Audi's Q3 has been a long time coming--we caught spy shots of it, learned it would be built in Spain by Seat, and even chased reports that it would eventually head to the U.S. Today, the smallest of Audi's crossovers, built on some of the same underpinnings as the Audi A3, entered production for Europe.
To bring off the Q3's production at Seat's Martorell, Spain plant, 450 new robots were installed in the new 323,000-square-foot body shop, added 700 jobs, and given staff a 180-hour training program to ensure the Q3 will be built to Audi standards. Audi calls the Q3 an "example of how we are making use of synergies within the Group."
As for the Q3 itself, it's a four-cylinder-powered 3,307-pound crossover. For Europe, the Q3 will launch with one diesel and two gasoline engines, with a more efficient diesel coming shortly after launch. If the Q3 makes it to America, we expect only to see the gasoline engines, a pair of TFSI 2.0-liter units rated at 211 and 170 horsepower. Quattro all-wheel drive is available across the line.
For the full details on the 2012 Audi Q3, see our preview from the Shanghai Auto Show.
