[srgntpepper]

How different are the AWD systems in the Yeti and the Q3 Dynamic?

[mobike008]

Originally Posted by Carpainter

I feel the price difference is not worth paying. And coming back to the post I think you must have had a thrilling experience.

Well, for customers shortlisting the Premium + variant. It certainly makes sense to go for Dynamics variant by adding the extra money

Originally Posted by Carpainter

The mere pictures of those angles makes me feel afraid. I'm no off road expert either and so doing those inclines and all in this small suv which is not designed for off roading is a bit scary isn't it?

Originally Posted by shijinpr

we were really scared in the beginning, especially on those steep inclines. At the top of this through windshield you only see the sky. However the confidence these machines transpires is beyond words. The Quattro is in full control and you merely manipulate the steering and light throttle.

Originally Posted by saneguy

Those pics look simply amazing. Gives a clear idea of what has actually been done on the off-roading track.With the Audi Drive Select not being as effective - rather lets says not as noticeable the 50% price difference from base variant seems a far stretch!

It's not really such a small SUV and actually due to shorter overhang say compared to a Q7, its much easier to do offroading in the Q3. As Shijinpr correctly mentioned,some inclines you dont have any view except the clear blue sky and you just have to breath deeply and use the steering and throttle carefully to manevour the car over the incline, its a different feeling for sure and quite satisfying I must say (after crossing such obstacles, ofcourse )

Originally Posted by srgntpepper

How different are the AWD systems in the Yeti and the Q3 Dynamic?

I havent driven the Yeti so cannot really compare. Both are AWD vehicles with different power ratings, suspensions and Q3 is equipped with the famed Quattro so Iam assuming it will be a better performer in comparison

Originally Posted by human_wheels

The Bangalore showroom guy told me otherwise and also ndtvauto review says the same thing here.

I was briefed by Audi team differently that only this top-end version gets the Audi Drive Select. Let me clarify with Audi team and reconfirm back on this thread.

[nitinbose]

The interesting part is that these vehicles do well in such tracks but in the Indian roads is yet to be seen where there are lots of unforeseen circumstances one can encounter.

These are trying times when one would expect the vehicle to be rugged.

[.anshuman]

Originally Posted by srgntpepper

How different are the AWD systems in the Yeti and the Q3 Dynamic?

Originally Posted by mobike008

I havent driven the Yeti so cannot really compare. Both are AWD vehicles with different power ratings, suspensions and Q3 is equipped with the famed Quattro so Iam assuming it will be a better performer in comparison

Q3 and Yeti have the same Haldex AWD system, which works exactly the same. It is different than the Torsen AWD system used for more expensive Audi cars. Though both the systems are badged Quattro.

Even the engine is same with different power outputs(same 140hp output Q3 Manual). Even the suspension components are mostly same, with different spring and damper rates.

[srgntpepper]

Originally Posted by .anshuman

Q3 and Yeti have the same Haldex AWD system, which works exactly the same.
Even the engine is same with different power outputs(same 140hp output Q3 Manual). Even the suspension components are mostly same, with different spring and damper rates.

You are right. Here's a list of vehicles using the Haldex system :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haldex_...ith_Haldex_AWD

Suddenly makes the Yeti look like a bargain, doesnt it?

[PrideRed]

Originally Posted by .anshuman

Q3 and Yeti have the same Haldex AWD system, which works exactly the same. It is different than the Torsen AWD system used for more expensive Audi cars. Though both the systems are badged Quattro.

Even the engine is same with different power outputs(same 140hp output Q3 Manual). Even the suspension components are mostly same, with different spring and damper rates.

Well the state of tune is different in Q3 Dynamic version compared to Yeti. This results in extra 60Nm of torque which should play a significant role. Also Q3 comes equipped with DSG which should make life easier. But yes again I am not quite sure the price difference that Q3 Dynamic commands.

[Amarendranath]

Those clear lens look Stunning!! Thanks for the detailed review. I always use to wonder how come the bottoms do not get scraped while off-roading on such steep angles.

[W.A.G.7]

Nice! I liked this car very much from the onset itself. Beautiful dimensions and well sculpted lines. More than the DQ200 box, I would however have loved to see a manual gearbox in this car. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful review.

[human_wheels]

@W.A.G.7 - Q3 S with manual gearbox in FWD format and lesser state of tune was launched more than a year ago in India.

[prashant316]

Its a great review. But with all due respect, i disagree that Quattro provides leech like grip. Frankly i feel, Mercedes-Benz's 4Matic does a much better job. Quattro is completely mechanical while 4Matic is electrical. Hence, providing for much quicker response and adaptability.
Though the discussion may fall flat because GLA does not come in 4Matic (yet). In the segment automatically Q3 becomes the more grippier off-roader.

[.anshuman]

Originally Posted by prashant316

Its a great review. But with all due respect, i disagree that Quattro provides leech like grip. Frankly i feel, Mercedes-Benz's 4Matic does a much better job. Quattro is completely mechanical while 4Matic is electrical. Hence, providing for much quicker response and adaptability.
Though the discussion may fall flat because GLA does not come in 4Matic (yet). In the segment automatically Q3 becomes the more grippier off-roader.

The original point "Leech like Grip" is carried forward from the older review of Q3 which i compiled. Yes i agree, the grip levels are not in league of a true blue Quattro system you would experience in a RS5 or R8, but for a car of this class even with the Haldex type system i found the grip levels to be impressive and worthy of this mention.

Not all cars with Either 4matic or Quattro badge have the same or similar all wheel drive system.

Although GLA does not come with 4matic in India(GLA45 AMG will have it), the AWD system used for GLA lineup(along with other A class based fwd cars) is similar to the Haldex system used for Q3(and Skoda Yeti) being a front wheel drive tranversely mounted engines based system, transferring almost all of the power to front wheels in normal conditions and changing the power split only when slip is anticipated/detected.

In both the systems (and most other similar setups) it is the electronics mostly through ESP and Traction control sensors trigger the change in power split. The difference can be how in how power split happens, either with clutch pack or through fluids. In most of the newer cars with AWD systems, it is the electronics which do the decision process, and results are impressive. The seamless way in which the torque is diverted is fantastic.

My own car- XUV AWD (though a Desi Mahindra) has a Borg Warner ITM AWD system( also available in Santa Fe). Not even experienced drivers can tell when the power is diverted to the rear wheels, the only indicator is sound of wheelspin from rear axle(in the rough) and occasional Traction Control light.

From the recent launches its only one AWD system i did not find impressive. It is the Rexton MT's Torque on Demand system (default in 4H mode), not only the actuation Jerky, it's also unpredictable and nowhere as smart. It uses one of the older Borg Warner systems.

[prashant316]

Originally Posted by .anshuman

The original point "Leech like Grip" is carried forward from the older review of Q3 which i compiled. Yes i agree, the grip levels are not in league of a true blue Quattro system you would experience in a RS5 or R8, but for a car of this class even with the Haldex type system i found the grip levels to be impressive and worthy of this mention.

Although GLA does not come with 4matic in India(GLA45 AMG will have it), the AWD system used for GLA lineup(along with other A class based fwd cars) is similar to the Haldex system used for Q3(and Skoda Yeti) being a front wheel drive tranversely mounted engines based system, transferring almost all of the power to front wheels in normal conditions and changing the power split only when slip is anticipated/detected.

From the recent launches its only one AWD system i did not find impressive. It is the Rexton MT's Torque on Demand system (default in 4H mode), not only the actuation Jerky, it's also unpredictable and nowhere as smart. It uses one of the older Borg Warner systems.

Yes, no denying this Q3's grip is worth mentioning, especially considering that it is the only AWD in its segment (GLA45 would be a separate segment altogether).

Also, GLA45, CLA45 and A45 use the 4Matic in a completely different manner to ML, GL, ML63 and GL63. The mentioned 45's are all FWD's under normal circumstances with the car deciding when to divert power to the rear wheels as well, while the others are AWD's.

Rexton is disappointing surely. It uses the same technology that the first generation ML used. Hence, basically running on a almost 15 year old technology. On a whole the Rexton is completely the first Gen ML with a Ssanyong badge. Even their steering wheels are similar!

[himanshugoswami]

Avi, do I hazard a guess and say that thi sis what will pursuade you to look at an SUV?

BTW, great review. did you do the obstacle course or was that done by the Audi official drivers.

[microaubin]

Originally Posted by mobike008

Honestly, there is hardly any difference felt between 'comfort' & 'dynamic' modes. The layman will be hard pressed to notice any change at all. Only perhaps on bad roads will the dynamic mode's stiffness be felt at low speeds, but the variance isn't substantial (as you'd expect). There's no significant improvement in handling either. Whatever marginal improvement is there, it'll not be noticed by most drivers. The Q3's 'Drive Select' system is a good feature to brag about, although there's no real-world advantage to it. Most drivers will prefer keeping it in 'comfort' mode only. Is it worth the price premium then? No ways.

Maybe is it because its an SUV? I own an A4 in which the difference is really noticeable especially on butter smooth twisty roads where the change is also felt by the other passengers. In Dynamic mode the suspension and steering stiffens and there is also a noticeable exhaust note change. Push to sports mode and it gets even better.

Auto mode is practically useless as it puts off your concentration and driving style due the constant change between the modes.

[mobike008]

Originally Posted by prashant316

Its a great review. But with all due respect, i disagree that Quattro provides leech like grip. Frankly i feel, Mercedes-Benz's 4Matic does a much better job. Quattro is completely mechanical while 4Matic is electrical. Hence, providing for much quicker response and adaptability. Though the discussion may fall flat because GLA does not come in 4Matic (yet). In the segment automatically Q3 becomes the more grippier off-roader.

Anshuman clarified regarding the leech like grip mention. Myself being a newbie to offroading was expecting the car to slide and swish around a lot when going over the obstacles but, the grip was phenomenal. There was absolutely no drama of wheelspin, losing traction or such during my entire 2 rounds of the obstacle course and it went over it like i was driving on straight tarmac

Originally Posted by himanshugoswami

Avi, do I hazard a guess and say that thi sis what will pursuade you to look at an SUV?

BTW, great review. did you do the obstacle course or was that done by the Audi official drivers.

Himanshu, SUV of these category are ofcourse a pleasure to drive but, if the question is whether iam completely bowled over it? No, I think not really

The pictures that you see in the review are of myself driving the Audi Q3 Dynamics and it was truly a spectacular experience and scared me off my wits during the intial few minutes of offroading

Originally Posted by microaubin

Maybe is it because its an SUV? I own an A4 in which the difference is really noticeable especially on butter smooth twisty roads where the change is also felt by the other passengers. In Dynamic mode the suspension and steering stiffens and there is also a noticeable exhaust note change. Push to sports mode and it gets even better.

Auto mode is practically useless as it puts off your concentration and driving style due the constant change between the modes.

That could really be possible as the I drove the Aud Q3 Dynamics during the offroad event, racetrack and even drove it on normal roads for about 40kms while getting a drop back to Airport and I was continously switching from Dynamic to Comfort mode and as you said the steering feel is immediately felt but, suspension feel wasn't so pronounced