Audi-Q3-14-JPJ-0002

Regular contributor Anol Alias has sent us these pictures of an intriguing Audi Q3 1.4 TFSI at JPJ Putrajaya. We say intriguing because the Q3 is currently only available locally with a 2.0 TFSI four-cylinder engine, so this could be a new entry point to the small premium crossover here in Malaysia.

In other markets, the 1.4 litre turbocharged engine produces 148 hp from 5,000 rpm to 6,000 rpm and 250 Nm from 1,750 rpm to 3,000 rpm. The 1.4 TFSI variant is only available with front-wheel drive (as the lack of a "quattro" badge on this car shows) and in our market will almost certainly be mated to a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission.

Apart from the smaller engine and the removal of all-wheel drive, there doesn't seem to be anything lost in the transition from the base 2.0 TFSI, with the same bi-xenon projector headlights, LED tail lights and 17-inch wheels. The interior also looks to be the same, too, with dual-zone automatic climate control and the standard 10-speaker Audi Concert sound system.

With the A3 sedan already on its way (expected to be launched before the end of June), Audi distributor Euromobil seems determined to make a push downmarket. A price of under RM200k for this Q3 1.4 TFSI, by any chance?