New Q3 brings a third dimension to Audi SUV style

Latest Audi entrant offers all the benefits of SUV ownership in a more compact and ‘city-friendly’ form

• Third Audi Q-series member opens for ordering in June priced from approximately £25,000 – first UK deliveries in November
• Compact body – 4,385mm long, 1,831mm wide, 1,602mm high – encloses deceptively spacious cabin and load bay offering up to 1,365 litres capacity
• Three engines at launch, all directly injected and turbocharged and all optimised by start-stop and energy recuperation systems – 2.0 TFSI 170PS, 2.0 TFSI 211PS, 2.0 TDI 177PS
• New development of S tronic twin-clutch transmission for 2.0 TFSI 211PS and 2.0 TDI 177PS models – clutch is disengaged during coasting phases to reduce draw on engine
• Efficiency-focused 2.0 TDI 140PS front-wheel-drive model with sub-1,500kg kerb weight and 54.3mpg capability to follow shortly after initial launch
• In-car technology will include new generation MMI navigation plus, online Bluetooth car phone enabling access to Google services including Google Earth, WLAN connectivity, Audi drive select with efficiency mode, parallel and perpendicular park assist

A new compact Audi SUV that will be as comfortable within the confines of the city as it will be scaling hills or crossing continents makes its world debut next week at the 2011 Shanghai Motor Show (April 21-28). The Q3 wraps trademark Audi quality, 50-plus mpg efficiency and advanced technology in a rugged SUV body with dimensions that favour urban use, and underpins these with an agile chassis with increased ground clearance and the all-weather reassurance of quattro all-wheel-drive. v

The most diminutive member of the Audi Q-series has been designed to be very much in tune with the times. As a new departure for an Audi SUV, the predominantly quattro-equipped range will also include a front-wheel-drive model that will give absolute priority to efficiency. This 2.0-litre TDI, 140PS version with manual transmission will weigh in at under 1,500kg – a remarkable figure by SUV standards - and will be capable of achieving in excess of 54mpg.

Numerous additional measures contribute to this exemplary efficiency, and apply right across the range. The streamlined body with its lightweight aluminium and high-tech steel content slips easily through the air thanks to an impressively low drag coefficient of 0.32, and low rolling resistance tyres, engine start-stop, energy recuperation and electromechanical power steering systems all feature as standard across the board. The optional Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system also features a fuel-saving efficiency mode, and when this option is specified the further developed S tronic twin clutch transmission can now disengage drive each time the throttle pedal is released to reduce draw on the engine.

Efficient four-cylinder engine range

Three engines will initially be available, all combining direct fuel injection with turbo charging - the 2.0-litre TFSI petrol unit in 170PS and 211PS forms and the 2.0-litre TDI with 177PS. The top ranking 2.0-litre TFSI unit powers the Q3 from rest to 62mph in 6.9 seconds and on to a 143mph top speed. Soon after launch the 140PS 2.0-litre TDI will be offered in the entry level front-drive Q3.

The 2.0 TDI 140PS and 2.0 TFSI 170PS engines will be linked to six-speed manual transmission as standard, while the 2.0 TDI 177PS and 2.0 TFSI 211PS units will feature the acclaimed seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission.

All versions will have the necessary grounding to make unruffled progress over a variety of terrains thanks to their raised 170mm ride height and robust multi-link front and rear suspension. This is bolstered by the sophisticated Electronic Stability Program with electronic differential lock, which effectively regulates torque distribution by braking individual wheels when they start to slip. The predominant configuration will of course be quattro all-wheel-drive, which via a hydraulic multi-plate clutch redistributes power at lightning speed from front to rear axles as needed, instilling exceptional grip and control in all weathers and on the most challenging of roads or the roughest of tracks.

The Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system will be available as an option to enable drivers to tailor the Q3’s driving characteristics even more precisely. The system incorporates comfort, auto, dynamic and efficiency modes which influence the responses of the throttle and steering, and also the optional adaptive light and cruise control systems where these are fitted.

Upgraded S tronic transmission

When the efficiency mode is selected, the electronic climate control and cruise control systems operate at the optimum level for minimal fuel consumption, and in models with S tronic transmission, the active clutch is disengaged each time the driver lifts off the throttle, allowing the Q3 to use the momentum already built up to ‘coast’ without the need for engine input.

The city-friendly size of the distinctive Q3 body encapsulates a deceptively roomy interior with seating for five and an accommodating load bay with a 460-litre capacity, rising to 1,365 litres if the standard split/folding rear seat is stowed. Celebrated Audi precision and attention to detail are as evident as ever in the high quality fittings and the attractive wrap-around dashboard with its clear, intuitive controls.

Two specification levels will be available for UK Q3 models – SE and S line. The SE option builds impressively strong foundations, with 17-inch alloy wheels, contrasting painted bumpers, chrome window trims, aluminium roof rails and rear parking sensors featuring externally, and dual-zone climate control, a Concert audio system with 6.5-inch manually retractable colour display screen, Bluetooth interface, Audi Music Interface iPod connection and light and rain sensors all present inside. The Q3 will also come equipped with navigation preparation, enabling customers to ‘activate’ navigation retrospectively by purchasing an SD card if required.

S line models will upgrade with 18-inch alloy wheels, S line exterior and interior styling enhancements and xenon headlamps with LED daytime running lamps and LED rear tail lights

Numerous high-end options attest to the excellent technological standards of the Q3. They include adaptive light technology for the xenon plus headlights, a high-beam assistant to intelligently illuminate the road ahead, the hard drive-based navigation system plus with seven-inch colour screen and 3D mapping and the side assist blind spot warning and lane assist lane departure warning driver aids.

Among the more practical options is a luggage compartment package, a front-passenger seat with a folding seat back, a reversible loadliner, a reversible mat, a load sill protector made of stainless steel, a load-through hatch in the rear seat backrest and a ski bag.

At a later date, it will become possible to link the MMI navigation plus system with the online Bluetooth car phone, which integrates a UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications Standard) module. This will enable the navigation system to make use of Google Earth images, and will enable the Q3 to double as a WLAN hotspot in which passengers can enjoy unrestricted internet connectivity on the road.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

• Audi R18 e-tron quattro on the two top spots

• Eleventh success in total for Audi at Le Mans 24 Hours

• Audi R18 ultra completes one-two-three win of Audi Sport Team Joest

Ingolstadt/Le Mans, June 17, 2012 - AUDI AG has achieved another technological milestone in motorsport. On the 80th running of the famous Le Mans 24 Hours, a vehicle with hybrid drive - the Audi R18 e-tron quattro - has triumphed for the first time.
 
Around 200,000 spectators witnessed a fascinating race with the drama and incidents that are typical for Le Mans plus an impressive demonstration of "Vorsprung durch Technik." The four Audi R18 cars from Audi Sport Team Joest were the quickest and most reliable vehicles and after 24 hours occupied positions one, two, three and five. 
 
"By achieving this further success at the world’s most important endurance race our engineers demonstrated their high technological expertise in a particularly impressive way," commented Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, who personally watched the race on location. "With the e-tron quattro in combination with ultra lightweight design, we put a completely new technology on the grid and immediately won with it - this cannot be taken for granted by any means, particularly here at Le Mans. This weekend again showed the type of things that can happen in this race and how important perfect preparation is."
 
All four Audi R18 cars had the chance to clinch what amounted to the brand’s eleventh Le Mans victory in total. After 378 laps, last year’s winners Marcel Fässler (CH), André Lotterer (D) and Benoît Tréluyer (F) at the wheel of the Audi R18 e-tron quattro designated as car number "1" were again the front runners. Dindo Capello (I), Tom Kristensen (DK) and Allan McNish (GB) as the runners-up caused the all-wheel drive of the future in which the conventional drive system is intelligently combined with an electrically driven axle to record a one-two result. Audi is already testing this technology in which the drive shaft is replaced by electric cables for use in production vehicles.
 
Le Mans rookie Marco Bonanomi (I), Oliver Jarvis (GB) and Mike Rockenfeller (D) in the best conventionally powered Audi R18 ultra completed the fourth one-two-three victory for Audi at the Le Mans 24 Hours after 2000, 2002 and 2010. Romain Dumas (F), Loïc Duval (F) and Marc Gené (E) at the wheel of the second R18 ultra finished in fifth place. 
 
Operating at the rear of all four Audi R18 cars was the latest evolution of the compact V6 TDI engine with VTG mono turbocharger that was used at Le Mans for the first time in 2011. The new ultra-light transmission with a carbon fibre housing - a novelty in a Le Mans sports car - held up to the Le Mans endurance test covering a distance of 5.151 kilometres in all four vehicles without any problems as well. Like quattro all-wheel drive, ultra-lightweight design is a core competency of the company. 
 
The two Audi R18 e-tron quattro cars embody these two technologies in a particularly extreme form - and they were the protagonists at the 80th edition of the endurance classic right from the beginning. They only had to relinquish the leading position to one of the two Toyota hybrid vehicles once for a few laps on Saturday night. After the early retirements of their fiercest rivals the two R18 e-tron quattro cars fought a thrilling duel for victory throughout the night until noon on Sunday during which the lead changed several times and the two diesel hybrid sports cars were often separated by just a few seconds. 
 
An accident by Allan McNish in the fast Porsche corners less than three hours before the finish caused the preliminary decision. Audi Sport Team Joest managed to repair the heavy damage at the front of the R18 e-tron quattro in record time and to thus save second place. In the early phase, car number "2" had lost nearly a lap after a massive piece of rubber pick-up had gotten stuck in the area of the rear suspension. 
 
The winning car with chassis number R18-208H nicknamed "Electra" was not spared from incidents either. Marcel Fässler touched the track barrier twice on Saturday morning: the first time after spinning at high speed and the second time when he had to evade a GT vehicle that was standing sideways in the Mulsanne corner. Benoît Tréluyer, who was suffering from a severe cold which he had caught on Friday while participating in the drivers’ parade in the rain in the centre of Le Mans, spun once at the entrance to the pit lane. 
 
The third-placed Audi R18 ultra - car number "4" - lost a lap right at the beginning of the race due to a check of the rear suspension. On late Sunday morning a gear got stuck twice which the driver was able to correct each time by switching the ignition on and off. Afterward the R18 was running perfectly again and allowed Marco Bonanomi and Oliver Jarvis to clinch the first podium place at Le Mans together with Mike Rockenfeller, who returned to the podium a year after his serious accident. 
 
Two nearly identical slips caused the Audi R18 ultra #3 in which Loïc Duval set the fastest lap of the race to lose its chance for victory. On Saturday night, Romain Dumas in the first chicane while lapping a GT vehicle hit the dirty part of the track and slid against the track barrier. The same mishap occurred to Marc Gené on Sunday noon. In both cases, Audi Sport Team Joest managed to repair the R18 in an extremely short period of time. In total, though, twelve laps were lost. 
 
"This was a race of the kind you can arguably experience only at Le Mans," said Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich after his four Audi R18 cars had crossed the finish line. "You should never rejoice too early at Le Mans, which was obvious again especially on Sunday noon. The whole world was already talking about a one-two-three-four victory and all of a sudden two of our cars had accidents almost simultaneously. That the squad repeatedly managed to repair the cars so quickly after the slips clearly speaks for Audi Sport Team Joest that can simply be banked on at Le Mans. On the whole, I can only take my hat off to the entire squad of Audi Sport that worked extremely hard for a year to make this triumph possible. It was a very big challenge to develop a hybrid car in such a short time that is quick and able to hold up for 24 hours. The fact that, as in 2001 with the TFSI engine and in 2006 with the TDI, we managed to be successful right on the first run simply proves the level of technological expertise that is available at Audi. This is a great day for Audi Sport, for Audi and for the e-tron quattro."
 
With its eleventh victory at Le Mans, Audi has extended its lead in the World Endurance Championship. Dindo Capello, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish as the runners-up recaptured the lead in the drivers’ world championship.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk