Audi currently does not offer a competitor for the BMW X1 and the upcoming Mercedes-Benz GLA in the United States, but that may change within a year or two, if a report from Car&Driver is accurate. Rumor has it that the Audi Q3 will be available in North America after its first mid-cycle facelift.
The reason for which Audi does not offer the Q3 in the U.S. at present is that the compact SUV does not meet the requirements to be classified as a “light truck”. In order to comply with the standards, Audi will have to modify the Q3 to manage the mandated approach angle for light trucks, among other changes. The modifications are said to be operated when the Q3 gets its first facelift, expected for 2014 or 2015.
Once the Q3 qualifies as a light truck, it will be imported to the U.S. – high-performance RS Q3 model included. In Europe, the Q3 is offered with a range of turbocharged gasoline and diesel engines. Gasoline units include the 1.4 TFSI with 150 PS (148hp), the 2.0 TFSI with 170 PS (168hp) and the 2.0 TFSI with 211 PS (208hp). As for diesels, the 2.0 TDI is offered in two power levels – 140 PS (138hp) and 177 PS (175hp).
There’s also the range-topping RS Q3 model which is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder gasoline engine developing 310 PS (306hp), slightly more than the 300hp BMW X1 xDrive35i.
By Dan Mihalascu
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