Tech and engine improvements for new Audi Q3 and RS Q3
The 2015 Audi Q3 gets new engines & technology, and there's more power for the hot RS Q3
The Audi Q3 has been brought up to date with a raft of changes for 2015. On sale in January next year, the German brand's BMW X1 rival will get upgraded engines, new technology and better efficiency.
Deliveries begin in spring 2015, and prices will start at £25,340 for the new 1.4 TFSI petrol in SE trim, rising to £30,820 for the top-spec model.
The hot RS Q3 also receives a series of engine updates for more power, as well as a few chassis tweaks to improve overall performance.
Audi Q3 facelift
The Q3 will soon be available with the 1.4-litre TFSI petrol engine from the A1 and A3 hatchbacks, which features cylinder deactivation technology for improved efficiency.
This new entry-level model is front-wheel drive only. The 148bhp 1.4 TFSI takes the car from 0-62mph in 8.9 seconds with the six-speed S-Tronic twin-clutch automatic gearbox - fractionally faster than the six-speed manual.
It manages 50.4mpg and emits 128g/km of CO2 with the manual gearbox, while the S-Tronic 'box returns 47.9mpg and 136g/km of CO2.
The existing 2.0-litre TFSI petrol gets an 8bhp increase to 178bhp as part of the facelift, as does the 2.0-litre diesel, which is now available in 148bhp and 181bhp forms. The lower-powered diesel gets a 7mpg boost, up to 61.4mpg, and shaves 18g/km off its CO2 emissions, now at 119g/km.
Audi's Drive Select adaptive dynamics system is now standard across the range, whilst adaptive dampers are optional.
Exterior updates are mild, but include a new grille, revised bumpers and new alloy wheel designs. Revised headlights now get xenon bulbs as standard, as well as LED daytime running lights and reworked LED rear lights. S-Line spec models get full LED headlights.
Inside, SE-spec Q3s now get new sports seats and a new steering wheel. S-Line spec adds a powered tailgate as standard, and sports suspension is now a no-cost option.
S-Line plus models now get larger 19-inch alloy wheels, tinted windows and metallic paint, and inside there is now a new sat-nav system, perforated leather, cruise control, and a parking guidance system.
Audi RS Q3 2015
The scorching Audi RS Q3 performance SUV gets a range of tweaks to make it faster and better to drive. In particular, the 2.5-litre five-cylinder petrol engine gets a 29bhp increase, up to 335bhp.
This takes it from 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds, a 0.4-second improvement. It is also now fully compliant with the EU6 emissions standard. The seven-speed S-Tronic transmission has also been refined for quicker changes. The front brakes are also lighter, gripped by eight-piston callipers.
Prices for the RS Q3 have not been announced yet.
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