Among other recent changes to the Audi Q3 compact crossover range, Audi has introduced the 1.4 TFSI CoD turbo petrol engine already used in the A1 and A3. It’s also featured in the Volkswagen Golf and several other VW Group products. The term CoD associated this engine stands for “cylinder on demand”. It means that two of the engine's four cylinders shut down when only a small amount of power is required, such as in slow traffic or even when maintaining cruising speed.
When this engine first went into production it was rated 138bhp but its output was quickly bumped up to 148bhp before it came anywhere near the Q3. It shares equal-least-powerful status in the range with one version of the 2.0-litre TDI diesel yet is slightly quicker. That’s because although the diesel has more power lower down the rev range, the 1.4 TSI CoD car weighs 100kg less.
All this happens automatically, and the only deliberate sign of it is a brief message on the instrument panel. It's sometimes said that you can't hear the difference in engine note, but in fact you can in a hatchback. The inevitable extra road and wind noise means that you can't in the Q3.
And that's fine, because you shouldn't be giving this any thought at all other than appreciating the improved running costs. Combined fuel economy and CO2 emissions for 1.4 CoD models are 50.4mpg and 128g/km with six-speed manual transmission, 47.9mpg and 136g/km with the S tronic semi-automatic gearbox which adds £1,710 to the list price.
The 148bhp 2.0 TDI can do better this, but only if it also has front-wheel drive. With the quattro four-wheel drive system (not available with the 1.4 CoD) it's less economical and more expensive to tax, as are all other Q3s.
The lack of drive to the rear wheels means that the 1.4 CoD Q3 will be less effective than all the others off-road, though if you're only venturing far enough off the tarmac to have a picnic on dry grass this isn't going to be a problem.
On solid ground the Q3's height relative to its weight has obvious effects on its road behaviour. Audi describes the car as combining "agile handling with supreme safety", and if left to my own devices I'd be prepared to argue this point in some detail. Still, you probably have better things to do than listen to that, so I'll just say that the Q3 feels a bit wobbly on the road, and I'm not sure I'd want to spend much time in one that produced more than the previously mentioned 148bhp.
The Q3 range in general has been updated for 2015, with a few styling tweaks such as new lights, bumpers and wheel design. All versions now come as standard with drive select adaptive dynamics (previously available only at extra cost) along with dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth connectivity, an iPod connection and automatic headlights and wipers.
In the SE trim level, the 1.4 CoD manual is the cheapest Q3 there is at £25,340. S line trim adds £2,550 to the price, and S line Plus costs a further £2,350 on top of that.
