Audi Q3 Dynamic Review

When does the word new not really mean new? In the auto industry of course! It is often misused, isn't it? Much worse is all-new! Which is why, it was a relief that Audi India simply told us we were getting a new variant of the Q3, and not a new one! The idea was seemingly simple. Launch a plush, fully-loaded premium variant - just in-time for the arrival of the similarly-positioned GLA from Mercedes-Benz. Yes, the rivals should be worried, given the buzz around the latter!

So the Q3 Dynamic is essentially the 177 bhp, 2.0 TDI Quattro variant, but also now has Audi drive-select, a rough-road package and some goodies as standard. At Rs 38.40 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) they had better be! So you get a panoramic sunroof, 17-inch alloys, the off-road styling package trim, and on the outside there are new clear-lens tail-lights for good measure. I have to say those tail-lights do look pretty sexy, and instantly different too!

The drive select is the winner for me. That's essentially the button that lets you change the car's setup from automatic to comfort to dynamic - depending on your mood or the prevailing conditions. Its good to see Audi reaffirming more and more faith in its network by bringing in these features - which really should always have been available across the range. The car handles well; the new dynamic comfort suspension sounds like an oxymoron, but seems to deal with our roads ably.

The Q3 is a car that is well-sized for India. It also has an airy cabin - that exudes a sense of being roomier than the competition. The range starts with the Q3 S manual gearbox car (minus the LED daytime runners) at Rs 25.49 lakh. There are two more variants before you get to the new Dynamic. Drive select is now standard on the Premium Plus variant too.