Bucket Seat: The new Audi Q3

Yesterday I attended the launch of the 3rd generation Audi Q3, this mid-sized SUV has been a market favourite for many over the years and I was looking forward to seeing what the latest iteration of it had to offer. The launch taking place at the picturesque Cavalli Estate in Stellenbosch, set the scene of what we could expect in the new Q3. Previous generations offered a fun and funky feel to the SUV but with the 3rd generation it looks and feels more mature with bolder lines, larger body and modern design. The car is an important one for the brand as it ushers in the latest form of their SUV design language that we have already seen it translated into the designs of the new Q5 and Q7 which were showcased internationally. 

The Q3 launches in two variants, the SUV and the Sportback, both designs are similar with the Sportback having a more sleeker and sloped roof line to mimic a coupe styling. The entire design has been revamped, the front see's a new take on the famous Audi Matrix LED lighting with the day time running LED's having their own cluster and the headlights being house below them. The LED design has been enhanced and now has a projection feature on that gives you signs on the road if you are veering off the lane, warns you of snow and icy conditions and lights up the lane next to you when the indicator is activated. The profile of the car looks more bulky than the previous model with the wheel arches gaining some width to enhance that SUV look. The SUV has has two clear and distinct lines which flow from the bonnet and headlamps respectively which the Sportback has just one because of the sloped roof line. The rear end looks sublime and probably my favourite view of the Q3 with that split light design coming in again and a solid LED bar that runs across the rear. The indicator is integrated into this. With the Matrix LED system you also get an illuminated Audi logo on the rear which looks really cool. 

The interior of the Q3 looks amazing and very similar to that of the A5 we had on test last year. The curved type dash which houses the virtual cockpit and the large infotainment unit. They have done away with the gear shift and like many other manufacturers put this as a stalk behind the steering wheel on the left side, thus leaving more room for storage in the center console. The wireless charging tray has been made bigger thanks to this. The interior lighting has some cool enhancements too, with lighting now available on the door panels and they all integrate with the cars lighting, so for example if you put the hazard lights on, they will animate on the inside as well. The infotainment user interface is really simple to use and phone connectivity made really simple with wireless mobile phone app integration for Car Play and Android Auto. The materials and textures can be suited to your taste, having only driven the S Line trims with both leather and cloth options, both were equally great and comfy, my only gripe is that on the base model you still getting manual seat adjusters. 

On the road, both the petrol and diesel offer great power to the car, the diesel obviously feeling a bit more eager thanks to the torque levels. The car feels solid and capable on the open road with the car being able to speed up smoothly as it shifts through the 7 gears on the S tronic automatic gearbox. The large wheels also make a big difference, combined with the new suspension with dual valve chambers for those pesky potholes makes the ride ultra smooth. The turbo petrol engine delivers 110kW and 250Nm of torque with the turbo diesel producing 110kW with 360Nm of torque. There are planning on introducing a 142kW version of the diesel engine later on. Talks of a performance model were played down as Audi SA are stil unsure but we might see a SQ3 model instead of the RSQ3.

Pricing for the new Q3 is as follows:

All models are sold with a standard 5-year/100,000 km Audi Freeway Plan.

Bucket Seat: Audi Q7 & Q8 Launch

This week I spent some time with Audi South Africa getting to know their updated Q7 and Q8 line-up, while some brands have a life-cycle update just once before changing the shape, Audi work a bit differently, having multiple, many might see this as a cheap cop-out from changing the design but others might see this as an improvement of something that already works. I'll admit, I always love seeing new designs but the changes that Audi bring to the party in most of their updates do get me excited and as I found out at the launch this week, the Q7 and Q8 line-up now comes with some really cool stuff that warrants excitement over. 

The Q7 was the first SUV to be launched by the brand, while they did offer all-road crossover vehicles, there was a need for them to compete in the segment with something of their own. The first generation did rather well and with Audi's Quattro technology which was adapted from their cars, it was an almost no brainer that it would pair nicely in something larger. As the generations moved on for the Q7, so did the evolution of the SUV segment, with the introduction of smaller to medium variants but the Q7 always remained the benchmark with advancements on it being passed down to the rest of the SUV line-up. 

Attending the launch helped me get a better insight into what Audi have done and to experience it for myself. The line-up has changed a bit with the Q7 offered in only a petrol engine but the Q8 having both a diesel and petrol option, moving over to the sporty  SQ7 and SQ8, they both share the same 4.0L V8 turbo petrol engine and the range topping RS Q8 has that throaty 4.0L V8 as well but has been tuned to the max. All engines come with mild hybrid technology to help with the fuel economy and the V8's when cruising around town will automatically switch off 4 cylinders when it feels it doesn't need all 8 to work. The cars apart from the RS version are available in two trims, that being Platinum and Black Edition with a range of new colours and textures to personalize your car, to your taste. There are some pricey exclusive options like certain paints which can go up-to R140,000! 

The tech in the car continues to amaze me, starting off with the matrix LED headlights which now allows you to customise the daytime running lights, which you can choose from 5-different options. They even added a cool light show as a party trick to make the car even cooler but also demonstrate the technology. Audi's MMI interface has gotten some slight tweaks to make things easy, and has the option to add favourite destinations for your GPS. Bang & Olefson 3D Premium sound is standard on both trim lines. The are some other cool party tricks with these cars, like the Remote park assist plus, which is done via the Audi mobile app, which allows the driver to park a car in a tight parking spot without being in the car. Simply scan the parking area for a suitable spot, hop off, stand in close proximity to the car and it will park itself, this feature also allows the car to come out of the said parking spot itself. 

Having listened to what is new, it was time to get behind the wheel, first up was the range topping RS Q8, which currently holds the record for the fastest SUV to go around the Nurburgring in its class. That is a massive achievement and it has Audi's most powerful combustion engine made to date to thank for that. The 4.0L TFSI V8 produces 471kW and 850Nm of torque, just mind blowing numbers and all of that is in this SUV. 0-100km/h takes just 3.6 seconds, and this was tested quite a few times as we did launch the car multiple times on our test drive. It was just too much fun. While the car is big and heavy, what I appreciated was the agile nature of the steering, this is thanks to the rear wheel steering which cuts down the turning circle by 1 meter. The large tyre adorned by those standard 23" rims clung onto the tar as I navigated my way down Franschhoek pass with the valley waking up to the sounds of that roaring V8, it's like a symphony to any petrol head but I think what caught most of the onlookers by surprise, is that they heard it first and then when they saw it, they didn't expect it to be an SUV hurtling down the pass. 

After stepping out of the RS Q8 driver seat, which was not easy, but I needed to eat dinner any make small talk with the rest of the people before getting some shut eye for the next day. Having experienced the full power of that V8, it was time to sample a toned down version of it in the SQ7. The more family orientated SUV now comes standard with 7-seats which fold down flat to give you a big luggage hold. The new grill in the black edition really gives this car a menacing look, and will intimidate anyone during a school run. The growl of the V8 sounded more aggressive in this one that the RS Q8 for some reason and even with the launch control, it was a lot more violent but in a good way. It certainly isn't an ordinary soccer moms van, that is for sure! While cruising on the freeway, I could feel the mild-hybrid tech in action as well as the car switching off those extra cylinders and when the need arised, livening them up again to propel us into warp speed. 

Overall, what I've seen from Audi during these two days has been extremely impressive and looking forward to getting some on slightly longer testing to see how they cope with the day-to-day activities. 

Pricing for the range is as follows:

Audi Q7 and SQ7:

• Q7 55 (3.0L Petrol) TSFI Quattro Platinum Edition - R1,958,000
• Q7 55 (3.0L Petrol) TFSI Quattro Black Edition - R1,987,900
• SQ7 55 (4.0L Petrol) TSFI Quattro - R2,540,500
• SQ7 55 (4.0L Petrol) TFSI Quattro Black Edition - R2,574,500

Audi Q8 and SQ8:

• Q8 45 TDI Platinum Edition - R1,968,700
• Q8 45 TDI Black Edition - R2,011,700
• Q8 55 TFSI Platinum Edition - R2,015,400
• Q8 55 TFSI Black Edition - R2,058,400
• SQ8 TFSI Quattro - R2,640,500
• SQ8 TFSI Black Edition - R2,675,500

Audi RS Q8 Performance R3,266,100

Bucket Seat: Audi Q2 35 TFSI

Audi launched their subcompact SUV the Q2 back in 2016 with the model reaching our shores around a year later, this was a car was an oddball in the greater scheme of things as it didn't really have any straight up competition from its counterparts, so it made it unique in a way. It was cheaper than the Q3, but still preserved that Audi look and feel to it. Fast forward to the latest version of the Q2 and from what we are told is the last version of it as they are stopping production, not much has changed, while it still preserves the Audi look and feel but I really mean when I say not much has changed, the car looks the same now as it did back in 2016 and I don't really know what is Audi's deal with this one. Yes I know they are discontinuing the model but can adding a few cosmetic changes, slight upgrades to engines and minor tweaks to the tech really entice people to spend that much money on a car that essentially still is from 2016? I spent some time with the car to find out. 

DESIGN

I'm battling to find words to describe the look of this car from the previous models that I've had before, I should really just copy and past what I wrote then, now because there really is nothing much to speak about. Okay, I am being a bit cynical because they have refreshed the design by enhancing key elements by putting bigger broader borders for example around the grille which is a key focal point of the car, giving it a more three dimensional look, the air-intakes on the bottom part of the bumper have been enlarged and its shape is more pronounced, the details continue with a brushed aluminium skid plate underneath the grille. The front is further enhanced by the introduction of new LED matrix headlights which for me is the stand out feature of the car. The back follows the same trend with the accents and lighting and this particular model came with a panoramic sunroof which I quite enjoyed but also added to the looks when opened in the tilt position. The C-Pillar is key design characteristic of the Q2 is coloured differently to the main body paint which helps it stand out more. Like I said, it still is a good design but I just wished they did a bit more. 

PERFORMANCE

The main differentiater between this car and the one that came out in 2016 is the engine, I had the 35 TFSI on test and for those who are not familiar with Audi's naming convention, it basically means this is a 1.4 L Turbo-Petrol engine and let me tell you something, this is the key reason I'm not slating Audi in this review because this engine coupled with that 7-speed tiptronic gearbox was magic. For a car like the Q2, you're not expecting mad performance figures but something that would do well for Urban driving and the occasional long distance trip and for that, this engine was perfect. With just the right amount of power and torque that made driving a pleasure. The engine produces 110kw and 250Nm of torque which for Urban cruising is more than adequate, I did take it on a long distance stint and the beauty of its fuel economy shone through then. Audi didn't give this one the mild-hybrid treatment like the rest of their stable but this engine doesn't need it with a claimed fuel consumption of 6.1-litres to the 100km, and a 50L fuel tank, Audi claim you could get up to 820km from a tank, I think that is a bit of stretch but I think it could easily get to 700km with no hassle. 

COMFORT

This is where my biggest gripe with the Q2 comes in, the interior is a complete let down for me, there is nothing different to me about it, yes they have enabled mobile car apps but it is only accessible via a USB cable. The UI is still that same junk from 2016 with slight enhancements to the graphics, the infotainment screen resolution is crap and really shows when using Apple Car Play. The general layout of the interior is out dated quite frankly a slap in the face for anyone walking into a showroom, looking at the new Audi models interiors and then seeing this. The least I feel they could have done was incorporate the Audi connect screen that comes in the Audi A4 and Q5 models. That aside, the choice of materials and textures used in the cabin is of great quality, the seats are super comfortable, for this price tag I do wish they came with electric seats though, they were heated and I did make use of this as it still was chilly in Durban that time so that was a nice plus. The rear passengers enjoy decent leg room and head room, even though this car is a compact one. The boot space is nothing to write home about but can store your groceries with ease, just not a golf bag, which you would have to drop the seats for. 

VERDICT

I didn't hate my time with the Audi Q2, because it still is a well made car, which is super fun to drive and extremely comfortable for its size but that price tag is what bothers me, for what you getting I think they could have given you a bit more. Maybe throw in a surround camera view, bigger screen, electric seats and a bit more cosmetic changes to the outside. The winning feature for me as mentioned were the matrix LED headlights and the panoramic sunroof deserves a mention but with a starting price of R744,980, it will have many considering other options for that price range.  

 SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	1.4L T
Gear Box	7-speed TipTronic
Torque	250Nm
Power	110kW
Fuel Consumption	6.1L per 100km
Price	R744,980

Bucket Seat: Audi A3 35 TFSI

Audi's A3 has always been an important model in its line-up for the brand, it's one of the most preferred medium sized premium car in its class. Offered in both a sportback and sedan, both variants seem to do fairly well in the local market and its really difficult to say which one outsells the other. The latest generation in the A3 was launched in Q3 of last year and I had the chance to sample the S3 which I reviewed in October 2021, which really did whet ones appetite as to what we can expect from the much anticipated Audi RS3 but while these performance versions of the A3 are the ones that draw all the attention and limelight, with the ongoing increase in fuel prices, it's models like the one I'm reviewing today that might start to be appealing to many. Also what is interesting to note, that VW have opted not to bring their full engine line-up for the new Golf 8 and are sticking to just the GTI and R might see prospective buyers cast their eyes onto Audi for models like the 35 and 40 TFSI's. 

DESIGN

The design of the new generation A3 is superb, its bold and striking with the new grille being the focal point of the car and the edgy headlamps with its matrix LED system that adds the aesthetics to capture the eyes of people as it cruises past. This particular model in Turbo Blue and the S Line kit exudes sportiness, side profile of the car is extremely sleek, keeping that low stance exuding that sporty look. Being the sportback model there is no boot, and it tapers off to the the hatch shape with rear almost as striking as the front, with the rear light also featuring a LED design that includes the welcome dance when unlocking and locking the car. The S Line kit gives the rear bumper a menacing diffuser with imitation vents either side finished off in that honeycomb grille styling. On the wheels, 18" Y-Spoke graphic grey, diamond-turned rims adorned the car, while there is a 19" rim on offer, I think this would be the preferred choice. On the inside, the entire design and feel of this interior seems on a class of its own when compared to other cars in this segment, it's very modern, mature, full of tech but minimalistic in its own right. Everything is driver cockpit centric and fits the new Audi design language to the T. 

PERFORMANCE

While only powered by a 1.4-litre turbo-charge motor, you won't find this car struggling with performance. It's pretty nippy with the engine output coming in at 110kW and 250Nm of torque, all this is controlled by an 8-speed tiptronic gearbox which is sublime. I know its not the S tronic box that many are used to on the higher end models but is better suited to this smaller engine. It offers better gear ratios in the various driving modes, ensuring maximum power delivery while still being economical. Mind you when driving in dynamic mode, fuel economy isn't the first thing on your mind and experiencing what this engine can offer, you'll soon forget about what your fuel average is as this car can deliver on performance, fast acceleration with a 0-100km/h time of 8.2 seconds, minimal turbo-lag and with the low center of gravity you get from the cockpit, it just makes the whole experience quite exciting. This model didn't have the four-wheel Quattro drive system but still felt very planted and quite easy to control around the bends. Composed driving with this car gave me an average fuel consumption of around 7.8L per 100km, almost bang on with what the brochure claims for urban use. 

COMFORT

This car is much lower than I expected it to be, given that it is a sporty hatchback, but even with you being so low the ride quality was still quite soft and comfy, I think the 18" rims played a big role with that as you would experience a bit more bumpiness had it been fitted with the 19" options. The car has dual-zone climate control for the driver and passengers, with the large panoramic sunroof, keeping the temperature regulated while the hot Durban sun beamed down onto that glass roof with the curtain open isn't easy but the A3's coped quite well to keep the interior cool. Being fitted with the S Line kit, the interior options included a leather arm rest, "Dark Aluminum Spektrum" finish on the dash, outlines and doors. Audi S Line emblems on the door plates and seats, pedals and foot rest in stainless steel and sport seats for the driver and front passenger with the option of having the seats fully electric and memory settings. The steering wheel was the famous leather-wrapped multi-function plus wheel with paddle shift for that 8-speed gearbox and the signature flat-bottom. The car comes with Audi's latest MMI touch screen interface with Audi Connect, which has built-in mobile applications, a virtual cockpit for the drivers instrument cluster and that Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System with 3D sound which made cruising around town all that more enjoyable while listening to your favourite tracks. 

VERDICT 

Overall the Audi A3 was nothing short of sublime in my books, spending a week with it really opened my eyes as to why this model has been so particular well received by many in the past. It's so much more than just a premium hatchback or sportback as they like to call it now. It's definitely grown and matured to be quite a versatile car where it could be appealing to a youngster looking to upgrade to a more premium car, an ideal vehicle for a small family with ever the option to get it in a sedan format. The level of technology that this car comes with is similar to that on the higher end models so you know you're getting the best of what is on offer from the brand and that is something I really like that from Audi. Like I said at the beginning of this review, with VW opting not to introduce lower end engines to their line-up, this might be worth a look for others, yes pricing will be a bit steeper than what you'd expect a Golf to be but given the base price of R601,000 that still is R80,000 cheaper than the GTI so it is definitely an option to consider. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	1.4L TFSI
Gear Box	8-Speed Tiptronic
Torque	250Nm
Power	110kW
Top Speed	219km
Price	R601,000*

*base price, price as tested R800,000

 

Bucket Seat: Audi Q3 Sportback 40TFSI

Audi's Q3 has been one of those vehicles that just seemed to be there, I mean it serves a purpose in the segment as a compact SUV but in essence it is a "soccer moms van". Perfect for school rounds and the odd weekend away but it lacked that cool aspect to it, while the new shape and interior has helped it in leaps and bounds, especially with their new design language and the matrix LED lights giving the car that much more character it needed something more. Luckily the designers at Audi felt the same and decided to make a coupe derivative of the Q3, aptly named the Q3 Sportback which features a sleeker design with a sloped roof line that gives it that coupe like shape and makes it look like a baby Q8. I spent some time with this new SUV crossover from the German manufacturer and here are my thoughts on it. 

DESIGN

While the overall shape still remains pretty similar to the standard Q3, the Sportback's sleek roof line really morphs the vehicle into something more sportier and attractive to look at. It has presence and it feels like its ready to hit the road. The front end remains very much the same with big pronounced grille and new headlamps. The massive change comes from the roof with a lower line and it tapers off ever so slightly as you get to the rear where the gradient increases towards the boot lid. They obviously couldn't angle it that much since it would compromise the head room for the rear passengers but when looking at its side profile it does look great and symmetrical. The designers did try to enhance the gradient with the chrome work around the windows give that coupe like line. The rear end is also beefed up with a wider stance at the wheel arches. Moving to the rear, the LED headlamps follow the same style as the normal Q3 but blends well with the more slanted boot lid and the design of the rear difusser really accentuates the sporty look with a brushed aluminum tailgate border. This Q3 Sportback I had did come with the S-Line kit which I think is a must for this variant as it just adds that much more in terms of looks and stance to the car. 

PERFORMANCE

The Q3 Sportback which I had on test was the current range topping 40TFSI with S Tronic gearbox, it has the same 2.0L engine that is featured in all of Audi's 40TFSI models which delivers 132kW and 320Nm of torque, while these figures are decent for a car of this size, it does feel a bit laggy when you push your foot down. Probably has to do with the torque generated rather than time on the turbo. That being said, urban driving in it is a breeze and when on the highway it copes well, as I did a long distance drive with it through KZN, with a full cabin of passengers and some luggage, it coped well and didn't feel under strain when power was required, this did however hamper the fuel economy a bit but nothing too drastic to make any alarm bells ring, end of the day you are driving a 2.0L here. The drive itself is sublime, with Audi's Quattro on demand it does help driving dynamics of the car when blasting through winding roads. 

COMFORT

The cabin look and feel is class, its almost a mimic of what we're seeing in the higher end Audi models and its great to see this being transferred into the lower end models in the range. I love the new integrated dash with infotainment screen  that is angled ever so slightly towards the driver making the cockpit very driver centric. The seats which were finished off in leather are super comfy and the driver along with the front passenger enjoyed the heated function which came in handy in the KZN midlands. The passengers at the back didn't have any issues as well, with plenty USB's on hand to keep everyone's phone fully charged as well as 3-zone climate control to suit all's temperature preferences. The car comes with all the lovely features, some as standard and others as option extras like your park assist, lane departure warning as well as collision alert. The car came with built-in mobile apps as well as wireless charge mat which is part of the phone package option. 

VERDICT

Overall the Q3 Sportback does a lot to quell the "boring" label that its sibling the Q3 has, its great to look at, fun to drive and while the engine could be a bit more enthusiastic, I'm sure Audi were holing back on that front so that this model doesn't take away too much from what the RSQ3 Sportback will bring. I enjoyed my time with it, and while the luggage space is compromised slightly due to the swooping tailgate, I still managed to get my set of golf clubs in there which is the most important part for me! This particular model will definitely have a certain target market, and it's biggest rival might be one that is from its sister company VW, with the T-Roc. The both share the same platform and offer more of less the same in terms of engine and tech but the Audi definitely has a more luxury feel to it. 

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine	2.0L TFSI
Gear Box	7-Speed S Tronic
Torque	320Nm
Power	132kW
0-100km/h	7.8 seconds
Price	R758,500