Audi Q-Drive 2014 In Bangalore: A Day Out With The Mighty Quattro SUVs

Images from the Audi Q-Drive 2014 off-road event held in Bangalore recently.

Part of the Q-Drive fleet was one Audi Q3, two Audi Q5s and one Audi Q7. These gave participants the chance to experience the different engine range Audi offers and not to mention the level of luxury each model provides.

The off-road track measured about 500 meters long and consisted of a diverse range of features that challenged drivers as well as the SUVs.

Drivers had to tackle obstacles such as small humps, a sharp, steep climb up and down a large embankment, articulation pits, bankings, slush and a short rock trail.

The large embankment allowed drivers to test the SUVs' hill-hold and hill-descent functions. From our own experience, these two features make driving up and down steep areas a breeze.

Once engaged, the SUV is held in place without the application of brakes, even at an angle of over 45 degrees. To get moving all one has to do is accelerate hard and the SUV gets going as if it were moving from a parking lot.

We drove a black Audi Q5. Powered by a 174 hp 2.0 liter TDI engine that generates a torque of 380 Nm right from 1,750 rpm, the Q5 made moving through the two foot deep articulation pits easier than it is to tackle Indian potholes in a hatchback.

The slush was definitely the most difficult part of the track. Repeated drives through the slush area only made it that much more challenging for those who drove through it later, as the day progressed.

At one point, this part of the track turned so difficult that even the most powerful SUV of the lot, the Q7 had to be aided before it could get out of the predicament after a long struggle with the sticky mud.

The Q7 would have made it out of the slush with ease had it been equipped with off-road tyres. But then, the whole point of the exercise was to demonstrate the capability of these SUVs in their stock, non-modified form.

From our experience behind the wheels of Audi's Quattro equipped SUVs in their natural environment we learnt this. Light off-roading in any of the three Audi SUVs is very well near the proverbial child's play. The SUVs take care of the driver rather than the otherway around.

Having said that, if you plan on doing true, hard-core off-roading you'll still need to do some extra preparation such as get off-road tyres for one. Here, these SUVs become capable partners, rather than parents walking their child in the park.

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
More information

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
More information

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

"In India, Audi‘s connection with the consumer is very strong. We have really built wonderful products with the consumer in mind and the engagement with them is very distinctive. The multi-city Audi Q-Drives will further establish our connect with our target consumers and help us to explore the huge potential that India has to offer. Our luxury Q range of SUVs has been very popular in The Land of quattro-India and the younger demographic has shown immense affinity for them even in the smaller cities. In fact a substantial part of sales last year came from Audi Q3, Audi Q5 and Audi Q7," said, Joe King, Head, Audi India.