Safe with lots of style

Audi has a knack for seamlessly combining practicality and style and, if you don’t believe me, you will the moment you lay eyes on the new Q3.

It may be a compact SUV but don’t let it’s size fool you, this little runner has a big personality both on-road and off, thanks to the ‘quattro’ AWD.

On first glance, the Q3 is immediately recognisable as the youngest member of the large Audi family. The exterior boasts some seductive curves and its aggressive-looking grille dominates the front end.

Although the rear drops quite sharply, which gives this model an added sporty presence; it shares obvious Q design traits such as the wide tail-gate that incorporates the entire tail-light housings.

Its luxurious interior is exactly what you’d expect from Audi and the quality of the workmanship hits you immediately.

I guarantee you’ll notice it the moment you slip into the comfortable leather seats, spot the seductively smooth surfaces, touch the leather-wrapped sports steering wheel and admire the stylishly-framed centre-stack, which houses the majority of the infotainment controls.

Perhaps this is the reason behind the growth the brand has seen recently. In the first six months of the year the company handed over more than 733,000 cars to customers worldwide, 12.3 per cent more than in the same period of 2011. Around 133,050 customers chose an Audi in June alone – 13.1 per cent more than last year. The strong performance in Germany continued in the past month with growth of 14.6 per cent.

After spending an enjoyable afternoon cruising around Manama I decided to take a trip to Askar, which really put the Q3 to the test.

Under the bonnet of the model I drove was a respectable four-cylinder 2.0 TFSI 170bhp engine which launches the Q3 from 0-100kmph in 7.8 seconds.

This was ample power to dart safely through the Alba roundabout in style. I dread this notoriously dangerous roundabout, but I felt like I was in safe hands and with good reason.

The steering is so responsive and the Q3 itself is very nimble which makes it exceptionally easy to manoeuvre.

Also, earlier this year the Audi Q3 received five stars – the highest possible score – for passive crash safety by the European consumer protection initiative Euro NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme).

The Euro NCAP test is regarded as one of the most demanding tests in the world to be applied to new vehicles. It is recognised as a benchmark for crash safety by governments, automobile clubs and consumer protection organisations throughout Europe.

When I got to Askar, a few wrong turns took me off-road and that’s when the Q3 really proved its mettle. The switch to desert driving was seamless and it handled just as well as some of the bigger SUVs on the market.

However, for me, the best thing about this car is the brake assist feature. We’ve all been stuck in traffic and the monotony of shifting to park during prolonged periods of waiting is usually followed by a clamor to get back into drive before the people behind you start beeping their horns … not in this SUV.

Simply tap the break, remove your foot from the pedal and sit pretty because the car automatically holds the break for you.

In terms of infotainment, the Q3 has several features including a standard seven-inch colour monitor, Bluetooth audio streaming and hands-free calling, iPod connectivity, dual-zone climate control, a driver information system and steering wheel mounted controls, among a list of premium features.

There are also a range of driver assistance systems on offer including the park assist system which maneuvers the vehicle into tight parking spaces almost autonomously; and side assist, which employs radar to help the driver change lanes safely.

In my opinion, this SUV is smoother than a jazz musician and twice as engaging.

Prices start from BD16,500 and includes a five year warranty, five-year service package, five-year roadside assist and 12-year rust-proofing warranty.

For more information, call Audi Centre Bahrain on 17459933 or visit www.audi-me.com