Whittled down from all the cars in the world, a group of 66 automotive journalists from across the globe have released their top 10 picks for the 2012 World Car of the Year and World Performance Car.

That list, which will be further narrowed this month, is initially selected by secret ballot and then submitted for re-evaluation by the panel.

Members then have a chance to rate each car based on overall merit, value, safety, environmental responsibility, emotional appeal, and significance. The top three are then scheduled to be announced March 6 at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show during a press conference.

The 2011 World Car of the Year was the Nissan Leaf, while the World Performance Car was the Ferrari 458 Italia. What we’re most curious about this year is the fact that the Porsche 911 made it into both categories.

The 2012 World Performance Car finalists are:

• Audi RS 3 Sportback
• BMW 1 Series M Coupé
• BMW M5
• Chevrolet Camaro ZL1
• Ferrari FF
• Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4
• McLaren MP4-12C
• Mercedes-Benz CLS 63 AMG
• Mercedes-Benz C-63 Coupe AMG Black Series
• Porsche 911

The 2012 World Car of the Year finalists are:

• Audi A6 Sedan / Avant
• Audi Q3
• BMW 1 Series
• BMW 3 Series
• Chevrolet Volt / Opel/Vauxhall Ampera
• Citroen DS5
• Ford Focus
• Land Rover Evoque
• Porsche 911
• Volkswagen Up!

Be sure to tune in for our coverage of the 2012 Geneva Auto Show, where we’ll be bringing you the latest. Also, let us know what you think of both lists in the comments section below.

Audi has unveiled a themed vehicle in the form of their Q3 compact SUV at this year’s Detroit Auto Show. The Audi Q3 Vail is named after the famous winter sports venue in the US with winter sports and functionality as its theme.

The themed design targets young enthusiasts of winter sports who love skiing or snowboarding and represents a new, potential variation on the SUV concept. The Q3 Vail sports an Energy Red exterior that features gold pearl while the add-on body parts are finished in a matte gray quartz-based paint. Aluminum and glossy black details also enhance the exterior styling.

Features that caught our eye on the Q3 Vail include the flared wheel arches and running boards which Audi announced that they plan to incorporate into the extensive range of Q3 accessories. Up top, the aluminum roof rails were designed specifically for transporting skis and snowboards, with their display vehicle rocking carbon fiber sports equipment.

Wheels for the Q3 Vail come in the form of 20×8.5-inch in a high-gloss finish mated to 255/45/20 off-road tires. The interior continues the same color scheme as the exterior with a titanium gray Alcantara headliner while the majority of the interior is black with red accents. Aluminum is used to highlight the instrument cluster while other trim pieces have been finished in high-gloss black.

And for the winter sports fans, the side wall of the trunk houses a charging station and can also be used to store flashlights while charging them inductively at the same time. There is also a Thermos bottle in the cup holder between the front seats that’s able to chill or warm drinks. Both sport LED lights to show the current charge level, while the flashlights can also play double-duty to warm your hands of ski boots thanks to an infrared heating element.

Powering the Q3 Vail is a 2.5L turbocharged, five-cylinder TFSI powerplant with 314-hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The Q3 Vail is a great concept in showing off what the new Audi model can potentially do for the everyday consumer.

GALLERY: Audi Q3 Vail Official Photos

GALLERY: Audi A3 Vail Debut

Audi is still debating on whether or not to give us the Q3 crossover, which they secretly know would sell in droves to the purse-dog-carrying set. And to tantalize us even more, they’ve gone ahead and built some with the 2.5-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder that propels the TT-RS and RS3.

Like Germany’s answer to the GMC Typhoon, the Q3 comes with all-wheel drive and turbocharged motivation, in this case producing 300 horsepower instead of the  340 in the RS models. The Q3 also gets stealth mode: the only clue to the über-engine are small 2.5 TFSI badges and a new wheel and tire package.

The Q3 won’t go on sale in Europe for another year, and won’t go on sale in America until the end of time. But given Audi’s sales successes in America, one year will be ample time for its bosses to reconsider granting us the quick cute-ute.

[Source: Car and Driver]

Audi’s latest cute-ute (are people still using that phrase anymore?) is entering production in Spain, at the clip of 100,000 per year.

The Q3 will be built in Martorell, Spain, in a plant normally reserved for SEAT. Volkswagen recently spent about 330 million Euros in upgrading the facility in anticipation, and is betting big on the Q3: hopefully it can reclaim the crown of Europe’s favorite premium SUV away from the BMW X1.

“The Q3 production is an example of how we are making use of synergies within the Group,” said Frank Dreves, an Audi board member. “The Martorell factory is an extremely productive facility with a highly skilled workforce, and one that meets the exacting quality standards of our brand.”

The Audi Q3 starts in Germany at €29,900. Word’s still mum on whether handbag-dwelling chihuahuas will be glaring down the precariously close bumpers of left lane “hogs” on this side of the Atlantic.

While Audi’s plans for the U.S. market originally did not include the compact Q3 crossover, but Audi is re-considering the decision to not import the car after seeing the segment expand with offerings like the MINI Countryman, BMW X1 and the Nissan Juke.

While the Q5 starts at $35,200, Audi would likely have to price it closer to the MINI Countryman which retails between $21,650 and $26,950. A sub-$30,000 price tag might be uncomfortable for Audi and its positioning as a premium brand, but with the small crossover segment growing, it could be a chance for Audi to increase their overall volume in North America.

The Q3 would likely be powered by the corporate 2.0T engine, with the possibility of a 2.0L TDI diesel engine as well. The diesel offering could allow the Q3 to stake out a niche within the segment, and remain consistent with Audi’s overall diesel strategy.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

Audi has finally unveiled the Q3, the compact SUV ready to do battle against the BMW X1.

In Audi’s relentless quest to leave no niche unturned, the Q3 is the dinghy to the Q5′s and Q7′s superyachts. At about 14.4 feet long, it’s a tick bigger than the A3, at 13.9 feet, and its styling—which Audi says is “coupe-like” and “one-of-a-kind among SUVs” mimics that of its older siblings to a tee.

Under the hood, the Q3 will be equipped with four engines: a 140-horsepower 2.0 TDI diesel and two TFSI gasoline engines with either 170 or 211 horsepower. All three are turbocharged and direct-injected, and all three feature energy-recovery and start-stop systems for maximum mileage-wringing. In true Audi form, quattro and trick transmissions will be available, including a six-speed manual and a seven-speed S-tronic.

Technology options include a 14-speaker Bose surround-sound system, LED headlights with corner-adapting xenons, lane assist, hill hold assist, and self-parking with 12 sensors, and wireless Internet through Audi connect—accessible through a 7-inch screen that pops up from the dash.

When it goes on sale in June, Audi will offer off-roadand S Line sporty styling packages, and no less than twelve colors for the exterior. Expect at least 9 of those to be monochrome.

Audi has yet to announce if the Q3 will make its way to North America.

GALLERY: 2012 Audi Q3

Audi has released a number of sketches showing their forthcoming Q3 crossover, based on the Volkswagen Tiguan, that will serve as an entry-level vehicle for the brand.

The Q3 is unlikely to come to North America, but its unveiling at the Shanghai Auto Show should give a clue as to where Audi anticipates a fair portion of sales to come from. Its main rival, the BMW X1, is notable for being rear-drive-based as opposed to the Q3′s front-drive underpinnings, but nobody buying this car will notice or care which wheels are being driven.

Styling-wise, the Q3 looks about the same as every Audi on the market today, while the Tiguan’s lineup of gasoline and diesel 4-cylinders will provide some oomph.

Gallery: Audi Q3 Sketches

Volkswagen‘s Spanish subsidiary SEAT is preparing to take on the task of assembling Audi‘s Q3 compact crossover, at their plant outside of Barcelona.

The move comes as a bit of a quid pro quo for Audi, since SEAT’s Exeo flagship is a re-badged Audi A4, and with SEAT’s flagging sales presenting an issue for Volkswagen’s overall profitability, the excess production capacity could be put to good use building a product that will surely be a hit. The move will also add between 700 and 1,200 jobs in a region that has been hit hard by the global recession.

The Q3 will share a platform with the upcoming Porsche Cajun, but the P-Car will be built at a separate facility in Leipzig, Germany.

[Source: SEAT]

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Initially, Audi hadn’t planned to bring its baby crossover across the pond, but with market demand for luxury compact crossovers exploding, the German automaker is poised to reconsider that move.

The small luxury CUV segment grew 22.3 percent last year, causing several manufacturers to bring new vehicles to market, including BMW with its X1.

Another reason for Audi’s change of mind might be the sales performance generated by the Q5, which has become one of Audi’s hottest selling models – in the US. .alone it has recorded a 70 percent sales increase year over year.

But it’s also been a big player on the global stage too – traditionally, most auto manufacturers have struggled to have a single best selling car in multiple markets, though the Q5 appears to be defying that trend.

According to Peter Schwarzenbauer, Audi’s global sales supremo “I don’t remember in my 25 years in the auto industry, one model that was successful in every country, but the Q5 was a huge hit around the world. We think the Q3 could write a similar success story.”

The possible North American introduction of the Q3 is part of Audi’s next phase of brand development, in which it hopes to sell around 200,000 units annually in the U.S. by 2018 as well as pushing into new segments, including higher price brackets and small cars. Audi of America CEO Johann De Nysschen says the brand is already drawing more affluent buyers than before thanks to the current A8; with additional movement in that direction expected in the foreseeable future.

He also hinted that the A1, Audi’s smallest vehicle, might eventually make it to the U.S., but that would have to wait until it’s redesigned once more, as the current A1 wasn’t conceived with North America in mind.

[Source: Ward's Auto World]

Audi may just be planning an onslaught of high-performance products at the upcoming Paris Auto Show, with the latest rumor suggesting the RS3 will finally make its production debut.

According to GermanCarBlog, dealers in the UK have already started taking orders for the car, which will be limited to just 2700 units. That number makes us suspicious of the rumor as its the same allocation of cars BMW is planning for the new 1 Series M Coupe. Then again, the RS3 would be a competitor for the 1M.

While no confirmed details about the car have been provided, its believe to use a 340-hp version of the turbocharged 2.5-liter 5-cylinder found in the TT-RS.

Other high-performance four-ringed products rumored to debut in Paris include the S1, S7 and R4 electric sports car.

According to GermanCarBlog, one individual who already placed his RS3 order was also told by his dealer that the Q3 would be unveiled in Paris.

We’ll be sure to keep you updated with full Paris Auto Show coverage starting Sept. 30th.

[Source: GermanCarBlog]