Transforming the exterior of a car is fine, but refreshing the engine line-up truly makes for an updated car. Audi have done exactly that. Updated engines include the 1.4-litre and 2.0-litre four-cylinder TFSI units along with the two variants of the 2.0-litre TDI motor and then there is the tech-statement called the RS Q3, which comes with a fire-breathing 2.5-litre, five-cylinder, turbocharged motor good enough for 340 PS and 450 Nm. Audi claim that these engines are 17 per cent more efficient than before. They have also introduced cylinder-on-demand (C-O-D) tech, available with select petrol and diesel motors, to further enhance fuel efficiency. But I doubt whether the company will bring C-O-D to India.
The Q3 seen here is the one that will be featured on the Indian sales chart. It comes with the same 2.0-litre TDI motor, but the power has been boosted to produce 185 PS. That brilliant piece of German engineering called the seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission delivers the power to all the wheels via the superb quattro four-wheel drive system. I was glad to see that Audi haven’t really tinkered much with this powertrain. In fact, they have bumped up the smoothness, subdued the acoustics and have further enhanced the refinement, making it even more desirable than before. Linear power and torque delivery still rank high and so does the seamless shifting of the S tronic box. The eight-PS increase in power is hardly noticeable, though it still has enough grunt to forge ahead with enough gusto. The acceleration is smooth and flawless, propelling the Q3 to triple-digit autobahn speeds within seconds. And thanks to the 380 Nm of amazing low-end turning force, which arrives much before the claimed 1,800 RPM, the new Q3 is just as effortless to potter around in the city as before. This improved 2.0 TDI is great and the best part is that it hasn’t lost even an ounce of enthusiasm. It comes with the right amount of vigour and has a very lively character that makes it a perfect match for the superb chassis.
