Adapting to Roads Less Travelled with the Audi Q3 35 TFSI
The long open road lay in front of us as we revved the engine. It’s been too long since our last visit to the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands and the N3 highway was lined with golden grasslands and specks of Kosmos. This time of the year is probably the best time for a road trip to the Drakensberg, meandering the Midlands (okay, and just to keep things authentic, dodging potholes). Our ride: The Audi Q3 35 TFSI.
Sneaky-sneaky
The vehicle has a sneaky way of drawing you in and making you fall in love with not only its looks, but also its personality. From the outside, the SUV seems rather compact and almost too small for a family. But, once you get in, it offers plenty of leg room both in front and at the back. It also has a large boot, which makes for easy weekend getaways. We easily fit two large travel bags, a medium-sized cool box, a vanity case and even a suit in a bag into the boot. Depending on the position of the back seats, you can get up to 675l in boot space in the Audi Q3 35 TFSI. In fact, when the backrests are folded down, it can go up to 1525l. The vehicle is also sneaky in the way it gets portrayed as an SUV for the city, while it can just as easily bring you and your family to a guest farm in the berg.
A for Audi, Adapt or Apt?
The Audi Q3 35 TFSI we meandered through the Midlands with, came with semi low-profile tyres, which – after seeing the state of many of the province’s roads – we thought might pose a problem. Luckily, the car comes with different driving profiles and we quickly switched to offroad. It performed brilliantly (in combination with careful and considerate driving, of course) and effortlessly dodged potholes with nippy turns and trusty brakes. The vehicle has up to six different profiles to choose from – depending on the driving situation and road condition – ranging from convenient to efficient to sporty. At one point, we had to take a gravel road instead, as locals dubbed it the better road, and even then, the vehicle effortlessly floated over the untarred terrain.
Silence, we're singing
The hills of Highmoor had us singing the theme song of The Sound of Music in no time and the Q3 was impressively quiet on the road, allowing for some great road trip songs. Our Spotify App, which we synced with the dashboard in a jiffy, certainly came in handy. Of course, these moments were made even more memorable with the vehicle’s SONOS Premium Sound System, featuring 3D sound.
In aesthetics, less is more
For us, aesthetics always play a part in how we experience the drive. The Audi Q3 certainly did not disappoint – from its sleek exterior to its minimalistic interior. The Singleframe grille is complemented by single-design headlights and make for a rather grand impression as it approaches.
Inside, the dash is simple, yet elegant, with all the bells and whistles.
Get with the times
Since it’s all new, you’ll have to gear up and keep to the times. We were unable to charge our phones on the road, as we did not have the right charging cable for one of the trendiest vehicles on the road. There are, however, various interfaces through which you can connect your mobile device with the vehicle, with integrated Audi connect services that allow you to enjoy a host of digital features as you hit the road.
Considerate driving
While the vehicle is 100% petrol driven, it has the built-in function of lowering CO2 emissions. The Audi Q3 35 TFSI is currently available in South Africa, with the 35 TDI due to arrive in the country in the third quarter of this year.
Whether it brings you to a secluded farmhouse with a crackling fireplace, or a lavish five-star hotel in the city, with the Audi Q3 35 TFSI you will most certainly arrive in style.
