Audi has just revealed sales figures for the popular Q3 crossover over the last 12 months and in that time, the car has celebrated its most successful year.
Compared to 2012, sales of the Audi Q3 were up by 60 per cent to a total of 145,000 examples. In the first 10 months of 2014, sales increased by 30 per cent and according to experts, the Audi Q3 will continue to rise in popularity.
Director of global light vehicle production at IHS Automotive, Mark Fulthorpe said, “We are forecasting that the Q3 will grow by 40,000 units globally this year, due almost entirely to higher production in China. That would mean it would overtake BMW’s X1, where output is set to drop by about 20,000 this year as demand falls in Europe and the model heads towards the end of its life cycle.”
One particularly interesting point about Audi Q3 sales is that 2014 figures don’t include the facelifted 2015 model year Q3 range introduced in early November. From a styling standpoint, the 2015 Audi Q3 gets a new 3D effect Singleframe grille, revised bumpers and new look alloy wheels. Audi drive select now comes as standard as well. This adaptive dynamics system allows adjustments to key control systems including the optional damper control system.
Under the bonnet, two TDI clean diesel and three TFSI engines power the model range. The Q3 now boasts not just higher power outputs and improved fuel economy, but also CO2 reductions of as much as 17 per cent and compliance with EU6 emissions regulations. The most important addition is the 1.4-litre TFSI petrol engine with Cylinder-on-Demand technology. It gets 150 hp and the option of either manual or S tronic twin-clutch automatic transmission.
