Engine, transmission and technical details
For the moment, all Q3s are powered by a selection of four-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel engines, connected to six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch transmissions. Quattro all-wheel drive is optional on higher-spec models.
Entry-level 35 TFSI models feature VW Group’s new, and extremely refined, 1.5-litre ‘EVO’ four-cylinder with 148bhp. From here, all other models feature 2-litre four-cylinder units, with diesels available in 148bhp (35 TDI) and 187bhp (40 TDI) forms, while petrols are available in 187bhp (40 TFSI) and 226bhp (45 TFSI) forms, the latter unit borrowed from the previous Golf GTI. Unfortunately, this powertrain is only available with quattro all-wheel drive and a dual-clutch transmission, so any notion of it being a tall hot hatchback might be misplaced.
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That quattro all-wheel-drive system is a relatively simple Haldex-style unit, with a majority of the power sent to the front wheels, only being shoved back when slip is detected or assumed. The Q3’s MQB-derived chassis drives the overall package, with MacPherson struts on the front axle, and a multi-link rear.
A future replacement for the wild RSQ3 is expected, with that model likely to share the 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine from the current RS3 and TTRS, featuring around 400bhp.
