The compact premium SUV comes standard with two front airbags, thorax-pelvis side airbags in the backs of the front seats and curtain head airbags. Pyrotechnic belt tensioners up front, belt force limiters, Isofix child seat attachment points in the rear and the integrated Audi head restraint system round out the package. Rear side airbags are available as an option.
The base version of the Audi Q3 boasts a drag coefficient of 0.32 and has a frontal area of 2.44 m2 (26.3 sq ft). The low lift at the axles ensures good stability at high speed. The large spoiler above the rear window extends the roof contour by 32 centimeters (12.6 in). Two aero strips to the left and right of the window form lateral spoiler lips. Many additional body details contribute to the good aerodynamics and aeroacoustics. A plastic underbody liner provides for aerodynamic air flow, and cooling air flows virtually loss-free through the engine compartment.
Highly efficient: the 2.0 TDI
The diesel engines are three versions of the 2.0 TDI clean diesel, which Audi offers with various outputs. It displaces 1,968 cc (bore x stroke 81.0 x 95.5 millimeters (3.2 x 3.8 in) and features minimal internal friction. Among the technologies used are two balance shafts in the crankcase, a thermal management system with separate coolant pumps for the cylinder block and head, a common rail injection system with a max. pressure of 2,000 bar and a turbocharger with adjustable vanes. The cylinder head features a rotated valve star. As a result, the intake and exhaust valves appear to be arranged one behind the other when viewed from the induction pipe connection. Each camshaft thus actuates one intake and one exhaust valve per cylinder.
The 2.0 TDI clean diesel shares two other solutions with the 1.4 TFSI - the separate valve drive module and the intercooler integrated into the intake manifold. A complex emission control system enables compliance with the Euro 6 standard. Nitrogen oxides are reduced in the particulate filter, to which the required SCR coating has been applied (SCR = selective catalytic reduction).
The 1.4 TFSI ultra is joined by a particularly efficient ultra variant of the 2.0 TDI engine. Equipped with a manual transmission and front-wheel drive, it produces 110 kW (150 hp) and 340 Nm (250.8 lb-ft). Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) takes 9.6 seconds, and top speed is 204 km/h (126.8 mph). Fuel consumption is 4.4 liters per 100 kilometers (53.5 US mpg), a CO2 equivalent of 114 grams per kilometer (183.5 g/mi).
The 2.0 TDI clean diesel with 110 kW (150 hp) and 340 Nm (250.8 lb-ft)(between 1,750 and 2,800 rpm) will also be available at launch with a choice of two versions of quattro all-wheel drive: quattro all-wheel drive and manual transmission, and quattro all-wheel drive and seven-speed S tronic. The figures with manual transmission and S tronic, respectively: 9.3/9.3 seconds, 204/204 km/h (126.8 mph), 4.9/5.1 liters per 100 kilometers (48.0/46.1 US mpg) and 129/132 grams CO2 per kilometer (207.6/212.4 g/mi).
The most powerful TDI in the Audi Q3 produces 135 kW (184 hp). Its torque plateau of 380 Nm (280.3 lb-ft) extends from 1,800 to 3,250 rpm. Here, too, Audi offers the three variants front-wheel drive and manual transmission (provisional values), quattro all-wheel drive and manual transmission, and quattro all-wheel drive and seven-speed S tronic. The figures: 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 8.3/7.9/7.9 seconds; top speed 219/219/219 km/h (136.1 mph); NEDC consumption 5.0/5.2/5.1 liters per 100 kilometers (47.0/45.2/46.1 US mpg); CO2 emissions 131/137/134 grams per kilometer (210.8/220.5/215.7 g/mi).
Audi Q3 2.0 TDI clean diesel ultra (110 kW):
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 4.4 (53.5 US mpg)**;
Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 114 (183.5 g/mi)**
Audi Q3 2.0 TDI clean diesel (110 kW):
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 4.8 – 4.6 (49.0 – 51.1 US mpg)**;
Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 126 – 119 (202.8 – 191.5 g/mi)**
Audi Q3 2.0 TDI clean diesel quattro (110 kW):
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 5.4 – 4.9 (43.6 – 48.0 US mpg)**;
Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 140 – 129 (225.3 – 207.6 US mpg)**
Audi Q3 2.0 TDI clean diesel quattro S tronic (110 kW):
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 5.5 – 5.1 (42.8 – 46.1 US mpg)**;
Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 144 – 132 (231.7 – 212.4 g/mi)**
Audi Q3 2.0 TDI clean diesel quattro (135 kW):
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 5.7 – 5.2 (41.3 – 45.2 US mpg)**;
Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 148 – 137 (238.2 – 220.5 g/mi)**
Audi Q3 2.0 TDI clean diesel quattro S tronic (135 kW):
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 5.6 – 5.1 (42.0 – 46.1 US mpg)**;
Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 146 – 134 (235.0 – 215.7 g/mi)**
**The fuel consumption and the CO2 emissions of a vehicle vary due to the choice of wheels and tires. They not only depend on the efficient utilization of the fuel by the vehicle, but are also influenced by driving behavior and other non-technical factors.