Item: 2019 Audi F3 Q3
Rating: 3

High standard of interior fit and finish
Good body control and accurate steering
Significantly improved interior space relative to Audi 8U Q3
Large boot

For 35 TFSI, engine lacks refinement and exhibits turbo lag
Double clutch transmission eager to upshift and reluctant to downshift
Ride quality is acceptable, but firm
Slight delay when operating touchscreen
Voice recognition (‘natural-language voice control’) doesn’t work as intended

Overview

Released in Australia in October 2019, the Audi F3 Q3 was a compact SUV. Manufactured in Gyor, Hungary, the Audi F3 Q3 range for Australia initially consisted of the front-wheel drive 35 TFSI variant, though other variants will follow in the first half of 2010 (including quattro variants).

Specifications: 2019 Audi F3 Q3
Variant	Engine	Trans.	Peak power	Peak torque
35 TFSI	1395 cc CZD turbo petrol I4	7sp DCT	110 kW at 5000-6000 rpm	250 Nm at 1500-3500 rpm
40 TFSI quattro	1984 cc EA888 turbo petrol I4	7sp DCT	140 kW at 4200-6700 rpm	320 Nm at 1500-4200 rpm
45 TFSI quattro	1984 cc EA888 turbo petrol I4	7sp DCT	169 kW at 5000-6700 rpm	350 Nm at 1500-4400 rpm
35 TDI	1968 cc EA288evo turbo diesel I4	7sp DCT	110 kW at 3500-4000 rpm	340 Nm at 1750-3000 rpm
40 TDI quattro	1968 cc EA288evo turbo diesel I4	7sp DCT	140 kW at 3500-4000 rpm	400 Nm at 1750-3250 rpm

Haldex 5 all-wheel drive (‘quattro’)

The Audi F3 Q3 quattro had a fifth-generation Haldex all-wheel drive system which utilised an electronically controlled and hydraulically actuated multi-plate clutch that was located in front of the rear axle differential (at the end of the prop shaft). If there was a loss of front-wheel traction, or such a loss was anticipated by on-board sensors, the clutch would engage to transfer torque to the rear axle ‘in just a few milliseconds’ for a 50:50 front:rear torque split.

As a result of software which determined the parameters for engagement of the multi-plate clutch, the all-wheel drive system had three selectable modes:

Efficiency: for maximum fuel efficiency, the rear axle was decoupled such that the vehicle was front-wheel drive only. Nonetheless, all-wheel drive would still be activated before torque was required at all four wheels if a loss of traction was anticipated;
Auto: the quattro system provided a 90:10 front:rear torque split; and,
Dynamic: the multi-plate clutch engaged earlier and to a greater extent.

Body and dimensions

The second-generation Audi Q3 F3 was underpinned by Volkswagen AG’s MQB platform. Compared to the Audi 8U Q3 , the Audi F3 Q3 was 97 mm longer (at 4484 mm), 25 mm wider (1856 mm), 26 mm taller (1616 mm) and had a 77 mm longer wheelbase (2680 mm). Luggage capacity for the Audi Q3 was 530 litres (previously 420 litres) and the cargo floor could be adjusted to three different heights.

Suspension and steering

The Audi F3 Q3 had MacPherson strut front suspension and four-link rear suspension. As an extra-cost option ($2000 at launch), the Audi F3 Q3 could be specified with electronically controlled dampers that could vary damping response according to the drive mode selected and driving conditions.

The Audi Q3 had rack-and-pinion steering with electric power assistance; its turning circle was 11.8 metres. The Audi Q3 could also be specified with ‘progressive steering’ whereby the steering ratio became more direct as steering angle increased.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Audi Q3 included dual front airbags, front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters.

For Australian delivered vehicles, the Audi F3 Q3 was equipped with the following active safety technologies as standard –

Audi pre-sense front with Autonomous Emergency Braking: provided collision mitigation from 5 km/h to 85 km/h for pedestrians and cyclists, and at speeds up to 250 km/h for vehicles. If a frontal collision was anticipated, the driver would receive visual and acoustic warnings to apply the brakes, followed by a brief application of the brakes for a jolting effect to alert the driver. If the driver failed to respond, maximum braking force would be applied to reduce vehicle speed;
Lane departure warning: active at speeds above 60 km/h, lane departure warning would warn the driver if they were about to cross lane markings and applied ‘corrective steering intervention’ to prevent the lane departure. The driver could also select a setting so that the steering wheel would vibrate as an additional warning;
Lane change warning: at speeds over 30 km/h, lane change warning used two radar sensors to monitor the area 70 metres behind the vehicle during lane change manoeuvres. If there was a vehicle in the driver’s blind spot or an approaching vehicle was detected, the driver would be alerted by an illuminated LED in the door mirror on the side of the Audi Q3 where the vehicle was detected. If the driver activated the turn signal, the LEDs would flash at high frequency;
Cross traffic assist rear: when reversing at low speeds, rear cross-traffic assist used the rear radar sensors to detect approaching traffic. If approaching traffic which may cross the vehicle’s path was detected, the driver would receive warnings (visual, acoustic and a brief, jolting application of the brakes);
Pre sense basic: initiated occupant protection measures such as tightening the front seatbelts, closing the windows and sunroof (where fitted), and activating the hazard lights if ‘unstable driving conditions’ were detected or a collision was anticipated; and,
Attention Assist: monitored driver behaviour for signs of inattentiveness and would issue a warning tone and visual signal if detected.

Euro NCAP testing: Audi F3 Q3

In Euro NCAP testing , the Audi F3 Q3 received a five star safety rating which included a 95 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 86 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the frontal offset test, protection of the driver’s head, thighs and feet were rated as good, though chest and lower leg protection was rated as adequate (i.e. a slight risk of serious injury). In the side impact and pole tests, however, maximum points were awarded.

Wheels, tyres and brakes

The Audi Q3 35 TFSI had 7.0J x 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/55 R18 tyres. Furthermore, the Q3 35 TFSI had 312 mm by 25 mm ventilated front brake discs and 300 mm by 12 mm solid rear discs.

The Audi Q3 35 TFSI Launch Edition was fitted with 7.0J x 19-inch alloy wheels with 235/50 R19 tyres.

Features: Audi F3 Q3 35 TFSI

The infotainment system for the Audi F3 Q3 consisted of –

‘MMI navigation plus with MMI touch’: included a 10.1-inch colour display, navigation system with 3D maps and voice control with natural speech recognition;
‘Audi connect plus’ navigation and infotainment services;
‘Audi virtual cockpit’: a configurable 10.25-inch colour display in place of the instrument cluster;
Audi smartphone interface for Apple Carplay and Android Auto smartphone integration;
Audi music interface: two front USB interfaces (one USB type A and one USB type C) and two USB type C interfaces;
Audi phone box light: wireless mobile phone charging (Qi standard); and,
A six speaker audio system with digital radio tuner (DAB+).

Beyond this, standard features for the Audi F3 Q3 35 TFSI included leather-appointed upholstery, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control with speed limiter, adaptive LED headlights with daytime running lights, dusk-sensing headlights, rain-sensing wipers, ‘Audi parking system plus’ (front and rear parking sensors, and a rear view camera and visual display), 40:20:40 split folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, proximity key (i.e. keyless entry), power adjustable door mirrors, power windows, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, push-button start, power-operated tailgate with gesture control for hands-free opening, roof rails, tyre pressure loss indicator, floor mats, a trip computer and immobiliser.

2019 Audi Q3 35 TFSI Launch Edition

The Audi Q3 35 TFSI Launch Edition was released in Australia in October 2019 to coincide with the launch of the Audi F3 Q3. The Q3 35 TFSI Launch Edition could be identified by its black exterior styling package which consisted of black highlights for the front grille, side window trim strips, front and rear bumpers, roof rails and door mirrors.

Compared to the standard Q3 35 TFSI, the Launch Edition was equipped with a ‘Comfort Package’ which included power adjustable front seats (with adjustable lumbar support), heated front seats, power folding and heated door mirrors with a kerb-side function on the passenger side, an auto-dimming interior mirror and Adaptive Cruise Control with stop & go function and emergency assist. Specifically,

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): using two front radar sensors and the camera, ACC can maintain a specified distance – from five distances – between the Audi Q3 and the vehicle ahead;
Stop&Go function: an extension of ACC, ‘Stop&Go’ operated at speeds of up to 60 km/h and could apply the brakes to bring the vehicle to rest. Once traffic began moving, the Audi Q3 would automatically accelerate; and,
Emergency assist: would bring the vehicle to rest if the driver was unable to do so.

The Comfort Package was available as a $2600 extra-cost option for the standard Audi Q3 35 TFSI.

Beyond this, standard features for the Q3 35 TFSI Launch Edition were extended to include 180 watt audio system with ten speakers (including subwoofer) and a six-channel amplifiers, LED interior ambient lighting and rear privacy glass. The Audi Q3 35 TFSI Launch Edition was also fitted with a 360 degree surround view camera system which used four wide-angle cameras to provide a virtual top view, reversing camera view, panorama view for front and rear, and kerb-side view.

Specifications

Stephen Tomlinson

http://AustralianCar.Reviews

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