Audi – the luxury brand for Volkswagen AG had unveiled the Audi Q3 at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show. This model is designed to against the BMW’s X1 as the two luxury-car makers vie to tap demand for SUVs geared to urban areas.
We’re paying heed to a fast-growing segment, Michael Dick, Audi’s development chief, said in an interview at the Shanghai auto show. There’s a strong appetite for mobility in expanding urban centers. The Q3 will be most appealing to that end, especially for female drivers.
This compact SUV will begin selling the Q3 in June at a starting price of Euro 29,900, plans to produce 100,000 Q3s a year, Chief Executive Officer Rupert Stadler said in Shanghai. The Q3 measures 4.39m (14.4 ft) long, 1.83m (6.0 ft) wide, and 1.60m (5.25 ft) tall. The Q3 is 0.24m (0.79 ft) shorter and nearly Euro 7,000 cheaper than the mid-sized Q5. It is basically a crossover that rebadged from Volkswagen Tiguan.
There are 4 engine variants for Q5. The 2.0-liter TSFI produces 168 hp (125 kW / 170 PS) and 208 hp (155 kW / 211 PS), while the 2.0-liter TDI develops 138 hp (103 kW / 140 PS) and 174 hp (130 kW / 177 PS). The Q3 offers optional upgrades such as leather seats, a panoramic glass roof, and a 14-speaker Bose audio system.
Photo Gallery: 2012 Audi A3