Audi Q3 on its way in 2011
Manufacturer of the moment Audi has revealed the first details of its latest niche model â the Q3.
Looking like a smaller version of the Q5 â itself the offspring of the mighty Q7 â the Audi Q3 will go up against the forthcoming BMW X1.
Thereâs not a whole lot to say about the Q3, or âAudi Cross Coupe Quattro studyâ, which itâs called at this development stage.
The 2011 Audi Q3 will be much like the 2007 Cross Coupe Concept–”Cross” as in crossover–with near-identical dimensions and quieter styling. Unlike the Q5, where structural elements and some underskin components are mixed-and-matched from several VW/Audi vehicles, the Q3 is basically an upscale version of parent VW’s Tiguan compact SUV.
As for other features, the 2011 Audi Q3 will certainly come with front side airbags and curtain side airbags, plus full power assists. Optional rear side airbags are very likely.
the 2011 Audi Q3 is what it won’t have: serious off-road capability. And why should it? This is, after all, a crossover SUV, which basically means a good old-fashioned station wagon that may look something like a truck and even have all-wheel drive, but is intended mainly as a car-like on-road vehicle. It’s this more user-friendly formula that explains why crossovers way outsell traditional truck-based SUVs, with compact models the most popular of all. Indeed, the top-three sellers in 2007 were the mainstream Ford Escape, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4. Small wonder, then, that Audi is pitching two crossovers into the more-lucrative premium-compact segment.
Expected in 2011, the Q3 is part of Audiâs attempts to become the worldâs dominant car maker as it strives to have in excess of 40 models by 2015. It had just 12 models in 1999.