Despite the fact the Q3 has been updated quite recently, it still is the old car released more than five years ago. Because its close sibling, the Tiguan, received a major updated recently, rumors suggest that the 2017 Audi Q3 is going to be an entirely new vehicle. This will most likely be true considering that this is usually the case with VW’s models. The upcoming Q3 is going to be based on VW’s new MQB platform which is a highly modular transverse engine chassis, and we can see it used in almost every car across the VW Group. This means that the Q3 will share its floor-pan and likely wheelbase with the new Tiguan.
While it might not mean much for some, this means that the car will grow. In fact, the new Tiguan is noticeably larger than before, and the Q3 will get to similar proportions to the Q5. However, in order not to ruin the sales of the larger model Audi might do something interesting with the smaller Q. More on that later, though. The release date hasn’t been officially unveiled for now, but we do hope the car will be out on the market by the end of 2017. The price for the US market model should go down, and we could hear that the base version will be sold for about $31,800 meaning that it will be almost $2,000 cheaper than before. Adjustments were needed since the German car maker also planning on introducing a smaller Q2, which will be slotted right under the Q3 and will have a price tag that is under the $30,000 mark.
This is an interesting move, and we do hope that it will work for them. However, the 2017 Audi Q3 will likely remain the focus of many because it will combine the perfect size for a car in this class and a good level of comfort and luxury features. This means that it will be great for city use as well as for outdoor trips or highway cruises. The new platform receives a new running gear, more efficient brakes, and new engines. On top of that, the Q3 is expected to shed more than 300 pounds of weight which will improve the general dynamic capabilities of the car.
2017 Audi Q3 Design
Like with most other current Audi vehicles, the design of the new Q3 will be quite familiar to anyone who has ever seen an Audi before. The front end is going to be quite similar to the ongoing generation. The grille will be slightly more angular and this time around both the grille and the headlights will be pushed out for a 3D effect. At the back, the car will likely receive longer overhangs as well as a boxier design. All of the changes will be meant to offer more space inside the cabin as well as a more muscular look. Unfortunately, like with the current Audi cars, the interior will likely be pretty much identical to what we get in the A3. This was fine in the past but considering how many great choices are out there, it might hurt the sales of the future 2017 Audi Q3.
Engine and Transmission
Being a car based on the MQB platform, the upcoming Q3 should get pretty much the same engines as the Tiguan. The US market is likely going to receive just the 2.0-liter turbocharged mill. This updated engine should provide close to 240 horsepower and more than 250 lb-ft of torque. Rumors suggest that in Europe the smallest engine will be a 1.2-liter turbocharged inline 4 with up to 130 horsepower. It will be interesting to see if the 1.0-liter three cylinder TFSI unit will be again offered here with its 114 hp. Further up the range a 1.8-liter unit, as well as a 2.0-liter mill, will be available. On top of that, a 1.6 and 2.0-liter diesel engines should also be offered in certain markets, and these are expected to provide from 115 to 187 hp. A manual should be standard on the base models, but most trims will be coming out with a dry dual-clutch automatic which is one of the faster but jerky automatic gearboxes out there.
