By Mike Torpey on 2014-01-29 - Driving Force news editor and responsible for organising our daily output. He was staff motoring editor of the Liverpool Echo for 20 years.
Audi raises
efficiency with Q3
AUDI is boosting the appeal of its Q3 compact SUV model with a 150PS 1.4 TFSI engine - offering efficiency gains that come close to rivalling its diesel stablemate.
It's part of the premium brand's drive to cut engine capacities down to a more efficient size without paring back performance and the 150PS unit joins the range alongside a new S line Plus specification option.
The 1.4 TFSI slots in at the entry point to the Q3 line-up as an alternative to the 140PS 2.0-litre TDI model, and is also front wheel drive.
Trim grades are SE or S line and the transmission choice is six-speed manual or seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch, with prices from £23,870.
Paired with the manual gearbox, the Q3 can accelerate from 0-62mph in 9.2 seconds - 8.9 for cars equipped with S tronic - and on to a top speed of 126mph.
Combined fuel economy stands at 47.9mpg and CO2 emissions match the 140PS version of the 2.0 TDI engine elsewhere in the range at 137g/km, rising to 145g/km for S tronic models.
For company car drivers, its 19 per cent benefit-in-kind figure equates to a tax liability for a 40 per cent taxpayer of £1,800 in the first year.
The new S line Plus spec, available for all quattro-equipped 2.0 TFSI and 2.0 TDI models, carries a £2,350 premium over S line trim.
It brings in 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, rear privacy glass and a choice of seven metallic paint finishes while inside, the standard S line cloth and leather combination upholstery is replaced by a perforated leather and Alcantara mix.
There's also cruise control, the Audi parking system plus and SD card-based sat-nav via a 6.5-inch colour display.
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