, economy, running costs and (CAP Monitor projected) used values at or around class best – 2.0 TDI 177 SE quattro (£28,460) should see lowest depreciation of all. That too the obvious choice (Audi predicts 50% of all Q3 sales here): 132mph; 0-62mph 8.2 seconds; 47.9mpg (official combined); CO2 156g/km (£165pa); Insurance 21E; Braked Trailer max 2000kg.
All Q3 engines employ direct fuel injection and turbocharging together with stop-start and energy recuperation systems. An efficient all-purpose car with room for four and a reasonable load area but it’s rather clinical and conservative next to an Evoque. It has ‘Germanic’ appeal (despite being built for Audi by sister firm SEAT at its Barcelona plant) and there’s no denying the build quality and finish.
By Huw Thomas
First published in Welsh Farmer, the newspaper of the National Farmers' Union of Wales.
BMW dipped a toe in the water with the X1 – a lower, more car-like, shortened version of the X3. Much of the range is 4x2 - but at least classic rear wheel drive like other BMWs (so far anyway). This trend to fake (how sad is that) SUVs is fuelled by CO2-based road tax and ‘Benefit in Kind’ company car charges.
Land Rover had to do this with the Freelander recently and the dramatic looking Range Rover Evoque (five-door and coupe-like three-door) has a whole line-up of 4x2s. These are transverse engined and front wheel drive since that is the basic layout of the Freelander and (erstwhile sister-car) Volvo XC60.
According to Audi, the X1 and Evoque are the new Q3’s competitors. But (fellow VW Group vehicle) Volkswagen Tiguan and Freelander itself qualify. In fact, the Q3 resembles the Tiguan more closely than the larger Q5 and Q7. Wheelbase is virtually identical but it’s lower and slightly shorter and wider (but we’re only talking millimetres here).
Like the Tiguan the Q3’s engine is placed transversely across the front axle which it drives. For the 4x4 variants, an additional drive shaft runs to the rear where a compact Haldex clutch unit lies in wait. Once triggered, it starts to build up drive the rear wheels and can go up to 100% RWD in extremis.
The current Haldex IV is more pro-active, however. Sensors indicate any slip or similar behaviour and drive goes to the rear axle instantly. The benefits can felt on-road too – in hard acceleration and cornering, for example, wet weather (snow and ice) or not. Of course, this is an occasional off-roader, or ‘soft-roader’, and (like the Q5 and Q7 in fact) it has no transfer box for high and low ratio gearing.
Despite the lower roofline, it is higher off the ground than an equivalent A3 and its compact size and low weight (bonnet and tailgate are aluminium), makes it quite an agile machine. While not pronounced, front/rear overhangs are fairly car-like making approach and departure angles seem unexceptional.
The Q3 retains a relatively higher driving/seating position than an ordinary car so the SUV ‘visibility’ is still there. Trademark Audi fit and finish (inside and out) is apparent and there are just two models: SE and S line (for a premium of £2,750). SE spec includes: 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, rear parking sensors, front centre armrest, aluminium roof rails. S line adds 18-inch alloys, xenon and LED lights, leather/cloth seats, dynamic suspension. Front sports seats with extendable squabs (for the longer-legged) an option - but should be standard.
There is (thankfully) only one FWD entry model for both SE and S line trims – a 2.0 TDI 140 with manual gearbox. The other three come with four wheel drive (Audi calls all its 4x4s “quattro”): 2.0 TDI 177 S tronic (seven-speed dual clutch automatic with a new ‘free-wheel’ mode when coasting; 2.0 TFSI 170 petrol (6 speed manual); 2.0 TFSI 211 S tronic. Shame the higher powered TDI (and only 4x4 diesel) is not available with a manual gearbox.
Generally, chassis dynamics are pretty good (steering, cornering, body control) if not as sharp as the Evoque’s. Ride quality is OK if a bit firm unless the adaptive dampers are ordered (at further extra cost) which have a ‘Comfort’ setting.
Audi claims performance, economy, running costs and (CAP Monitor projected) used values at or around class best – 2.0 TDI 177 SE quattro (£28,460) should see lowest depreciation of all. That too the obvious choice (Audi predicts 50% of all Q3 sales here): 132mph; 0-62mph 8.2 seconds; 47.9mpg (official combined); CO2 156g/km (£165pa); Insurance 21E; Braked Trailer max 2000kg.
All Q3 engines employ direct fuel injection and turbocharging together with stop-start and energy recuperation systems. An efficient all-purpose car with room for four and a reasonable load area but it’s rather clinical and conservative next to an Evoque. It has ‘Germanic’ appeal (despite being built for Audi by sister firm SEAT at its Barcelona plant) and there’s no denying the build quality and finish.
By Huw Thomas
First published in Welsh Farmer, the newspaper of the National Farmers' Union of Wales.
RSS Feed