Priced at RM258,000 OTR without insurance. S-Line package an additional RM21,000.... [+ click to enlarge] Audi Q3 launched at Subang Skypark. First nine customers taking delivery. Only one variant is on offer - 2.0 TFSI at RM258,000. Cabin of the Q3, built to Audi's typically high standards. The VW Group's 2.0-litre EA888 engine tuned to make 170hp and 280Nm in the Q3.

Audi's latest member of its Q family of SUVs, the Audi Q3, has made its official entry into Malaysian shores, having just been launched by official distributor Euromobil Sdn Bhd in a ceremony held at Subang Skypark Terminal last Friday. The event, which was attended by members of the press and invited guests, also saw the first nine takers of the Q3 receiving their keys and driving their new cars home.

Manufactured in Seat's plant in Martorell, Spain, the Q3 made its world debut at the Shanghai Motor Show last year, and is, to date, available worldwide with a selection of three 2.0-litre turbocharged engines from the VW Group - two petrol and one diesel. For the Malaysian market, Euromobil is offering only one variant, a petrol model pushing out 170hp and 280Nm to all four wheels.

Standard transmission is a 7-speed S-tronic dual clutch transmission, a combo which enables the Q3 to complete the century sprint in a reasonably brisk 7.8 seconds. The engine also features technologies such as direct injection, turbocharging, start-stop system, and energy recovery system to enable a claimed fuel economy of 7.7 l/100km and CO₂ emissions of 170 g/km.

Audi paid attention to streamline the Q3's weight and aerodynamics. The diminutive little SUV slips through the wind with a Cd of 0.32, and weight is kept down with extensive use of aluminium (bonnet and tailgate) and ultra-high strength steels (passenger cell). As a result, the Q3 tips the scales at a very healthy 1,510kg, compared to 1,689kg of the Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0TSI, the Q3's platform mate.

The Q3 sits 170mm above ground, and its chassis is independently sprung all-round. Alongside its quattro AWD system, the Q3 also features electronic stability program (ESP) and electronic differential lock to maintain high grip levels at all times. The Q3's AWD is Haldex system, as opposed to the Torsen differentials used by bigger Audis. This difference in setup is due to the fact that the Q3's engine is mounted transversely as opposed to longitudinally in most other Audi vehicles.

The Q3 is also equipped with Audi's Drive Select system which enables drivers to switch steering, transmission and engine responses between four modes - Efficiency, Comfort, Auto, and Dynamic. In Efficiency mode, the transmission actually free-wheels when it detects that the driver is coasting, helping to save a further few drops of fuel in the process.

Standard equipment on the Q3 is pretty extensive, with voice control, 6.5" TFT colour display, 10-speaker Audi sound system, CD changer, auto headlights, auto wipers, and steering-mounted controls. Four items are listed in Euromobil's options list, namely comfort key (RM2,500), pearl effect paint (RM3,500), BOSE surround sound (RM5,000), and panoramic roof (RM6,000).

Pricing for the Audi Q3 2.0 TFSI quattro starts at RM258,000 on-the-road before insurance, with the S-Line kit upgrade available at an additional RM21,000. Audi's first shipment of the Q3 contains 100 units, and as of Friday, 35 have been booked.

• Audi Q3 set for Shanghai debut