Q3 / RS Q3 2012 Audi Q3 first spy shots

[donkeykong]

2012 Audi Q3 first spy shots

By Brett Davis | December 7th, 2010
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Audi has been sneaky with its new baby off-roader plans, but our spy photographer has just caught one of the first test mules out during a winter road test. Although there is plenty of camouflaging, the images show what sort of proportions the new car will offer.

The car is based on the Volkswagen Tiguan but like most Audi/Volkswagen combinations, the new Q3 will feature its own distinct details including a large Audi front grille and fascia, new exterior lights as well as some body panels and a more upmarket ‘Audi’ interior.

Reports say the Audi Q3 will be available with a range of small turbocharged petrol and diesel engine options similar, and in some cases exactly the same as, those offered in the Tiguan. The Audi will be more luxurious than the Tiguan, offering more interior comforts as standard.

Contrary to initial thoughts, the Audi Q3 may seem the smallest SUV under the Q5, but apparently Audi is working on an even smaller Audi Q1 to slot in as the smallest off-road vehicle the company offers.
The 2012 Audi Q3 is expected to go on sale some time in late 2011. We’ll be sure to bring more details of the Audi Q3, and the Q1, as soon as more details become available.

 

[Merc1]

Looks real cute.

M

 

[footie]

It will do exactly what is said on the tin and that is give Audi the opportunity to sell more cars. I don't think anyone is under the illusions that this car will be as good as the X1 in driving dynamics * but as a practical, fun to drive (up to a point) and that's a well packaged small SUV it will appeal to it's target audience and with Audi flair for style and cabin design it could well top the sector.

A welcome addition to the stable.


* Or is that opinion a bit peramature because though this will indeed be built on the Tiguan it could include the latest Haldex which actually isn't at all bad with it's electronic diffs and the ability to shift power almost anywhere.

 

[SKY]

Proportions look a lot like th eones of the MINI Countryman.

It will be produced in Spain.

 

[footie]

Proportions look a lot like th eones of the MINI Countryman.

It will be produced in Spain.

Off topic but I saw one of those the other day on the motorway, I'd just passed a normal Mini about three cars back and when I reached the Countryman I was truly shocked by the difference in size.

Still dislike it as much as I do the Clubman though, for me the only pretty one is the standard Mini.

 

[bombardier01]

New Spyshots!

 

[Kowalski]

Honey, I shrunk the Q5!

 

[braaf]

More like "Honey I blew up the A1"

 

[Beemer B773ER]

Hahaha...you guys are hilarious!

Looks like this car's gonna be quite aggressive all-round. The A1-esque upturned headlights, very sharp creases converging at the top of the headlights, exaggerated flame surfacing along the bottom of the doors, and the frown-like shape of the rear lights with the Spiderman graphics for the brake lights.

Very Grrrrr..umpy looking!

 

[footie]

I think it will look like a mini Q5, though difference in size I doubt will be that great. Will be interesting to see if they can give it the same 'car like' driving experience of the Q5.

 

[Dave1984]

The proportions (side view) are just awful!

 

[footie]

The proportions (side view) are just awful!

It does appear ackward but the camo might be to blame.

 

[SCOTT27]

It's the production version of the Shanghai 2007 CONCEPT Cross Coupe.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

2007 CONCEPT Cross Coupe

 

[Moses7]

2012 Audi Q3 Spotted In Snowy Sweden

 

[footie]

The only thing I have against these types of SUVs is the impracticality of their boots, this Q3, X6 and probably X4 all have the width and depth of a proper boot but are seriously restricted regarding the height. No doubt it will sell by the bucket load as is the case with the X6 but I don't buy into this type of niche product.

 

[donkeykong]

Audi Q3 to Debut at AutoShanghai 2011 in April

Ask around in the circles of the auto industry that project future growth and it seems pretty near unanimous that the next big thing in automotive niches will be the small SUV. If that's true then it's timely as countless number of spy photos have shown the Audi Q3 to be quite close to production. Even better for Audi, sources close to Fourtitude have confirmed the small Audi crossover, loosely based on the Audi CrossCoupe quattro Concept, will debut at AutoShanghai (a.k.a. the Shanghai Motor Show) this coming April.

The Cross Coupe itself debuted in Shanghai back in 2007 and the high-growth Chinese market has shown itself to have a voracious appetite for crossovers so this would make a fair bit of sense.

So What Do We Know about the Audi Q3?
The Audi Q3 will be the smallest of the Audi crossover market, be based on transverse chassis architecture and will added to the production line of a SEAT factory in Martorell Spain. Why Spain? Cost is likely a big factor though other Audi sources point out the company's number of production points are pretty much tapped with demand for current models.

We've heard this first-generation Q3 won't be based on the upcoming MQB modular transverse architecture in the most religious sense but the changeover to MQB is not a clearly defined one and as such even this needs to be said with an asterisk.

We're guessing here but our assumption is that, like the new Volkswagen Jetta and Passat models coming from the Volkswagen Group's Puebla Mexico and Chattanooga, TN plants there are some new "MQB" components in the formula but likely this mixed approach keeps the car in line with costs, in line with its start of production schedule (i.e. A3 will likely be first "all" MQB car to be produced) and also likely will keep it compatible with SEAT's Martorell facility's lines. Might it also be compatible with Chattanooga too? This remains to be seen.

In any event, press days for AutoShanghai are April 19-20 so expect the Q3 to debut on the 19th with more details coming in around that time.​

 

[Shining Star]

 

[Deleted member 25]

I hate so much those gigantic reflective lights on the back.

 

[Shining Star]