Is Audi readying a cut-price Q3?

fx45 · 1st June 2013, 22:11

Mods. Couldnt find a suitable thread, so making a new one.

Just saw this on ACI forum. Spy pictures of what they say that even a more cheaper Q3 is in the works. If this turns out to be true, it will compete very well with the A-Class and the 1-series.

From the spy pics, I can only see the differences such as no LED DRL and really basic looking alloys. But isnt the base Audi Q3 variant doesnt come with DRLs?

Link here

shankar.balan · 1st June 2013, 22:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by fx45

Mods. Couldnt find a suitable thread, so making a new one.

Just saw this on ACI forum. Spy pictures of what they say that even a more cheaper Q3 is in the works. If this turns out to be true, it will compete very well with the A-Class and the 1-series.

From the spy pics, I can only see the differences such as no LED DRL and really basic looking alloys. But isnt the base Audi Q3 variant doesnt come with DRLs?

Link here

Am sure they will knock off the Quattro as well and strip it down to bare minimum levels. So that buyers get the 'look' of living the Q life but lack the substance of Audi's engineering...

mango_pal · 1st June 2013, 22:35

Maybe even a de-tuned version of the 2.0 litre diesel. Power would go down from 170 to 140/150 hp.

scopriobharath · 1st June 2013, 22:36

I wonder why Audi is doing this. Audi is already the number 1 in the luxury car market. Q3 is least disturbed by X1 and A/B 180.

What are they trying to achieve by having a cheaper Q3? If there is a cheaper Q3, Would the expected Q2 be in tune with A/B180?

S2!!! · 1st June 2013, 22:43

There is also a dark grey Q3 of the same spec with halogen DRLs that i spot often doing test rounds in south Bombay with the temp red plate. I never knew that this version wasn't available and always thought that it must be one of the dealership test drive cars.

I guess this car might have a feature list similar to a Passat trendline/ Jetta Comfortline, with the intention to lure buyers of the A-class and probably even the V40, until Audi brings in their A3/ A1 hatchback (if ever).

car_crazy1400 · 2nd June 2013, 10:08

Have been seeing this daily on Mahamaya Flyover in Noida at about 10:30 -11 am. In Black color & wearing red plates, on the opposite side of the road.

Have seen this about 4 times now.

Me thinks its a disguise for a q3 rebadged as Volkswagen.

JayPrashanth · 2nd June 2013, 10:09

Audi, in all probability, will launch the cut price version of the Q3 Crossover in the next few months. From what I have been gathering from Michael Perschke's tweets, the cut price Audi Q3 is expected to arrive with a 2 liter TDI engine and a front wheel driven layout.

In fact, Audi does have an international spec entry level Q3, with a 2 liter TDI engine in the 140 Bhp-320 Nm state of tune. That model is front wheel driven and has a six speed manual gearbox instead of the 7 speed DSG automatic. This combination will be just right to take on the A-Class and B-Class.

The BMW X1 is going to face plenty of heat too and as the CBU Volvo V40 could be priced close to 30 big ones instead of 20, even that crossover could come under plenty of pressure if Audi pulls the cut price Q3 move.

Currently, Audi is selling the Q3 in CBU form. The cut price model could take the CKD route. So, an entry price of about 24 lakhs is what methinks will make Audi the undisputed market leader in India by the end of 2013.

On a side note, BMW India seems to have finally woken up and smelt the coffee. BMW's organizing off road drives to demonstrate the performance of the X3, X5 and X6. One such drive is going on at Mumbai today. The event is similar to the StarDrive organized by Mercedes Benz and Audi's Q Drive.

Cheers,

Jay

vb-saan · 2nd June 2013, 15:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by shankar.balan

Am sure they will knock off the Quattro as well and strip it down to bare minimum levels. So that buyers get the 'look' of living the Q life but lack the substance of Audi's engineering...

IMO, this may give them a short-term advantage of better sales (against the other two German rivals), but I don’t think this strategy will be effective in the long-run. They actually need to do something to differentiate Audi brand from the likes of VW, Skoda and Seat. Something like a reserved engine range for Audi (similar to how they have S-tronic DSG box for Audi). Just for comparison, Toyota has clear differentiation between brand Lexus and Toyota. A Lexus buyer will never get a feeling that s/he is driving a jazzed up version of a Toyota model.

I mean, I don’t see anything positive with a stripped FWD Q3 in comparison with an AWD Skoda Yeti Elegance (other than the logo and the nameplates).

AdiSinghV12 · 2nd June 2013, 16:02

Hope they don't detune the engine. Something similar to what BMW did to the corporate edition 320d would certainly bring em new customers! Not a bad move IMO!

a4anurag · 2nd June 2013, 17:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by AdiSinghV12

Hope they don't detune the engine. Something similar to what BMW did to the corporate edition 320d would certainly bring em new customers! Not a bad move IMO!

I think Audi is thinking in the lines of plonking a detuned engine and kicking out features like sunroof, snazzy alloys and a basic FWD layout variant that would be in the ball park of 19-22 Lakhs.

Such moves will definitely moves customers who are thinking of purchasing a Jetta or a Superb.

Cheers,
Anurag.

Bluebeem · 2nd June 2013, 19:11

Inspite of all the raving reviews the Q3 has got, it is not doing the sales numbers Audi had expected because of its high price point. It's about 2-4 lacs higher than the A4 and X1. I don't think Audi is necessarily threatened by the X1 at all. The X1 has been a failure in terms of sales and it was no competition even when it was selling for 21 lacs.

This sounds like a great move to me ! Audi will use the same engine as the jetta/A4 which they're already assembling in India, strip the car out of some "luxury" features and boom! You'll have a Q3 for under 25-26 lacs. Audi has been pricing their products most aggressively compared to competition (including offering higher discounts) which has helped them reach No. 1. Audi have understood very well that a large number of Indians will go for the badge without caring what's under the hood as long as it looks good and feels good. The result is that Audi has the most underpowered car in most categories , A4, Q3, Q5, A6, A7 but its loaded with features and is offered at a lower price than competitions. The formula has worked brilliantly so far!

As it has been rightly pointed out in the thread, this is only good in the short term. In the long term Audi will obviously end up diluting significant brand equity by doing this just like it has done with the A4 which is by far the weakest engine in its bracket. Further Audi will end up having a lot of angry customers who bought the Q3 for 35 lacs ex showroom. I'm sure there's a sizeable chunk of them who only wanted the badge and would've settled for a base version if it were available.

fx45 · 2nd June 2013, 21:15

The on-road price of the Q3 (Correct me if I am wrong), current base variant goes close to Rs 40 lakh in Mumbai with the top-end variant crossing 45 lakh. Personally speaking, that's a bit too much to shed for such a small car no matter what the brand name is.

Maky · 2nd June 2013, 23:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by vb-san

IMO, this may give them a short-term advantage of better sales (against the other two German rivals), but I don’t think this strategy will be effective in the long-run. They actually need to do something to differentiate Audi brand from the likes of VW, Skoda and Seat. Something like a reserved engine range for Audi (similar to how they have S-tronic DSG box for Audi). Just for comparison, Toyota has clear differentiation between brand Lexus and Toyota. A Lexus buyer will never get a feeling that s/he is driving a jazzed up version of a Toyota model.

I mean, I don’t see anything positive with a stripped FWD Q3 in comparison with an AWD Skoda Yeti Elegance (other than the logo and the nameplates).

Do they really though?
I've always thought such things only mattered to us enthusiasts and the masses wouldn't notice the difference.
Most people I've across who've owned Audi cars have not once thought that they are driving a pimped VW ever only compare them to their direct rivals when car shopping.

9thsphinx · 3rd June 2013, 09:33

As much as a corporate-ed Q3 would make sense, Audi would never price this so-called detuned version below the 20L mark. They're already sitting at the No 1 spot selling their entire sedan and the SUV range in pretty good numbers. There's no reason for them to compete with the new A-class. IMO they're both different segments and they are both targeted or meant for different category of buyers.

shankar.balan · 3rd June 2013, 10:50

If the cut price Audi comes in around 20 L, then a number of potential Skoda and VW buyers will buzz off in that direction.
Plus, I am sure they would have thought of bringing in the VW Tiguan and other such vehicles one day. They will need to leave some gap between say the Yeti Elegance and the Q3 for the Tiguan to fit in. Also, one day they may bring the Q2, Q1 etc in, so they will require a small gap to play in and build relevance...

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9thsphinx

As much as a corporate-ed Q3 would make sense, Audi would never price this so-called detuned version below the 20L mark. They're already sitting at the No 1 spot selling their entire sedan and the SUV range in pretty good numbers. There's no reason for them to compete with the new A-class. IMO they're both different segments and they are both targeted or meant for different category of buyers.

1st June 2013, 22:11	#1
fx45 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: mumbai Posts: 1,823 Thanked: 387 Times	Is Audi readying a cut-price Q3? Mods. Couldnt find a suitable thread, so making a new one. Just saw this on ACI forum. Spy pictures of what they say that even a more cheaper Q3 is in the works. If this turns out to be true, it will compete very well with the A-Class and the 1-series. From the spy pics, I can only see the differences such as no LED DRL and really basic looking alloys. But isnt the base Audi Q3 variant doesnt come with DRLs? Link here Attached Thumbnails
	(2) Thanks

1st June 2013, 22:35	#3
mango_pal BHPian Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Bombay Posts: 182 Thanked: 287 Times	re: Is Audi readying a cut-price Q3? Maybe even a de-tuned version of the 2.0 litre diesel. Power would go down from 170 to 140/150 hp.
	(1) Thanks

1st June 2013, 22:36	#4
scopriobharath Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 3,622 Thanked: 1,342 Times	re: Is Audi readying a cut-price Q3? I wonder why Audi is doing this. Audi is already the number 1 in the luxury car market. Q3 is least disturbed by X1 and A/B 180. What are they trying to achieve by having a cheaper Q3? If there is a cheaper Q3, Would the expected Q2 be in tune with A/B180?
	(1) Thanks

1st June 2013, 22:43	#5
S2!!! Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,910 Thanked: 10,138 Times	re: Is Audi readying a cut-price Q3? There is also a dark grey Q3 of the same spec with halogen DRLs that i spot often doing test rounds in south Bombay with the temp red plate. I never knew that this version wasn't available and always thought that it must be one of the dealership test drive cars. I guess this car might have a feature list similar to a Passat trendline/ Jetta Comfortline, with the intention to lure buyers of the A-class and probably even the V40, until Audi brings in their A3/ A1 hatchback (if ever).
	(1) Thanks

2nd June 2013, 10:08	#6
car_crazy1400 BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: DL/UP16/PB10 Posts: 659 Thanked: 353 Times	Have been seeing this daily on Mahamaya Flyover in Noida at about 10:30 -11 am. In Black color & wearing red plates, on the opposite side of the road. Have seen this about 4 times now. Me thinks its a disguise for a q3 rebadged as Volkswagen.
	() Thanks

2nd June 2013, 10:09	#7
JayPrashanth Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Bangalore/Goa Posts: 1,341 Thanked: 2,262 Times	re: Is Audi readying a cut-price Q3? Audi, in all probability, will launch the cut price version of the Q3 Crossover in the next few months. From what I have been gathering from Michael Perschke's tweets, the cut price Audi Q3 is expected to arrive with a 2 liter TDI engine and a front wheel driven layout. In fact, Audi does have an international spec entry level Q3, with a 2 liter TDI engine in the 140 Bhp-320 Nm state of tune. That model is front wheel driven and has a six speed manual gearbox instead of the 7 speed DSG automatic. This combination will be just right to take on the A-Class and B-Class. The BMW X1 is going to face plenty of heat too and as the CBU Volvo V40 could be priced close to 30 big ones instead of 20, even that crossover could come under plenty of pressure if Audi pulls the cut price Q3 move. Currently, Audi is selling the Q3 in CBU form. The cut price model could take the CKD route. So, an entry price of about 24 lakhs is what methinks will make Audi the undisputed market leader in India by the end of 2013. On a side note, BMW India seems to have finally woken up and smelt the coffee. BMW's organizing off road drives to demonstrate the performance of the X3, X5 and X6. One such drive is going on at Mumbai today. The event is similar to the StarDrive organized by Mercedes Benz and Audi's Q Drive. Cheers, Jay
	(2) Thanks

2nd June 2013, 16:02	#9
AdiSinghV12 BHPian Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: BOM-CCU-PAT Posts: 678 Thanked: 1,406 Times	re: Is Audi readying a cut-price Q3? Hope they don't detune the engine. Something similar to what BMW did to the corporate edition 320d would certainly bring em new customers! Not a bad move IMO!
	() Thanks

2nd June 2013, 19:11	#11
Bluebeem BHPian Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Ludhiana Posts: 365 Thanked: 267 Times	Inspite of all the raving reviews the Q3 has got, it is not doing the sales numbers Audi had expected because of its high price point. It's about 2-4 lacs higher than the A4 and X1. I don't think Audi is necessarily threatened by the X1 at all. The X1 has been a failure in terms of sales and it was no competition even when it was selling for 21 lacs. This sounds like a great move to me ! Audi will use the same engine as the jetta/A4 which they're already assembling in India, strip the car out of some "luxury" features and boom! You'll have a Q3 for under 25-26 lacs. Audi has been pricing their products most aggressively compared to competition (including offering higher discounts) which has helped them reach No. 1. Audi have understood very well that a large number of Indians will go for the badge without caring what's under the hood as long as it looks good and feels good. The result is that Audi has the most underpowered car in most categories , A4, Q3, Q5, A6, A7 but its loaded with features and is offered at a lower price than competitions. The formula has worked brilliantly so far! As it has been rightly pointed out in the thread, this is only good in the short term. In the long term Audi will obviously end up diluting significant brand equity by doing this just like it has done with the A4 which is by far the weakest engine in its bracket. Further Audi will end up having a lot of angry customers who bought the Q3 for 35 lacs ex showroom. I'm sure there's a sizeable chunk of them who only wanted the badge and would've settled for a base version if it were available.
	(1) Thanks

2nd June 2013, 21:15	#12
fx45 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: mumbai Posts: 1,823 Thanked: 387 Times	re: Is Audi readying a cut-price Q3? The on-road price of the Q3 (Correct me if I am wrong), current base variant goes close to Rs 40 lakh in Mumbai with the top-end variant crossing 45 lakh. Personally speaking, that's a bit too much to shed for such a small car no matter what the brand name is.
	(1) Thanks

3rd June 2013, 09:33	#14
9thsphinx Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ahmedabad Posts: 1,121 Thanked: 549 Times View My Garage	re: Is Audi readying a cut-price Q3? As much as a corporate-ed Q3 would make sense, Audi would never price this so-called detuned version below the 20L mark. They're already sitting at the No 1 spot selling their entire sedan and the SUV range in pretty good numbers. There's no reason for them to compete with the new A-class. IMO they're both different segments and they are both targeted or meant for different category of buyers.
	(1) Thanks