Audi India will be soon seen launching a new entry level variant of its Q3 crossover. The good folks at OD are saying that the new variant, which will known as the Audi Q3 S, will be launched in India on August 19.
The new variant of the Q3, the Audi Q3 S, will be considerably cheaper than the current entry level variant in Q3’s line up. The Audi Q3 S will come to us via CKD (Completely Knocked Down) route and will be assembled at Audi’s assembly facility in Aurangabad.
Currently, the Q3 comes to us through the CBU (Completely build Unit) route and the current entry level variant’s 2 litre diesel engine produces a max power of 174 bhp and a peak torque of 380 Nm.
Audi Q3 S, however, will get this engine in a lower state of tune. For the Q3 S, the 2.0 litre oil burner will have a max power output of 140 bhp and peak torque of 320 Nm. The Audi Q3 S will also miss out on Quattro all wheel drive system and will come with a FWD layout. Replacing the 7 speed automatic gearbox will be a 6 speed manual transmission.
Furthermore, the car won’t come equipped with features such as DRLs (Day time running lights), Bi-Xenon headlamps and sunroof. Further assisting Audi India with keeping the prices under check will be the omission of power assist feature for co-driver side passenger seat, satellite navigation and the reverse parking camera will be replaced by reverse parking sensors.
All this would make Audi Q3 lighter by 140 kilograms and more pocket friendly by almost INR 3.5 lakhs.
It would be interesting to see if the Q3 S would play a significant role in keeping the Audi Q3 at the top of the sales charts.
Stay tuned for more on the upcoming Audi Q3 S India launch.