The Audi SQ7 has been with us since 2015 and with a heavily 2^nd facelifted model just around the corner, we spent some time with a 2024 SQ7 to reacquaint ourselves with the luxury SUV before the new one arrives.

While the updated model brings aesthetic and tech upgrades to the luxury SUV, its mechanical bits remain unchanged.

In the SQ7, that means a force-fed 4.0-litre petrol V8 pumping out an adrenalin inducing 373kW at 5,500rpm and a muscly 770Nm of torque. And in an era of electrification, the non-hybridised V8 is rare as a hen’s teeth!

But even at the ripe old age of eight, the SQ7 still feels like the posh SUV that it is.

How much is the Audi SQ7 TFSI?

The flagship SQ7 isn’t cheap as you’d expect, wearing a price tag of $175,400 before on-road costs. That’s $38,200 more than the Q7 55 TFSI S Line below it.

The good news is, however, it’s $4,500 cheaper than the Mercedes-Benz GLE53 AMG which costs $179,900 yet comes with considerably less power at 320kW/560Nm.

On the flip side, you could head into a BMW showroom and drive away in the BMW X5 M60i for just $172,900. It’s also slightly more powerful at 390kW/750Nm.

Like the SQ7, the X5 M60i comes with a turbocharged V8 while the GLE53 AMG employs a twin-turbo V6.

On the inside

The SQ7 gets the same cabin as the regular Q7, which was comprehensively overhauled a few years ago. It feels plush and tech heavy the moment you pull the vault like door shut.

Compared to the Q7, you get fancier sports seats and a flat-bottom steering wheel. Our test car is also equipped with the $13,300 Sensory Package, which amongst others, adds leather to the upper dashboard and artificial leather to the lower interior elements for a properly upmarket touch.

The one-piece sports seats with quilted stitching are very comfortable indeed, with an excellent blend of comfort and support, and complete with adjustable bolsters to hold you snugly in place in the corners.

Cabin space is vast with plenty of room for even lofty driver and passengers. There are big door bins capable of swallowing large water bottles and plenty of storage space in the bin underneath the front centre armrest.

Rear seat space is equally generous, thanks to the rear seats that slide back and forth, as well as recline. However, the big, high-backed front seats do impede visibility for those behind.

There is surprisingly decent space in the third row although you wouldn’t call it generous. Interestingly, the third-row seats don’t get the exquisite diamond-quilting for the leather you’ll find in the first two rows. They also miss out on air vents, which won’t win fans on a hot summer day.

Even with all seven seats in use, the SQ7 still provides around 300L of boot space which is better than some rivals. Folding them away via a boot mounted button yield an impressive 704L of space.

By comparison, the BMW X5 manages only 650L, while the related but five-seat Porsche Cayenne yields 770L. It’s worth noting however the SQ7 is still 150L down on the standard SQ7.

Drop the second row and you essentially turn the SQ7 into a leather-lined van with a massive 2,050L on offer.

The heavy mid-life overhaul has done wonders to disguise the SQ7’s age, with two giant screens for infotainment and climate control. The upper screen takes care of navigation, music, as well as connected internet functions, while the lower screen looks after heating and cooling.

Both offer slick graphics, responsive inputs, as well as a satisfying haptic click with each press of a button to make it easier to use.

As we have mentioned many times before, Audi’s digital instruments is still one of the best in the business with beautiful presentation and configurability.

And while most of the cabin is beautifully finished with excellent fit and finish, the grey leather on the bolsters of our media car is a little faded after around 10,000km on the test fleet.

What’s under the bonnet?

Audi has replaced the turbo-diesel with a 4.0-litre turbocharged V8 petrol.

It pumps out 373kW of power and 770Nm of torque and is the same engine found under the Bentley Bentayga. It will hurl the large SUV from 0-100km/h in a mere 4.1 seconds –  that’s serious hot-hatch territory.

Power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission and quattro system with a self-locking centre differential and default 60:40 rear: front torque split.

Depending on the road conditions, up to 70 percent of the engine’s torque can be directed to the front axle, and 85 percent to the rear axle.

The SQ7 has an 85-litre fuel tank that requires 95 RON premium unleaded fuel. Combined fuel consumption is rated at 12.1L/100km.

What’s the Audi SQ7 like to drive?

The SQ7 is impressively fast yet comfortable. It’s also surprisingly agile in corners for a large and heavy SUV.

It turns into corners with the sort of sharpness that puts some hot hatches to shame, and the harder and faster you push, the SQ7 will somehow muster more grip to pull you through to the next straight. It does a great job at disguising how high the centre of gravity is.

There are tonnes of torque from pretty much off idle, although you can’t run the engine past the limiter as the gearbox will automatically shift-up, regardless of which drive mode you’re in.

Given the prod, the petrol V8 appears to make all the right kind of epic noises, but you soon realise that most of it comes from the 17-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, which is slightly disappointing.

Still, the transmission is smooth and well calibrated, kicking down decisively while releasing a satisfying crackle from the exhausts.

The brakes are pretty good, too, although we find it hard to justify $19,500 for the ceramic brakes on our tester unless you intend to hit the track regularly.

Around town, the ride is exquisitely sublime, with the standard air suspension ironing out most road bumps effectively. The suspension can be electronically raise or lower, too, depending on the drive mode. It will also drop the car to the ground when parked for easy entry and exit.

Refinement is excellent, too, with just a hint of road noise on coarse-chip bitumen thanks to the chunky performance rubbers, while wind noise is nearly non-existence.

Despite measuring over 5.0m long, the SQ7 rear wheel steering effectively shrinks the car by a good margin, making tight inner city manoeuvre a breeze.

We can’t fault the SQ7 on the active driver assistance front. The adaptive cruise control operates smoothly and maintains a set gap to the car in front. It will also accelerate automatically after coming to a stop when the car in front moves on.

The lane-keep assist system isn’t overly intrusive either, intervening only when things go haywire.

What do you get with the SQ7?

As standard, the SQ7 comes with the following:

• S-specific front and rear bumpers, grille, side sills and rear tailgate spoiler
• 22-inch alloy wheels
• Red brake calipers
• Aluminium-look mirror caps
• Matrix LED laser headlights with dynamic rear indicators
• Panoramic sunroof
• Rear privacy glass
• Heated and folding side mirrors
• Power assisted door closure
• Roof rails
• Valcona leather upholstery with diamond patterned contrasting stitching
• S sport front seats with heating and electric adjustment, incl. 4-way lumbar
• Heated steering wheel
• Interior ambient lighting
• Illuminated door sill trims
• 10.1-inch haptic touchscreen
• 8.6-inch haptic touch secondary screen
• 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit
• Head-up display
• Built-in satellite navigation
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• 17-speaker, 730-watt Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system
• 4-zone climate control

Options highlight:

Dynamic Package:

• Quattro sport differential
• Active roll stabilisation

Sensory Package:

• 23-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D Advanced Sound System
• Dinamica black headlining
• Front seat ventilation and massage function
• Seat heating for outer rear seats
• Extended leather package – upper dashboard in leather and lower interior elements in artificial leather
• Air quality package – air ioniser and fragrance

How safe is the Audi SQ7?

The SQ7 carries a five-star safety rating from ANCAP based on test conducted in 2019 on the regular Q7.

Standard safety equipment includes:

• Autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with:
  • Vehicle and pedestrian detection
  • Reverse AEB
• Adaptive cruise control with stop & go
• Traffic jam assist
• Lane keep assist
• Blind-spot assist
• Rear-cross traffic assist
• Surround view cameras
• Tyre pressure monitor

Ownership

The SQ7 comes with a five-year, unlimited kilometre warranty.

Servicing is required every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first, with a five-year prepaid service package costing $4,370.

Verdict

The post 2024 Audi SQ7 TFSI Review – A practical hot-SUV appeared first on ForceGT.com.

The new Audi RS 3 is quite possibly the last ICE (Internal Combustion Engined) RS 3 before some sort of electrification is introduced in the next generation model. For this final ICE send off, Audi has thrown in everything it has got to make this the fastest, sharpest and baddest RS 3 ever.

At the heart of the RS 3 is of course the iconic five-cylinder engine. Already a beast in the outgoing model, the 2.5-litre turbo TFSI engine has been tweaked further in this new model to wring out another 20Nm of torque. It now peaks 500Nm, sustained between 2,250 and 5,600rpm. Peak power is unchanged at 294kW, but available earlier than before at 5,600rom and extends over a broader plateau to 7,000 rpm.

As a result, the new RS 3 sprints from zero to 100 km/h in supercar-slaying 3.8 seconds. Top speed is limited to 250 km/h, but 280 km/h is possible through an optional upgrade. With the RS Dynamic package and ceramic brakes, it can even crack 290 km/h. This makes the Audi RS 3 the best in its class in terms of acceleration and top speed.

As with before, 7-speed dual-clutch transmission sends power to the road with the aid of Quattro all-wheel drive. But new is the torque splitter equipped as standard across all RS 3 models. It replaces the rear axle differential and the previous multiple disc clutch package on the rear axle. Instead, an electronically controlled multiple disc clutch is used on each of the drive shafts to more precisely vary torque distribution at the rear axle. During hard cornering, the torque splitter increases the drive torque to the respective outer rear wheel with the higher wheel load, which significantly reduces understeer. In left-hand curves, it transmits the drive torque to the right rear wheel, in right-hand curves to the left rear wheel, and when driving straight ahead to both wheels.

The new torque splitter also makes controlled drifts on closed-off tracks possible – in this case, the torque splitter directs all of the power to only one of the rear wheels. Audi even developed a driving mode specifically for the RS 3 for this purpose – ‘RS Torque Rear’ – as a drift mode with its own characteristic curve for the torque splitter.

The RS Performance mode, created specifically for the racetrack, is another new drive mode that is precisely tailored to the semi-slick tyres that are, for the very first time, available for the RS 3 as a factory option.

The drive modes can be selected via the Audi drive select driving dynamics system, which also offers the following profiles: comfort, auto, dynamic, RS Individual, and efficiency.

The RS 3 comes standard-equipped with larger and newly developed six-piston steel brakes to keep the power of the five-cylinder engine in check. A ceramic brake system measuring 380 by 38 mm is optionally available on the front axle. Those who opt for the ceramic brakes can choose between gray, red, or blue brake calipers, while those who prefer the steel version can order red calipers instead of the black ones.

In terms of design, the new Audi RS 3 looks even more dynamic and powerful than that of its predecessor. In the front, the wide RS bumper, the redesigned Singleframe with its distinctive honeycomb grille, and the large air intakes give the compact sports car an aggressive look.

The RS 3 comes standard with flat, wedge-shaped LED headlights and LED taillights including dynamic turn signal lights. Matrix LED headlights are available as an option, with darkened bezels that feature digital daytime running lights around their outer downturned angles. With its pixel field of 3 x 5 LED segments, it provides an unmistakable look – a checkered flag appears in the left headlight as a dynamic leaving and coming home scene, and the RS 3 lettering appears on the driver’s side. When driving, the checkered flag lights up on both sides.

There is also a new design element behind the front wheel arches: an air outlet. The rocker panels with black trim have also been redesigned and, in combination with the flared wheel arches, contribute to the dynamic look of the new RS 3. The front axle track has been widened by 33 millimetres compared to the previous model. On the Sportback, the rear axle track has increased by ten millimeters. The RS 3 is standard-equipped with 19-inch cast wheels in a 10-Y spoke design. True racing design is embodied by the optionally available 5 Y spokes with RS branding. Audi will also mount Pirelli P Zero ‘Trofeo R’ performance semi-slick tires for the first time, if desired.

The motorsports-inspired finishing touches include the redesigned RS-specific rear bumper with integrated diffuser and the RS exhaust system with two large oval tailpipes.

The new Audi RS 3 models can be ordered in two exclusive RS colors: Kyalami green and Kemora gray. The roof of the Sedan can also be ordered in the contrasting color Brilliant black for the first time. Individual exterior features, such as the honeycomb grille in the Singleframe, come standard in black – either in a matte or high-gloss finish.

On the inside, The RS 3 gets a range of bespoke RS touches. The displays appear in the standard 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit plus digital driving instrumentation cluster. It displays the rpms in the form of a bar graph and shows power and torque as percentages. Optionally, the rpm display is available in the new ‘RS Runway’ design. In this case, the values are displayed in the opposite direction in a manner that visually resembles an airplane runway – the highest speed in the foreground and the lowest speed in the background. In addition, the Audi virtual cockpit plus includes displays for g-forces, lap times and acceleration from 0 100 km/h, 0-200 km/h, quarter mile, and eighth of a mile.

The 10.1-inch touchscreen centre display includes what is referred to as the ‘RS Monitor,’ which displays the coolant, engine, and transmission oil temperatures as well as tire pressures. Also available for the first time for the Audi RS 3 is a head-up display.

The genuine racing feeling is further enhanced by the carbon-fiber instrument panel and RS sport seats with RS embossing and anthracite contrast stitching. The seat upholstery is optionally available in fine Nappa leather with RS honeycomb stitching and glossy black, red, or, for the first time, green contrast stitching. RS Design packages in red and green are available to match. They include special floor mats with contrast stitching and RS embroidery, as well as seatbelts with colored edges. The Design package plus includes seat corners in red or green and a colored accents on the air vents.

The new Audi RS 3 Sportback and RS 3 Sedan is expected to arrive in Australia in the first half of 2022. Further information on pricing and specfiication details will be announced closer to launch.

The post 2022 Audi RS 3: Everything You Need to Know appeared first on ForceGT.com.

Got a baby on the way and it’s time for the sports coupe to make way for a family car, but think the SUV is too bland, too domesticated, too cookie butter? Fortunately, there’s this thing called SUV coupe. Although we don’t quite agree with its name, we see the point.

Let’s be honest, the SUV concept is getting a bit long in the tooth. The streets are choked full of them and every second neighbour has one. Time to stand out, don’t you think?

The so-called SUV coupe combines the practicality of an SUV with the stylish silhouette of a coupe. Well, that’s the intent at least. Few SUV coupes managed to get it right and one of them is the Audi Q3 Sportback.

Tested here in range-opening Q3 Sportback 35 TFSI S line guise, it’s priced from $49,900 plus on-road costs, a $3,000 premium over its SUV-body counterpart. Our tester came fitted with just two optional extras – a set of 19-inch 20-spoke part-polished alloy wheels ($500) and special “Pulse Orange” solid paint ($600). This brings the final sticker to $51,000 before ORCs.

On the outside

While the bright exterior paint work may not be to everyone’s taste, the Q3 Sportback is no doubt one of the better-looking players in this segment. It ought to be, as style is important in this class, which includes entries like the BMW X2, Mercedes-Benz GLA and Lexus UX. In fact, the Audi is the only true coupe-inspired SUV in the competition, with a proper coupe-ish roofline and rear haunches.

It’s hard to tell that the Q3 Sportback shares headlights, taillights, front bumper and majority of the lower body with the regular Q3, but it does. And yet it looks like it’s been designed from the ground up as a coupe-style SUV.

There’s the usual Audi signature design elements like the singleframe grille, boxed wheel arches and stretched glass house, complemented by more athletic looking front and rear bumpers and side skirts that are all Sportback specific.

The Q3 Sportback is 22mm longer and 60mm lower than the standard Q3. Both cars share the same width and wheelbase of 1856mm and 2677mm respectively. As expected from an SUV more focused on aesthetic, ground clearance is slightly poorer in the Sportback at 183mm, compared to the Q3’s 191mm.

On the inside

Audi’s reign in interior design continues with the Q3. If you’re a fan of ultra-modern and contemporary interiors, The Q3 is for you.

Both the regular and Sportback variants share the same interior design, which features a minimalist yet functional dashboard. Centre to the driver-orientated cockpit is a super high clarity 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display Audi calls ‘Virtual Cockpit’. The edge-to-edge LCD display is the most customisable in the business – you can even shrink the driving gauges and have a full map view right there in the driving binnacle. Such amazing are those graphics that you’d never want to look at a conventional instrument cluster again.

Complementing the Virtual Cockpit is a 10.1-inch Audi MMI infotainment centre display that is seamlessly integrated into the dashboard’s piano black trim. It’s now a touch screen, which means the rotary dial formerly in the centre console is now gone. Do we miss the dial? Not the slightest because the new touch screen is incredibly responsive to the touch, made easier to use with support for smartphone-like gesture such as swipe and pinch motions. Like the Virtual Cockpit, the display’s clarity and richness are just next level stuff. It’s also angled slightly toward the driver for easy reach.

Things rarely go backwards in an Audi, but strangely the previous voice command feature seems to register inputs better. The new one struggles a little with address entry. But what it lacks in hearing ability, it makes up for in the sense of touch.

Remember we used to be able to write alphabets in that little touchpad just next to the old rotary knob? Like the knob, the touchpad is gone, but the ability to recognise handwriting isn’t. Instead of the touchpad, you can now use the whole centre touchscreen to scribble anything from address entry to function search. It works, and way quicker and easier than writing on a touchpad.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, so are DAB+ digital radio and in-built satellite navigation. There are 2 USB outlets in front and another 2 in the rear. Also equipped are keyless entry and start, electric tailgate, and rear-view camera. Disappointingly for a premium vehicle, auto folding function isn’t included for the side mirrors.

Typical of an Audi, the interior is flawlessly finished with top notch perceived quality. The gloss black trim on the dashboard is deep and rich, the polished aluminium trim inserts are nice and the stitching on the leather seats is neat and precise.

That said, there’s still a bit of Volkswagen-ish in the lower centre console where the plastics are hard and dull, and the cup holders lack a sliding cover over them.

In terms of space, both the driver and front passenger enjoy good leg and headroom. Where things get a bit tight is in the back, and it’s a compromise for having that sleek, sloping roof line. Rear passengers, especially lofty ones, will find headroom lacking, but more than that, the rear seat base doesn’t extend all the way to the door. Instead, a narrow storage tub sits between the edge of the seat and the door. Three adults seated in the back will be an intimate affair.

Boot space, meanwhile, is listed at 530 litres, which isn’t bad at all for this class. With the 40/20/40 split rear seats folded, the space expands to a voluminous 1400 litres.

Under the skin

The 35 TFSI model is the entry point into the Q3 Sportback range, powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 110kW and 250Nm. The engine is mated to a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and drives the front wheels.

While the Q3 Sportback 35 TFSI’s 0 to 100km/h sprint time of 9.3 seconds isn’t much to shout about, there’s certainly more than enough pull to get through the daily grind. Peak torque arrives at a low 1500rpm and remains on tap until 3500rpm, giving it good grunt from the get-go.

The six-speed auto shifts quickly and cleanly, but is a tad slow to react and drop a few gears when you plant your foot on the throttle. This can catch you off guard when you’re trying to overtake. Also evident at times is that slight hesitation in first gear roll off around stop start traffic, a typical trait of dual clutch boxes.

On the road

Does the Sportback live up to its name of being the better handling Q3 variant? Yes, it does. At 60mm lower in height compared to the standard Q3, the Sportback benefits from a lower centre of gravity. More than that, it also gets tauter suspension tune.

The driving feel is one that matches its athletic looks. There’s very little roll around corners, the nose turns in eagerly and the steering is sharp and accurate. Granted, there’s no quattro all-wheel drive in the 35 TFSI but grip level is still remarkable – you just have to be gentle with the right pedal to avoid breaking front wheel traction in the wet.

The sportier suspension lets you feel the road just right, without compromising ride comfort too much. It’s smooth on city roads and not too jarring on broken surfaces. It’s very quiet on the inside, too, with noticeably less wind noise than boxier, less aerodynamically shaped SUV.

Our tester isn’t fitted with the optional two-stage adaptive dampers but given how nicely balanced the Q3 Sportback’s ride and handling is, we feel it isn’t necessary.

In the long run

Audi claims the Q3 Sportback 35 TFSI consumes 7.3L/100km of premium RON95 unleaded fuel on the combined cycle. At the end of our weeklong test the trip computer returned a reading of 7.9L/100km, which admittedly involved a few stints of heavy-footed driving. For an SUV with sporty intentions, it’s a commendable figure.

Cruising at legal freeway speeds the Sportback’s fuel use hovered around 5.5L/100km, which is pretty good as well.

Like many premium brands these days, Audi Australia also offers a capped price servicing plan. Called the Audi Genuine Care Service Plan, the plan covers your servicing needs for three years/45,000km for $1,610, or five years/75,000km for $2,630. Servicing interval is set at every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.

• READ MORE: Audi Q3 Sportback 45 TFSI Review

Verdict

2021 Audi Q3 Sportback 35 TFSI Price and Specification

Competitors: BMW X2, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Lexus UX, Range Rover Evoque, Volvo XC40

The post 2021 Audi Q3 Sportback 35 TFSI Review appeared first on ForceGT.com.

The fifth generation Audi A4 has just been given its first major update since the model’s launch back in 2016, bringing updated exterior styling, improved infotainment system, and new mild-hybrid powertrains.

Tweaks to the exterior have brought the A4 styling more inline with the rest of the Audi family, with the single frame grille now wider and lower, and the headlamps and taillights featuring more evocative light cluster design. The shoulder lines have also been updated to better emphasis the wheel arches.

The interior has the usual Audi business-like ambiance, with the biggest change being the new 10.1-inch Audi MMI infotainment system. The revised system is now a touch screen that supports smartphone-like swipe and pinch motions.

Other standard fitment include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, wireless phone charging pad, and the very impressive Audi Virtual Cockpit fully digital driving instrumentation cluster.

The 2021 Audi A4 45 TFSI S Line model tested here is the flagship model in the standard A4 range, with propulsion coming from a 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine producing 183kW of power at 6000rpm and 370Nm of torque from 1600-4500rpm. It’s matched with a 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission and Audi Quattro all-wheel drive.

In typical Audi efficiency, the A4 45 TFSI is capable of sprinting from 0 to 100km/h in a spritely 5.8 seconds (claimed), while having an average fuel consumption figure of just 7.1L/100km (claimed). Our tested average is a little higher at 8.5L/100km but it is still a respectable figure for a mid-size sports sedan thanks to the mild-hybrid technology where the engine shuts off on idle and when cruising on low load.

For the full review, watch our detailed full-length video review above.

2021 Audi A4 Sedan 45 TFSI S Line Price and Specification

Competitors: BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C Class, Lexus IS, Jaguar XE, Volvo S60, Genesis G70, Alfa Romeo Giulia

The post 2021 Audi A4 Sedan 45 TFSI Video Review appeared first on ForceGT.com.

The all-new Audi S3 Sportback and S3 Sedan have been officially revealed today, bringing improved performance and technologies as well fresh new styling. Here are some quick facts:

Powertrain

The new 2.0-litre turbocharged TFSI petrol engine that powers both the S3 variants produces 228 kW (310 PS) and 400 Nm of torque, 15 kW and 20Nm more than the previous-generation S3. Driving all four-wheels via Audi quattro and seven-speed dual clutch S tronic gearbox, the sprint from 0-100km/h is despatched in just 4.8 seconds, which despite the slight increase in power output, is identical to before.

Chassis

The new S3 is underpinned by a MacPherson strut front axle and four-link rear axle suspension. It rides 15mm lower than the regular A3 models. There’s also progressive steering. Like before, 18-inch wheels are standard, with 19-inch wheels available as an option.

Dimensions

Compared with the previous generation, the new S3 has grown in size. The Sportback and Sedan are 30mm and 40mm longer respectively, while both models are 30mm wider.

The five-door hatch is now 4.34 meters in length, while the four-door sedan is 4.50 meters long. Other than minimal differences, the two body variants are identical in terms of width (1.82 m), height (1.43 m) and wheelbase (2.64 m).

The interior is claimed to offer greater shoulder room and elbow room. Strangely, the new car’s boot is smaller than before, with the Sportback offering 325 litres of cargo space, down from 340 litres, while the sedan’s 370 litres of capacity is quite a drop from its predecessor’s 425 litres. That said, the rear seats can now slide forward to make way for more cargo space.

Interior

The cabin of the new S3 has been completely redesigned, adopting the sleek new dashboard featuring an electronic shifter, multiple digital screens and aluminium or carbon inlays.

In car entertainment is taken care of by a 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen system with significantly improved connectivity, especially with the optional MMI Navigation plus system. Audi says the third-generation modular infotainment platform is 10 times more powerful than that of its predecessor.

The post 2021 Audi S3: Quick Facts appeared first on ForceGT.com.

For far too long, Audi has been watching rivals BMW and Mercedes-Benz racking in from the increasingly popular SUV-coupe segment. Yes, Audi has the Q3 Sportback – glad they are not calling it a ‘coupe’ – but it only plays at the lower end of the market. The Q3 Sportback is based on the regular Q3, which itself is based on the A3 small car. Things are about the change though.

Earlier this year, the German company confirmed that the next ‘Sportback’ SUV will hit Audi showrooms later this year. The upcoming Q5 Sportback will finally give Audi a model to rival the likes of BMW X4 and Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe, as well as – to some extend – the Range Rover Evoque.

Like its name suggests, the Q5 Sportback will be based on the standard Q5 mid-size SUV – the company’s best-selling crossover. If the styling of the current Q3 Sportback is of any indication, expect the new Q5 Sportback to also sport a coupe-ish roofline for that sexy, non-domesticated look.

While fully camouflaged prototypes of the Q5 Sportback that have been going rounds at the Nurburgring have so far revealed little, here’s an amazingly realistic rendering of Audi’s next SUV coupe to curb your curiosity.

Created by automotive designer and renderer Kleber Silva of Behance.net, the rendering takes the basic shape of the existing Q5 and morph it into an attractive mid-size crossover coupe. The roofline is appropriately low-slung and while the front end is all Q5, the rear has adopted a futuristic LED light bar strip that stretches the entire width of the car.

The design is all pulled together with muscular shoulder lines, a subtle boot spoiler and large wheels that fill up the wheel arches nicely.

The Q5 Sportback is expected to launch in the fourth quarter of this year, with a powertrain line-up to largely mimic that of the Q5 (pictured below). This means a a range of 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 petrol and diesel engines, as well as a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6. A high-performance SQ5 Sportback based on the SQ5 is also expected to be in the cards, packing a 3.0-litre turbo V6 petrol.

The post The new 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback could look like this appeared first on ForceGT.com.

The all-new 2021 Audi A3 Sedan S line has made its official debut ahead of its showroom arrival in Europe.

Like its hatchback sibling, the new A3 Sedan is sportier and more connected than ever before. Based on the MQB Evo platform which also underpins the Volkswagen Mk8 Golf and Skoda Octavia, amongst others, the A3 sedan certainly looks sharp, if not sharper than its already good-looking predecessor.

Two cars are shown in the press photos, with the light blue one featuring the sporty S-line package, while the black one (see gallery below) being the Edition One model.

As expected, the sportier S line comes with a more aggressive body kit sporting deeper air intakes and chunkier front and rear bumpers.

Inside, the 2021 A3 Sedan is a big step up from the outgoing model, adopting the sleek new dashboard first seen in the A3 Sportback featuring an electronic shifter, multiple digital screens and aluminium or carbon inlays.

It’s also roomier than before, offering more passenger space although luggage volume remains identical at 425 litres. In a first for the A3, the base upholstery is made of environmentally friendly recycled PET bottles.

In car entertainment is taken care of by a 10.1-inch MMI touchscreen system with significantly improved connectivity, especially with the optional MMI Navigation plus system. Audi says the third-generation modular infotainment platform is 10 times more powerful than that of its predecessor.

Two TFSI petrol engines and two TDI diesels are on offer in Europe. On the petrol front, there’s an 81kW 1.0-litre TFSI three-cylinder matched with a six-speed manual transmission, followed by a 110kW 1.5-litre with either a six-speed manual or seven speed S tronic dual-clutch. The latter can also be had with a 48V mild-hybrid system.

On the diesel front, there’s a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel offering either 86kW or 110kW, with the more powerful engine matched exclusively with a S tronic dual-clutch transmission.

All powertrains are connected to the front wheels at the start of production, with Quattro AWD models slatted to join-in later.

The post 2021 Audi A3 Sedan S line unveiled appeared first on ForceGT.com.

The next-generation Audi S3 sedan has been spotted testing on public roads in Germany without a shred of camouflage. It’s the first time the sports sedan hits the wild fully undisguised, revealing a sportier front bumper design, side skirts and the obligatory quad exhaust tips.

Also visible in the spy photos are the Audi S design cues of a subtle boot lid spoiler and black application on the window frames, grille and side mirrors.

Like the current model, the new 2021 Audi S3 will get its power from a turbocharged 2.0-litre 4-cylinder TFSI petrol engine, with output expected to be around 220kW and 400Nm. It will continued to be offered with quattro all-wheel drive and a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

The new Audi S3 sedan is expected to premiere later this month.

Image source: Clicccar

The post 2021 Audi S3 sedan hits the road fully undisguised appeared first on ForceGT.com.

Audi is set to welcome a new era of mobility with the impending arrival of its first-ever all-electric vehicles into Australia this September. The Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback will be available with two battery variants and bring a raft of innovative new technology including all-electric quattro, energy recuperation and intelligent connectivity.

The Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback utilise an electric motor on the front and rear axles, and a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery, consisting of pouch cells that store the electrical energy.

The Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback 55 quattro variants store up to 95KWh of energy, for a range of over 400km, while the 50 quattro variants store up to 71 kWh of energy which is good for 300km.

The electric motors in the e-tron models also act as an energy recuperation system, which recovers energy when the driver releases the accelerator and when the brake pedal is depressed. Audi says the system is responsible for as much as 30 per cent of the e-tron’s range, depending on the driving conditions.

Both variants be charged via a supplied 11kW AC home-charging kit, or up to 150kW DC fast-charging (120kW for e-tron 50). This fast-charging option is suitable for stopovers on long journeys, restoring 80% of charge in just 30 minutes, or a full charge in 45 minutes. The 11kW AC home-charging solution can charge the e tron 55 variants from empty to full in 8.5 hours, and the e-tron 50 variants in 6 hours.

Audi Australia is offering all e-tron vehicles with a comprehensive customer offer that includes a 6-year subscription to the Chargefox charging network. Audi is a founding partner of the Chargefox network, and the subscription provides e-tron owners with access to all ultra-rapid, and selected fast and standard, chargers within the Chargefox network. All ultra-rapid chargers are powered by 100% renewable energy.

Additionally, Audi Australia is also offering all e-tron vehicles with servicing and roadside assistance for the first 6 years of ownership. Owners can take further peace-of-mind from an 8-year/160,000km drivetrain warranty. Any Audi dealer, within the national network of 42, can service an e-tron vehicle.

With 300kW of power and 664Nm of torque, the e-tron 55 quattro variants can sprint from 0-100km/h in just 5.7 seconds, en route to a top speed of 200 km/h. The e-tron 50 quattro variants, with 230kW/540Nm, can reach 100 km/h from rest in 6.8 seconds.

Drivers can choose from seven driving modes, ranging from comfortable to efficient and sporty. Its suspension system will also adjusts the vehicle’s ride height by up to 76mm depending on the speed and how the vehicle is being driven.

The Audi e-tron SUV echoes the latest Audi design language, with a distinctive twist of anodised aluminium throughout. The wide Singleframe grille sits between arresting Matrix LED headlights, while dynamic LED lights create a striking road presence from the rear. The e-tron features 20-inch Audi sport alloy wheels with body coloured wheel arches and side trims.

In comparison to its SUV sibling, the Audi e-tron Sportback brings its own distinctive presence with a sharper, more sporty exterior design. The sweeping roofline and contoured rear accentuate its muscular and athletic character. The e-tron Sportback benefits from some additional equipment, including aesthetic features like S line exterior package, alongside 21-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels as standard.

The interior of the Audi e-tron embraces a minimalist layout, with the dual MMI touch response touchscreens – 10.1-inch for infotainment, 8.6-inch for vehicle functions – the feature of the centre console.

Another of the e-tron’s highlight is its Virtual Mirrors which replaces the traditional wing mirrors with door mounted cameras that project live images onto small displays inside the car.

Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback pricing (excluding on-roads)

The post Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback join the electron race from $137,700 appeared first on ForceGT.com.

After lengthy delays, the 2020 Audi TT RS has finally been confirmed to rejoin the Australian line up in July.

First revealed in February 2019, the facelifted coupé was originally scheduled to reach Australian shores in late 2019 but the plan was halted due to work required to its iconic five-cylinder engine meet the more stringent WLTP fuel consumption test regime.

The facelifted 2020 Audi TT RS Coupé will arrive locally priced from $134,900 plus on-road costs – $3,000 cheaper than the pre-facelift model that debuted in 2017. Audi says it also comes with over $6,500 of additional features compared to its predecessor.

The highlight of the TT RS is of course its turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine that delivers 294kW and 480Nm of torque. Matched with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, the all-wheel drive coupé will rocket to 100km/h from a standstill in just 3.7 seconds.

Despite the impressive performance, Audi claims the TT RS will return 8.0L/100km, an improvement of 0.4L/100km over the 2017 model.

The TT RS is built using the lightweight Audi Space Frame (ASF) and sits on RS sport suspension plus with Audi magnetic ride as standard. It has a ride height that is 10mm lower than the regular Audi TT. In dynamic mode, Audi magnetic ride resists braking and cornering forces on the car’s attitude, heightening agile and responsive handling. The progressive steering is said to provide responsive cornering in all conditions.

Outside, the TT RS features a more aggressive body kit compared to its lesser siblings, with a wider Singleframe grille, larger an intakes and standard Matrix LED headlights, while at the rear, a fixed rear spoiler sits above the optional Matrix OLED taillights.

It sits on a set of 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 255/30 tyres behind which hide red eight-piston brake calipers clamping 370mm ventilated rotors up front.

Standard equipment includes a 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit that comes with model specific functions like a larger tachometer, coloured shift lights, as well as g-force and lap time measurements, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, MMI touch and natural language voice control, and a 680W, 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system.

Customers can also customise the interior of their TT RS further with two RS Design packages that are available in either red or blue accenting.

The TT RS is offered with a choice of two comprehensive Audi service plan packages: three years priced at $2,320 or a five-year service plan priced at $3,420.

The Audi TT RS Coupé is available to purchase through the new Audi online purchase platform which offers customers the convenience of reserving their Audi vehicle from the comfort of their own home via audi.com.au.

Pricing (Excluding on-road costs)

The post 2020 Audi TT RS rejoins Australian line-up: pricing and specification appeared first on ForceGT.com.