Audi Q-Drive 2014 - Quattro To The Fore

By Santosh

We reached the Blue Waters site in the outskirts of Bangalore, the location of the 3rd edition of the Audi Q-Drive, just as the sun began to really show off. Since it was a little early, we thought a little recce of the track would be in order, and took a stroll out to the dusty locale.

The Q-Drive, which reaches out to 6000 customers across the country, is organised by Audi to give participants an idea of the capabilities of their Quattro SUVs, on a specially designed track which offers obstacles like trenches, axle-twisting offset dips, steeply inclined turns, a slush section, an approximately two-feet deep water hazard culminating in a steep descent into a pit and up a rather steeply inclined table top hill.

Also Read: Audi Bags Quality Awards Third Time In A Row

ADAC GT driver Aditya Patel and Indian rally driver Deepak Paul Chinnappa were our obviously extremely skilled hosts, and post a short briefing session where certain safety and driving etiquette aspects were touched upon, the event was ready to begin.

The story continues in the next section. Click through the slides for more:

Audi Q-Drive 2014 - Quattro To The Fore

The story continues in the next slide.

Audi Q-Drive 2014 - Quattro To The Fore

There were five SUVs designated for the day - two Q3s, two Q5s, and one Q7. Participants were assigned to these three cars, and were given the chance to drive two vehicles over the course of their runs. We got into the 175 bhp Q3 2.0 TDI with both our amicable hosts, who completed one lap of the circuit with us as passengers.

Audi Q-Drive 2014 - Quattro To The Fore

"Do this course slowly and you will really enjoy it," they stressed to all participants over the walky-talky. It was our turn to drive now, and with a lone butterfly flying around somewhere, we set out toward the first obstacle, a side trench. This was a sort of warm up to the other sections of the course and was completed without much drama save the wheels gaining a decent bit of air.

Audi Q-Drive 2014 - Quattro To The Fore

We then made our way to the 35-degree-inclined turn. Even with the Q3's wheels on the top of the embankment, there was not even the slightest hint of a possible rollover, testament to the mini-SUV's low centre of gravity, which no doubt aids its handling at speed as well.

Audi Q-Drive 2014 - Quattro To The Fore

The Q3 crawled slowly towards the next obstacle, a slush pit, which was noticeably less deep than the pit we encountered last year, where towards the end of the event, even the mighty Q7 needed assistance to get out. The car slithered a trifle in the mud and was soon out of the shallow trap. This was a bit of a disappointment, since it left us hoping for a little more slush to play around in.

Audi Q-Drive 2014 - Quattro To The Fore

Out of the mud and into what Audi called the ‘Axle Twister'. This section, with its offset dips got the car's wheels in the air nicely, and the Q3 moved forward through these dips effortlessly, even with only two wheels on the ground on several occasions. This was a true test of the Quattro system, where power can be redirected to wheels with traction and stopped to the ones in the air - the Audi came out with flying colours.

Audi Q-Drive 2014 - Quattro To The Fore

Life isn't too bad at all, we agreed, being cucooned inside the Q3 cabin at a cool 22 degrees, as compared to the mid-thirty-degree heat outside and putting the car through its paces on an interesting track. We then arrived at the water obstacle, and entered the car slowly into the pit. The two-feet deep water posed no problem even to the smaller-proportioned Q3 and it was finally time to hit the steep table top climb.

Audi Q-Drive 2014 - Quattro To The Fore

The Q3 dipped its nose into the entry to the table top, which was a gradual dip. We stopped the car at the bottom, gearing up for the ascent. Aditya had told us that we could stop the car even halfway up the little hill, and the car would have no problem taking off again and completing the climb. Make no mistake, these SUVs are by no means light - even the Q3 weighs over 1600 kilograms, so being able to do so must use every last newton force of the Q3's 380 Nm of torque.

Audi Q-Drive 2014 - Quattro To The Fore

Taking the car up to a mere 1500 rpm was all that was required to get the Q3 effortlessly climbing. All we could see was bright blue sky at this time, quite a thrill, and we were glad for the reference posts put up on either side of the top of the climb, since it can actually be rather disorienting if you're not used to it. Amazing this, we thought, as we went down the slope and over a couple of offset bumps, which marked the end of the run.

Audi Q-Drive 2014 - Quattro To The Fore

The Q-Drive had been an eye-opener, seeing these luxury vehicles tackling decently extreme obstacles, that too on road tyres. While an Audi SUV owner would probably never venture off-road with his pride and joy, it must be heartening to know that even in a tricky situation, his spotless Italian footwear will remain unharmed...

Quick glance

Quick glance

Audi Q3 2.0 TDI Quattro

Engine: 1968cc, 4-cylinder diesel engine
Max power: 175 bhp at 4200 rpm
Max torque: 380 Nm at 1750 rpm
Transmission: 7-speed S tronic automatic

Quick glance

Quick glance

Audi Q5 2.0 TDI Quattro

Engine: 1968cc, 4-cylinder diesel engine
Max power: 175 bhp at 4200 rpm
Max torque: 380 Nm at 1750 rpm
Transmission: 7-speed S tronic automatic

Audi Q-Drive 2014 - Quattro To The Fore

Audi Q7 3.0 TDI Quattro

Engine: 2967cc, V6 diesel engine
Max power: 243 bhp at 3800 rpm
Max torque: 550 Nm @ 1750 rpm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic

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Article Published On: Thursday, July 3, 2014, 16:22 [IST]
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