Automotive

Audi gets sporty with Q3 inflatable camper and 525-hp A3 concept

Audi gets sporty with Q3 inflatable camper and 525-hp A3 concept
Audi Q3 with Heimplanet tent
Audi Q3 with Heimplanet tent
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The Audi Q3 gets outdoorsy
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The Audi Q3 gets outdoorsy
The A3 clubsport quattro gets a metallic fuel filler door
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The A3 clubsport quattro gets a metallic fuel filler door
The Heimplanet tent is specially built to secure to the Q3
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The Heimplanet tent is specially built to secure to the Q3
The front CFRP has curved edges that frame the air inlets
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The front CFRP has curved edges that frame the air inlets
The rear includes a diffuser
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The rear includes a diffuser
The active spoiler can assist the brakes, adding downforce on the rear axle and increasing stopping power
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The active spoiler can assist the brakes, adding downforce on the rear axle and increasing stopping power
The A3 clubsport quattro drives on 21-in wheels
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The A3 clubsport quattro drives on 21-in wheels
The new A3 concept has an extra set of sculpts over the front and rear tires
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The new A3 concept has an extra set of sculpts over the front and rear tires
A quattro badge in the honeycomb grille
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A quattro badge in the honeycomb grille
The Audi A3 clubsport quattro makes its debut at Wörthersee 2014
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The Audi A3 clubsport quattro makes its debut at Wörthersee 2014
The Audi A3 clubsport is powered by a 525-hp five-cylinder engine
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The Audi A3 clubsport is powered by a 525-hp five-cylinder engine
The A3 clubsport quattro flashes some extra muscle
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The A3 clubsport quattro flashes some extra muscle
Audi lists the 0-62 mph time as 3.6 seconds
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Audi lists the 0-62 mph time as 3.6 seconds
Audi A3 clubsport quattro working out on the track
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Audi A3 clubsport quattro working out on the track
Audi A3 clubsport quattro working out on the track
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Audi A3 clubsport quattro working out on the track
Audi A3 clubsport quattro working out on the track
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Audi A3 clubsport quattro working out on the track
Audi A3 clubsport quattro working out on the track
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Audi A3 clubsport quattro working out on the track
The Audi S3 and A3 clubsport quattro
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The Audi S3 and A3 clubsport quattro
The Audi S3 and A3 clubsport quattro
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The Audi S3 and A3 clubsport quattro
Audi uses its Wörthersee Q3 concept to showcase some sporty accessories
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Audi uses its Wörthersee Q3 concept to showcase some sporty accessories
The Q3 is ready for multi-day kayaking trips with its kayak rack and specialized tent
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The Q3 is ready for multi-day kayaking trips with its kayak rack and specialized tent
Like other Heimplanet tents, the Q3 camping tent uses inflatable beams
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Like other Heimplanet tents, the Q3 camping tent uses inflatable beams
The tent works with the Q3 to provide an outdoor shelter
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The tent works with the Q3 to provide an outdoor shelter
Audi says the tent sets up in seven minutes
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Audi says the tent sets up in seven minutes
The tent can be attached to the car or set up separately
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The tent can be attached to the car or set up separately
Audi Q3 with Heimplanet tent
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Audi Q3 with Heimplanet tent
Audi Q3 with Heimplanet tent
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Audi Q3 with Heimplanet tent
Audi Q3 with Heimplanet tent
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Audi Q3 with Heimplanet tent
The tent includes a vestibule and enclosed sleeping area
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The tent includes a vestibule and enclosed sleeping area
The tent is designed to hold up to 43.5 mph (70 km/h) winds
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The tent is designed to hold up to 43.5 mph (70 km/h) winds
Audi Q3 with Heimplanet tent
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Audi Q3 with Heimplanet tent
Audi Q3 with Heimplanet tent
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Audi Q3 with Heimplanet tent
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ulrich Hackenberg in the A3 clubsport quattro
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Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ulrich Hackenberg in the A3 clubsport quattro
View gallery - 33 images

Heimplanet makes some of the most interesting inflatable tents on the market, including the three-person Cave and two-person Wedge. Its latest tent may be its most interesting of all. The model is designed to hook up directly to the Audi Q3, offering a lightweight car-camping solution.

We spent a few days covering hardcore, off-road camper gear at the Overland Expo earlier this month. Audi has a lighter, simpler design in mind for adventure camping. It is showing the "Q3 camping tent" on a special outdoor version of the crossover at this weekend's VW Wörthersee event in Austria. The inflatable tent joins a kayak rack in giving the car a sporty edge.

"With an output of 130 kW (177 hp), the Q3 2.0 TDI makes no secret of its sportiness, yet feels at home on any kind of road thanks to such standard equipment as an electromechanical parking brake and the hill-start assist," Audi explains of its decision to use the Q3 as the base car.

Heimplanet designed the inflatable tent to fit the Q3. The tent can be secured to the open rear hatch of the car, creating an extended car/tent space, or set up as a freestanding unit. Audi says that it takes about seven minutes to set up from bag to fully inflated tent. The tent's structure can stand up to 43.5 mph (70 km/h) winds.

The tent can be attached to the car or set up separately
The tent can be attached to the car or set up separately

Some observers are comparing the tent to the one on the notorious Pontiac Aztec, but we've seen a few car-tent designs more recently. The Tipoo tent is a car-affixed tent that expands the sleeping capacity of the Yatoo camper-in-a-box system, while the Habitent makes a camper out of an unlikely base vehicle: the Toyota Prius.

The Q3 camper is one of several concepts that Audi is showing at Wörthersee. The headliner is the A3 clubsport quattro concept. Based on the S3 sedan, the car's 2.5-liter five-cylinder TFSI engine is cranked up to 525 hp – that's 211.7 hp per liter, 6.4 lb (2.9 kg)/hp. A series of modifications, including a larger turbocharger, modified intercooler and redesigned intake and exhaust systems, contribute to the power boost, which also comes with 443 lb-ft of torque available between 2,300 and 6,000 rpm. The A3 clubsport quattro shoots to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.6 seconds before reaching a top speed over 192 mph (310 km/h). A launch control system and electronic stabilization help drivers effectively hone all that output.

The A3 clubsport quattro flashes some extra muscle
The A3 clubsport quattro flashes some extra muscle

The quattro AWD system has been fortified to handle the increased amounts of torque of the clubsport engine tune. The multi-plate clutch on the rear axle is designed to divert part of the torque from the front to rear when the driver is engaged in quick cornering.

The car rides on McPherson front and four-link rear suspension. Retuned, driver-adjustable suspension settings lower the A3 clubsport quattro by 10 mm (.4 in) and package extra taut springs and dampers, adding to the car's sporty ride.

When it's time to bring the 525 ponies to rest, the A3 clubsport quattro relies on the four carbon fiber-ceramic disc brakes peeking out from behind the 21-in wheels rolled in 275/25 R21 tires. The concept also has an air brake system that deploys at higher speeds. The rear spoiler flips to near-vertical position to assist the disc brakes, with Audi claiming that the system decreases stopping distance by close to 40 feet (12 m) when used at 155 mph (250 km/h).

"The Audi A3 clubsport quattro concept shows our car and tuning fans at the Wörthersee just how much sporty potential there is in the A3 family and in our top‑of‑the‑line engines such as the 2.5 TFSI," explains Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development. "We have pushed the limits in every respect with this show car: power, dynamics, sound, design."

It may be based directly on the S3 sedan, but the A3 clubsport quattro distinguishes itself with some subtly altered body work. Audi has added straight side "blisters" above the front and rear wheels, broadening the car's shoulders. The Magnetic Blue body is complemented by a CFRP-underlined, matte-aluminum-framed grille, CFRP side sill trims, a round metal fuel door and smaller side mirrors. Aerodynamic treatments include the aforementioned active rear spoiler, a rear diffuser and a front splitter.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ulrich Hackenberg in the A3 clubsport quattro
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Ulrich Hackenberg in the A3 clubsport quattro

The clubsport quattro's four-person interior has bolstered front racing seats with gray piping and Sepang Blue contrast stitching. The headlining and pillars are dressed in Alcantara, and details include brushed aluminum inlays, stainless steel pedals and customized badging. The car features Audi's MMI navigation plus system.

In addition to the camper Q3 and A3 clubsport quattro, Audi is showing several previously revealed production models and concepts, along with a few other cars highlighting accessories. The greater Wörthersee event also includes several interesting Volkswagen car and truck debuts that we'll be looking at in the near future.

You can watch the Audi A3 clubsport quattro trailer below.

Source: Audi

View gallery - 33 images
3 comments
3 comments
turdferguson
just me or does that tent concept look like it's going to hold a lot of exhaust?
christopher
Pity they didn't get serious about this idea. With just a touch more engineering, they could have hooked the inflation up to the exhaust (or turbo manifold if you prefer plain air) and had a tent that sets up in just a few seconds, rather than a crazy 7 minutes.
isabel.leblink
This looks absolutely amazing! Sometimes tent camping can be such a hassle especially when driving through the night. I would PURCHASE ONE OF THESE in a second! Expect oh my goodness, why so expensive? Can my los angeles audi please start selling these any ways though?