2014 Audi Q3 Dynamic

The Audi Q3 Dynamic has been launched in India at a price of Rs. 38.40 lakhs (ex-Mumbai).

What you'll like:

• Only AWD luxury SUV in the segment. Quattro system offers leech-like levels of grip
• Top-notch interior quality. Noticeably superior to the BMW X1
• Competent diesel engine is mated to a quick, seamlessly shifting dual-clutch 7 speed gearbox
• Effortless to drive, thanks to the light steering & compact dimensions
• Loaded to the gills with features, and then some 
• 5 star safety rating & equipment (ESP, ABS, EBD, electronic diff lock, a multitude of airbags etc.)

What you won't:

• 'Audi Drive Select' doesn't make a noticeable difference to the suspension
• This 'Dynamic' variant is priced 50% higher than the base 'S' variant
• Long-term reliability concerns over the DSG automatic
• Over-assisted electric steering. Stays light at highway speeds, feels vague too
• Stiff ride quality on bad & broken roads
• Limited rear seat space. The Q3 is best suited to 4 onboard (and not 5)

It's been about 2.5 years since the Audi Q3 was launched in India. The compact SUV has become Audi's best-seller in the Q range, followed by the mammoth Q7. Since September 2013, the Q3 has been locally assembled at the Aurangabad plant. Its chief competitors are the long-in-the-tooth BMW X1 & the recently launched Mercedes GLA. The 'Dynamic' is the Q3's new top-end variant. It costs 38.40 lakhs (ex-Mumbai), which is 2 lakhs more than the Premium+ trim. Also, the price difference from the base "S" variant is a significant 13 lakh rupees! The talking point of the Q3 Dynamic is the "Audi Drive Select" system. It's basically a dynamic suspension with 3 different driving modes (Comfort, Dynamic, Auto). The driver can select from any of the modes via a dedicated button on the center console, or the MMI interface. The car is otherwise the same mechanically, utilising the familiar 2.0L VAG diesel with 174 BHP (@ 4,200 rpm) and 380 Nm torque (@ 1750 - 2500 rpm). Power is transmitted via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic and the Quattro all-wheel-drive system. We'd have expected to see paddle shifters on this pricey variant, but they're conspicuous by their absence. Do note that the Q3's base "S" variant is available with a manual transmission & FWD layout. 'Audi Drive Select' is the talking point of the new Dynamic variant: Front grille gets more chrome. Right below is the new silver skid plate: Chrome-ringed foglamps: Clear lens tail-lamps: Silver skid plate at the rear as well: 35 TDI badge, as per Audi's new naming system. The badging now has a number (in multiples of 5) that denotes the 'performance factor' of the model. The faster the car, the higher this number. For instance, the A3 petrol is badged 40 TFSI as its 0 - 100 time of 7.3 seconds is quicker than this 35 TDI diesel: 3 new colour options - Florett Silver, Mythos Black and Monsoon Grey (pictured below): Last edited by GTO : 11th October 2014 at 14:42.

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11th October 2014, 12:22

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mobike008 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 8,840 Thanked: 3,452 Times View My Garage

re: 2014 Audi Q3 Dynamic : Official Review The Kari Motor Speedway is a short, tight & highly technical track with many sharp turns... ...and a long straight: 'Audi Drive Select' offers the following 3 driving modes: Comfort: Makes the suspension slightly softer to tackle rough roads and ensures a smoother ride for passengers. Dynamic: This mode is meant for spirited drivers. It mildly stiffens the suspension up. Auto: Meant for those who would rather let the electronics automatically choose between comfort & dynamic modes. Honestly, there is hardly any difference felt between 'comfort' & 'dynamic' modes. The layman will be hard pressed to notice any change at all. Only perhaps on bad roads will the dynamic mode's stiffness be felt at low speeds, but the variance isn't substantial (as you'd expect). There's no significant improvement in handling either. Whatever marginal improvement is there, it'll not be noticed by most drivers. The Q3's 'Drive Select' system is a good feature to brag about, although there's no real-world advantage to it. Most drivers will prefer keeping it in 'comfort' mode only. Is it worth the price premium then? No ways. Suspension comfort on good roads, or roads with smaller imperfections, is absorbent and flat. This is the kind of suppleness that X1 owners can only dream about. Best part is - as the speed increases - the ride only gets better. On the downside, on bad & broken roads, the underlying stiffness and low profile tyres show their ugly side. On poor stretches of tarmac, the Q3 starts getting uncomfortable. Large potholes can result in a bone jarring ride. It is almost impossible to keep up the pace on bad roads....the same roads that a humble Pajero manages in a far superior manner. The Q3 is equipped with a stiffer suspension to offset the height disadvantage, in its quest for superior dynamics. I put in 2 hot laps with the Q3. INRC champ Prithveen Rajan shared tips with us and was in the lead car. It was a great experience to hurtle down the track following Prithveen's instructions. The Q3 AWD has a gruff engine note on the outside, yet on the inside, refinement levels are good. The cabin is well insulated and there is none of the diesel humm at low revvs that we are used to hearing in VWs / Skodas powered by the same engine. It's only in the mid-range rpms that you hear some amount of diesel clatter. Compared to the BMW X1, the Audi Q3 feels a lot more refined. There is a considerable difference, especially when comparing NVH levels at idle. This higher state of tune has power delivery that's a lot more peaky. The S-tronic transmission (dual-clutch) doesn't have a torque converter and thus, there is a distinct lag at low rpm. The X1 surely feels punchier at the low end. Anyone who has driven the VW-group DSGs will be familiar with the initial lag that I am talking about. After the initial lag, and past 1,500 rpm, performance is strong all the way to the redline. The mid-range is where this engine feels best; even in 7th gear, there is enough throttle response at highway speeds. The redline is marked at 4,500 rpm and the 2 liter diesel revvs close to 5,000 rpm without feeling strained. Still, the BMW 2.0L diesel is the revv-happier of the two. While the Q3 is more than fast enough for public roads, I had to really pin the pedal on the race track straights. Typical of a dual-clutch gearbox (DSG), shift quality is seamless and without any interruption of power. Driven conservatively, the box upshifts at rpms as low as 1,400 - 1,500 rpm in D mode, maximising fuel economy. Although D mode is responsive enough for most, S mode is in a different league altogether. Not only does the box upshift at higher rpms, even the shift times are shorter. Gear changes in S mode are lightning quick, and completely devoid of jerks. Downshifts are nowhere as quick though and you do feel a lag if you need a drop suddenly (say, for an overtaking move). The gearbox also offers a manual mode. As competent as the DSG is, it remains more expensive to buy & maintain. Their reliability is a serious area of concern. The steering is a disappointment for enthusiasts seeking feel and feedback. This electric power steering is over-assisted and feels disconnected most of the time. For the mass market, the light steering might be a boon, especially when parking and navigating through urban traffic. Good part is, the steering has quick, sharp responses making it fun in the twisties. If only it weren't so light at highway speeds. Audi should have engineered the steering to weigh up more as the speedometer needle climbs. Steering apart, the Q3 has a very sporty handling setup. Sure, it doesn't entertain like the RWD BMW X1, but still feels enthusiastic when attacking corners. The Quattro system grips the road as if super-glue were applied to the tyres. Even with the ESP turned off, it will be very difficult for average drivers to lose control. On the limit, the Q3 will develop understeer in a progressive, predictable manner. Road behaviour is closer to sedans than heavier SUVs, and you never really feel like you are driving a crossover SUV. Stability at speed is good (except for the light steering). This, along with a flat ride and refined engine, makes the Q3 mask high speeds very well. The car impressed me particularly during slalom manoeuvring. Body roll, which we normally expect from an SUV, is superbly controlled. The Q3 is equipped with disc brakes on all 4 wheels, ABS, EBD and an emergency brake assist system. Pedal feel is well-calibrated. Braking performance is strong, stopping distances short, with the Q3 maintaining composure even under hard braking conditions. In one test, we had to accelerate hard, go through the slalom section, return, swerve into the shoulder of the track and brake really hard without touching the cones that were placed precariously close to each other. I was pleasantly surprised as the Q3 Dynamic passed this test fairly well. There was absolutely no drama when I approached the braking point from high speed, slamming hard on the pedal to bring the car to a complete standstill. Red and black combo looked great on the track: