India-Bound 2019 Audi Q3’s Global Production To Begin Later This Year

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2019 Audi Q3 will be based on the lighter MQB platform and it will have evolutionary approach to the design language and interior

In the eve of celebrating 25th anniversary, the Hungarian division of Audi has revealed that it will manufacture the updated Q3 SUV in the later stages of this year. Having built 168 pre-production models already, the facility in Győr sees employees undergoing training at present. A new body shop has been set up spanning 80,000 sq m.

No official details regarding the upcoming India-bound Q3 are known yet as Audi has remained tight lipped thus far. However, going by the speculations and the spy shots of near-production test prototypes, we know what is cooking under the shelf. The design changes will be more of an evolution rather than a comprehensive overhaul.

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It will have sharper and more angular headlamps, significantly muscular rear haunches and a chiseled body among others. Out the back, there will be redesigned tail lamps and revisions to the bumper and spoiler. The most significant of all the changes is that the new Q3 will be built on the MQB architecture as opposed to the existing PQ35 platform.

It will inevitably make the Q3 lighter and in turn improving the drivability and handling characteristics. It could weight around 50 kilograms lower than the outgoing model. The flexible MQB platform will give access to incorporation of new technologies and powertrains indeed. It will share some of the engine options with the Volkswagen Tiguan.

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The base variant will get powered by the small 1.5-litre four-cylinder engine and the range will extend till the 2.5-litre five-cyl unit making around 400 horsepower. Going by the latest developments, we can expect the upcoming Q3 to receive electric as well as plug-in hybrid variants.

In India, the Audi Q3 is sold in four variants with the engine lineup being 1.4-litre petrol and 2.0-litre diesel. It is priced between Rs. 33.40 lakh and Rs. 41.54 lakh (ex-showroom, New Delhi). We can expect the new version to be launched here sometime next year after making its global debut.