[rnlabas]

If you could buy an SQ3 : 2.0 TFSI 290 hp S-Tronic (DSG) Carbon Atlas trim, RS bumpers and grill, Sport Suspension (lowered about 20-25 mm) Flat bottom steering wheel in Air leather (like mine), matching leather shift boot (like mine), in Prestige trim - nice 19" or 20" wheels, would you line up to purchase with a base price of $51K??

Take the Poll -

 

[gmharle]

I really like the sound of this, but I would have to see and drive it to know for sure.

 

[john]

Yes, I want one and would swap mine out for one. I am very happy with my Q3 but would enjoy a higher zoot one too! As much as I like the S3, the Q3 fits me and my needs better so of course I would want an SQ3!!

 

[AudiFox]

Maaaaaaybe. I'll have test out the SQ3 first and see how it slots in with my finances.

 

[cableguy]

Nope...Now I'm pretty sure I'd lust after it, but the fully loaded Q3 already pushed me to my limit on what I want to spend getting from point A to point B. Now if you can get me a 15% discount on that SQ3 you'll have me.

 

[ambushloco]

I'd love not to have to do all those mods myself that an SQ3 would have. Is it just me or are there no plans by Audi to even make an SQ3 much less bring it here? Did I miss an announcement??

 

[rokutman]

For me it would depend on the engine.

 

[rnlabas]

There are NO plans for an SQ3 - but a few folks have thought about how Audi might/could create one - so I put up the poll to see how y'all might respond. The engine is similar to what we already have albeit with a nice tune - this engine exists NOW in the S3, so THAT part is really pretty straightforward. The RoW already gets the DSG so THAT too is pretty straightforward - the rest are just bits here and there from the RSQ3 bin that would easily fit and add a few bucks. My guess at price is based mostly on what our cars already cost and the added bits to get where it would/could take...

If the poll shapes out a bit more before next weekend, I may take the results and the spec to the WEC race in Austin where I know I'll run into a few AoA seniors to see what they think - who knows. Audi is very keen on customer fans and what drives desire for models here - more so than I ever saw with Motorsport at BMW in my 30 car lifetime with them ...

 

[john]

Thanks Roger. This would be cool if it was a grassroots efforts. At the very least can we get the same engine as in the TT and GTI? That one has 220 HP and 258 ft. lbs of torque. I think the extra torque would be most welcome in the Q3!

If they make the SQ3 - please ask them for the special colors like in the S3. I really want one in Audi Yellow! My wife does not like it but I think it is amazing!!

 

[Q3User]

There are NO plans for an SQ3 - but a few folks have thought about how Audi might/could create one - so I put up the poll to see how y'all might respond. The engine is similar to what we already have albeit with a nice tune - this engine exists NOW in the S3, so THAT part is really pretty straightforward. The RoW already gets the DSG so THAT too is pretty straightforward - the rest are just bits here and there from the RSQ3 bin that would easily fit and add a few bucks. My guess at price is based mostly on what our cars already cost and the added bits to get where it would/could take...

If the poll shapes out a bit more before next weekend, I may take the results and the spec to the WEC race in Austin where I know I'll run into a few AoA seniors to see what they think - who knows. Audi is very keen on customer fans and what drives desire for models here - more so than I ever saw with Motorsport at BMW in my 30 car lifetime with them ...

Interesting parts bin strategy.
If Europe already has the RSQ3, why not just take a few things off of that & export it to the US at a lower price?
That'll save on any extra R&D & really just ties us over until the next gen Q3 that can come fully packaged from the beginning as a RQ3.

 

[rnlabas]

The RSQ3 may come in the last year of the current line (before the jump to the MQB platform). This is usual for Audi and RS cars - but has changed slightly over the past few years. Meanwhile you must know that a similarly equipped (as Prestige) RSQ3 cost in the EU well over $60K (withOUT VAT) and most Q3 buyers here would simply shudder at that thought. So what do you think is "at a lower price" mean? $55K, $50K - see what I mean? An SQ3 MAY be possible - based on a business model to return the costs of bringing it here, but an RSQ3??? Perhaps Audi could sell 50 - maybe 100, shoot fire, maybe 500 - but would that make up the EASY $1M to certify it - I doubt it. You need to realize Audi make cars - great ones even - to MAKE MONEY - they already LOOSE money on several cars that they bring here in limited quantities - EVER R8 - EVERY RS, and most Ss - too - But they do it to bring those halo models here for US - to be sure WE have the chance to taste them - of course that helps improve their image - and doesn't hurt us either. It's just that can't bring everything here for the 5000 fans out of 300000 cars ...

 

[john]

If the poll shapes out a bit more before next weekend, I may take the results and the spec to the WEC race in Austin where I know I'll run into a few AoA seniors to see what they think - who knows. Audi is very keen on customer fans and what drives desire for models here - more so than I ever saw with Motorsport at BMW in my 30 car lifetime with them ...

Hi Roger,
Did you ever have this conversation?
Thanks, John

 

[rnlabas]

Unfortunately no - 2 reasons, 1st, my wife fell and hit her head badly (EMS and all that) so I cancelled the trip literally hours before I was to get on a plane, and 2nd, turns out that the guys at AoA I would've wanted to speak to about THIS weren't even there anyway - which would've been a larger disappointment had I made it. So - still on my mind when I get a chance to chat, possibly at Daytona or Sebring next year. Meanwhile, I wouldn't hold much stock in my ability to influence them on this as it's outside their market expectations for the platform while they DO focus on the upcoming RS3 sedan and possible TTRS ...

 

[john]

Got it. Thanks for the update. I hope your wife has fully recovered!

 

[Monsoon]

Interesting parts bin strategy.
If Europe already has the RSQ3, why not just take a few things off of that & export it to the US at a lower price?
That'll save on any extra R&D & really just ties us over until the next gen Q3 that can come fully packaged from the beginning as a RQ3.

The Q3 is new to me. Just saw it in Aug 2015 and bought one last week. Why is the SQ3 not available here.

 

[john]

The Q3 is new to me. Just saw it in Aug 2015 and bought one last week. Why is the SQ3 not available here.

My guess is volume. Since they sell the Golf R and S3 with the logical engine for the SQ3, the cost of certifying another vehicle for probably low volume is not worth it. On the other hand, Audi does sell the SQ5 here in the states but I would guess the volume on that is pretty low.
But I would take one should Audi decide to build it!

 

[rnlabas]

Interesting parts bin strategy.
If Europe already has the RSQ3, why not just take a few things off of that & export it to the US at a lower price?
That'll save on any extra R&D & really just ties us over until the next gen Q3 that can come fully packaged from the beginning as a RQ3.

This IS Audi's typical end of platform strategy - at least in the past. I suspect we'll see some sort of sport or sport plus version a year before the really new - not facelifted - version comes out. Look for it as a 2017 model ... prolly an SQ3 with a few RS bits, bumpers, rockers, Carbon Atlas interior trim, Alcantara here and there - and the 292 hp version of the CCTA - $52K

 

[john]

this is audi's typical end of platform strategy - at least in the past. I suspect we'll see some sort of sport or sport plus version a year before the really new - not facelifted - version comes out. Look for it as a 2017 model ... Prolly an sq3 with a few rs bits, bumpers, rockers, carbon atlas interior trim, alcantara here and there - and theversion of the ccta - $52k

bring it!

 

[Frank Berrios]

I'd buy it

 

[Jon]

That would be pretty cool and I would like to say I would buy one though the price is more than I could reasonably afford. If I found one as a CPO a few years later that could put it within my financial reach. Back in the day about 20 years ago I was on a VW forum and there was a similar poll for the R32. I don’t know if the poll had any impact though eventually it did become available on our side of the pond.