The all-new 2020 Audi Q3 officially landed, bringing with it a fresh new take to SUVs. While most SUVs are specific with its target market and usage, the Q3 is a breath of fresh air, as it was designed to cater to every kind of driver, for every kind of need. Tagged as “the all-around SUV,” the all-new Q3 easily fuses spaciousness, versatility, and technology.
From the get-go, the Audi Q3 is decidedly the grown-up version of its predecessor. Grown-up, in the sense that not only does it carry features like the Audi Virtual Cockpit and a 10.1 MMI touch display, it has also expanded its market to catering to the trendier crowd. With fashion being more versatile in recent years, the move to making the Q3’s design sportier, with rigid surfaces, and sharper edges, makes it appealing to the up-and-coming individual.
On the outside, the Q3 has a form that differentiates it from its brothers, the Q5 and Q7. Highlighting the side view of the car are the symmetrical graphics of the headlight and rear lights. The shoulder line that connects these elements seamlessly provide an overall athletic impression. To improve visibility, the rear of the car is divided into 2 zones, with the L-shaped rear lights in the upper section.
Under the hood, the all-new Audi Q3 is powered by a 1.4-L inline-four turbocharged engine. Running on gasoline, it delivers 150 horsepower and torque output of 250 Nm. The engine is mated to a seven-speed, S tronic dual-clutch transmission. The combinations allows it to accelerate from 0 km/h to 100 km/h in just 8.7 seconds. Safety features include electronic stability control, electromechanical power steering, hold assist, hill descent control, and park assist with a rear-view camera.
In terms of size, it is the widest in its class of SUVs. It is longer than its predecessor by 96 millimeters (total length of 4,484 millimeters) and wider by 18 millimeters (total width of 1,849 millimeters). This extension also adds to an improvement in space, with a total wheelbase of 2,680 millimeters. Given this, there is a slight decrease in the overall height of the Q3, at a total of just 1,585 millimeters — 5 millimeters shorter than previous. The cargo hold has also improved, with a total capacity of 675 liters. With the back seats folded down, you can expect at least 1,525 liters.
The interior design is also as dynamic as its exterior. The architecture of the dashboard echoes that of Audi’s parent-class models, as it also harmonizes with the digital operating concept. The 10.1-inch MMI touch display is set against a high-gloss black panel that gives the console a clean, almost imperceptible look. Its shape is also complementary to motif of the Singleframe front grille, constrasting only with a wide chrome strip. In terms of tech, the system is now compatible with both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, making it flexible for users no matter what their device may be. The screen can be split into 2 views, offering convenience for the driver.
Another element to note is the all-new Q3’s five-star rating in the Euro New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). It has succeeded in the following categories: adult occupant protection, child safety, passenger protection, and vulnerable road user protection. The Q3 has also acquired the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s “Top Safety Pick Plus” rating, scoring the highest rating a car can achieve in all crashworthiness tests. In addition, the car has won the Reader’s Choice of “Best Cars 2019” by the German Technical magazine, Auto Motor und Sport.
The all-new 2020 Audi Q3 checks in P 3,390,000. It is available for viewing, a test drive, or purchase at the following Audi showrooms: Greenhills, Global City, Westgate Alabang, and SM Seaside Cebu.
Words and Photos by Gen Tiu.
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