Audi has launched the Audi Q3 in India officially on June 6, 2012 in Mumbai Maharashtra at a starting price of Rs. 26.21 Lakhs ex-showroom Maharashtra for the Audi Q3 bas grade variant while the high grade variant of the Q3 is priced at Rs. 31.49 Lakhs. The Audi Q3 will be available at its all 19 Audi Indian dealerships starting right away. Audi Q3 is powered by a 2.0 Litre TDI Diesel Engine which produces 177 BHP of power and 380 Nm of torque with a all wheel drive quattro system which is first in segment. For first phase of bookings, only 500 Audi Q3 SUVs are available, so if you want to grab one for yourself, better hurry up or you will have to wait for the second phase.
The Audi Q3 brings a tough competition to the BMW X1 which is also priced close to Rs. 25 Lakhs for its 2 Litre diesel engine variant. The entry of Audi into this low competition segment which has been a strong area for the X1 is a huge opportunity to drive the sales volumes higher very quickly.
Audi Q3 India Features And Details
The Audi Q3 base Grade will feature16 inch aluminium 7 spoke alloy wheels, sporty roof rails, heat insulated glass, electrically foldable, adjustable and heating outside rear view mirrors, halogen headlamps with daytime running lamp etc. on the exteriors. On the interiors it will feature leatherette B-grain upholstery, interior lighting package, leather wrapped steering wheel, steering mounted with multifunction controls etc. On the safety features, it sports ESP, Airbag, side airbags, immobilizer, child seat mounts etc. The base grade comes with manual air conditioning system, hill start assist, 4 way lumbar support at front seats, electric seat adjust for driver seat, rear parking assist, Cruise control, concert audio system, driver information system, voice command system and Bluetooth Support.
Additional to the above features mentioned for the base grade, the high grade gets these extra features including larger 17 inch alloy wheels with 10 spoke design, rain sensing wipers and automatic headlamps, headlight washers, Xenon Plus lamps, LED Lamps at rear, Interior lighting with LEDs, high gloss walnut brown interiors, automatic air conditioner with sun sensor for better cooling, parking plus system, electrically adjustable driver and passenger seat at front, tyre pressure monitoring system, driver information system with coloured display.
Apart from these features, there are two other options which can be availed on any of the two grades, there features include – Panoramic glass roof and storage package.
We believe that Audi Q3 will bring some real competition to BMW and will get good share in the compact luxury SUV segment. It will take a month or two to get the sales figures which will reveal how well it has been accepted by Indian car buyers. Since this segment is growing very well, Mercedes Benz India will also bring its offering, the Mercedes GLA Class SUV which will be based on Mercedes A Class hatchback to acclaim its share in the segment, but the GLA will come only by mid 2013 or later, so if you are willing to get a luxury compact SUV under Rs. 30 Lakhs, now you have one more very appealing choice, the Q3.
