Audi defines cozy
Detroit in winter… cold, grubby and dingy. The American metropolis which is Motown is far from being exemplary of urban sophistication and each year in January the crowds arrive to confirm that this is indeed a city with enormous difficulties. Audi are making an effort, however, to portray winter in a more positive perspective and are putting on display their show car, the Q3 Vail. Finished in a vibrant ‘Energy Red’ with pearlized effect, the compact SUV with its accent kit held in grey quartz lacquer is intended to appeal to skiers and snowboarders… above all to those who in truth hate the cold. This is a car which strives above all to be cozy.
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- On the side wall of the boot there is a charging dock in which flashlights can be stowed and re-charged by induction technology. the Audi crew have also installed a heated mat in the load area.
Hottie for softies
The measures they have taken are certainly original. On the side wall of the boot there is a charging dock in which flashlights can be stowed and re-charged by induction technology. The same tech helps to keep the thermos flasks warm so that there is no reason to do without that revitalizing slug of alcoholically fortified tea. The flashlights use LED bulbs and also have infra-red warming to help with cold hands or ski boots. And the Audi crew have installed a heated mat in the load area which can be set on the open tailgate. This protects from scratches caused by ski or snowboard equipment but softies can also sit on it when putting on their boots. LED lighting in the tailgate provides atmospheric illumination.
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- Five-spoke 20 inch wheels and extra-wide off-road tyres reinforce the all-weather look.
Off-road allures
LED technology is also a feature of the aluminium roof rails. At the front there are narrow-beam spotlights to light up the piste ahead. These can be switched on by hitting a button positioned in the roof lining. Apart from the roof rails, the off-road allure is enhanced by a track widened front and back by four centimetres and a raising of the car’s body to increase ground clearance. Five-spoke 20 inch wheels and extra-wide off-road tyres reinforce the all-weather look.
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- The interior of the Q3 Vail features a colour scheme in black, grey and red. Woven leather is used for the upholstery and red suede provides accents for both the seats and the door linings. The dashboard is finished in black Nappa leather and there are metal trim elements embellishing the cockpit.
Ready for anything
The interior of the Q3 Vail features a colour scheme in black, grey and red. Woven leather is used for the upholstery and red suede provides accents for both the seats and the door linings. The dashboard is finished in black Nappa leather and there are metal trim elements embellishing the cockpit. The central monitor informs the driver of the car’s angle of incline both fore and aft and side to side as the journey in the mountains is ventured. In areas where the navigation system’s map proves inadequate the GPS data will be recorded so that finding the way back to the warm ski chalet is an easy matter.
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- Apart from the roof rails, the off-road allure of the Q3 Vail is enhanced by a track widened front and back by four centimetres and a raising of the car’s body by three centimetres to increase ground clearance.
Motors and markets
Under the bonnet of the all-wheel-drive auto there is a 2.5 litre five-cylinder turbocharged petrol-fuelled engine producing 314 horsepower. This is sufficient to push the little SUV to a hundred kilometres an hour in 5.5 seconds and the top speed of the Q3 Vail is 262 kilometres an hour. In the series Q3 models a 211 horsepower two-litre engine has been the top petrol-fuelled power plant currently on offer. But this is likely to change. A five-cylinder motor would be likely to have more appeal for power-hungry American buyers… in the event that Audi decide to offer the Q3 in that market. Up to now the concern’s SUV portfolio in the land of unlimited opportunity starts with their larger Q5 model.
