This year Britain is experiencing one of the wettest summers ever. Audi sees that as an opportunity to launch a new 4×4 Quattro version of the Q3 SUV equipped with a new 2.0 liter TDI engine. The Audi Q3 2.0 TDI offers 140PS and 320Nm of torque, which translates into a 0-60mph sprint time of 9.9 seconds, and a top speed of 122 mph.
Granted, the performance is a bit shabby. But then you don’t buy a diesel for its performance. You buy a diesel for its fuel economy, and the Q3 excels in that aspect with an mpg rating of 49.6 on the combined cycle test, equating to CO2 output of 149g/km.
As for the trim levels, the Q3 comes in SE and S line specification. The base model gets 17-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, dual-zone climate control, a Concert audio system with 6.5-inch manually retractable colour display screen, preparation for SD card navigation, Bluetooth interface, Audi Music Interface iPod connection and light and rain sensors. For an extra £2,750 you can get the S Line, which adds 18-inch alloy wheels, S line exterior and interior styling enhancements, xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lamps and LED rear tail lights.
Speaking of the price, the new TDI starts at £26,510. Audi expects this version to become the most popular in the Q3 range.