German car manufacturer Audi has confirmed that it will launch the five-door coupe crossover Audi Q3 in India early next year.

The timing is perfect as the SUV will get maximum exposure at the Auto Expo in New Delhi to be held in early 2012.

It is quite possible that Audi will launch it at the Expo itself.

The price of the Audi Q3 is expected to remain around Rs 24 lakh (Rs 2.4 million).

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The Audi Q3 will be the third new offering in a row after the recently launched Audi A7 Sportback and Audi RS5 coupe on May 11 this year.

Let us know more about the ins and outs of Audi Q3. Currently, Audi has eleven offerings in India after the recent addition.

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Q3 is a compact SUV that first appeared worldwide in April 2011.

It is the smallest SUV by Audi and is hoped to be followed by a sibling Audi Q1 in the coming years.

In order to keep the cost down, Audi Q3 will be assembled in India at the German car maker's assembly plant at Aurangabad.

As per initial reports, the Q3 could have 170-hp, 1.8 liter petrol engine and a diesel driven 136-hp, 2L TDI engine.

All the engines will be mated to all wheel drive.

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Exterior

Audi Q3 is a car that is 'compact' for the sake of the word and dimensions only and it looks quite big from the outside.

The small size SUV is 4.39m long, 1.83m wide and 1.6m high which is in no way smaller in looks.

Besides, the Q3 is also lightweight and aerodynamic with a drag coefficient of only 0.32.

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Moreover, the Q3 has quite distinct Audi looks with the tornado line in place giving it a sleek and taut appearance.

Juxtaposed to BMW X1, that has massive look despite its small size, the Audi Q3 also in way look inferior to it.

Where the front of the X1 has kidney grille chrome and black verticals the Audi Q3 has a single frame grill at the front.

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Interior

Similar to the look-big exteriors, Q3 interior is spacious.

Ergonomically designed seats, wrap-around, hand, head rests make it more comfortable to ride.

Just as Audi gives preference to individual choice when it comes to interiors, Audi Q3 will also has variety of interior options available regarding the upholstery and material inside.

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However, the S line Audi Q3 sports version which is a special edition has all black interiors.

The 460 to 1,365 liters luggage compartment is ideal for sports and leisure.

The seats are adjustable with heating options.

The three-spoke leather steering wheel houses multimedia and other system controls on it.

Big color display inside in Q3 displays information. User-friendliness and comfort drive the instrumentation inside.

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Audi Q3 road ahead in India

Audi cars have well adapted themselves to the Indian road conditions.

No more the road cum potholes worries the German machines.

Prior to its launch, the Q3 will be conditioned to Indian road where the speed breakers have no size limit in the rural areas.

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Being equipped with off-road capabilities the Q3 would be put to test on Indian roads.

However, considering its engine, chassis and performance statistics, there is little doubt that it would easily adapt itself and would emerge as a close rival of BMW X1.

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BMW X1 and Audi Q3

Audi Q3 is in fact Audi's answer to BMW X1 in the luxury SUV segment.

Since its launch in 2009, BMW X1 has created its own space in India.

As per initial inferences, the Audi Q3 will be priced around Rs 24 lakh, two lakh rupees more than BMW X1.

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Beside the engine and specifications, there are some factors that would help Audi Q3 make India its home, in addition of being a new SUV in the market.

Both are identically sized, however the Q3 may have the four-wheel drive option compared to X1 which is a two-wheel drive car.