STUD or DUD: Is Audi's All-New Production Grille Treatment Getting You Juiced UP Or Is It Just MORE Of The Same 'Ol, Same 'Ol?

With every new product launch, we've heard the Spies loud and clear.

Comments ranged from mild to wild, but the trend line indicated something very clear: Audi's design has worn thin with in-market consumers. While other automakers aren't afraid to take risks, it seems that the four rings has been comfortable playing it safe.

Audi Q3

Well, that's about to change with the likes of the all-new A9 Concept set for a 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show debut and the production Q3 that had a coming out party today.

The new Q3 is important for the very simple reason that this is the very first production appearance of the company's all-new three-dimensional front grille. Though it may seem as though we're making something out of nothing, it was something debated when the current-gen BMW 3-Series first appeared with a 3D treatment that now adorns most of its latest vehicles.

While we expect the all-new Q7 and A4 to take this to another level, we were curious what your initial impressions were.

Is the all-new, 3D front grille design from Audi a STUD or a DUD?


Audi Q3

cidflekken - 11/7/2014 5:35:53 AM

-2 Boost

I think it looks a bit awkward and adds busy lines to the front end. Dislike.

Hawk - 11/7/2014 6:52:45 AM

-1 Boost

Wow, what a brilliant design idea - a bit of chrome between the headlights and the grill.
Like that's never been done before.
Oh, wait.. Didn't BMW already do that with the 3 and 4-series?
BTW, the grill still sucks.

Car4Life - 11/8/2014 9:48:18 AM

0 Boost

How embarrassing for Audi...they showed up to the red carpet and saw Mitsubishi was already wearing that grill, yikes!

MDarringer - 11/7/2014 8:30:46 AM

0 Boost

It's laughably bad.

TheSteve - 11/7/2014 9:15:04 AM

-1 Boost

A slightly more angular gaping hole. And now connected to the headlights. What brilliant innovation... not. I feel it's a move in the wrong direction. It gives me the impression of being more truck-like. I mean, like a Peterbilt.

carsnyc - 11/7/2014 10:23:58 AM

+1 Boost

Still the same beefed up VW, now with more chrome around the grill!

I was certainly hoping more from Audi. If this is the new direction they were promising, Lexus and BMW will eat it alive in the U.S.

jeffy210 - 11/7/2014 4:39:07 PM

+1 Boost

I'm actually not liking it as much. The Pre-FL A5 grill was too round, and this one is too angular. I think the 2013-2014 FL grill is a very good compromise.

blconn - 11/7/2014 4:41:33 PM

+3 Boost

Not a huge change but better from every angle.

MDarringer - 11/7/2014 9:58:54 PM

-2 Boost

you've seen one angle, dude

TheSteve - 11/8/2014 4:33:44 PM

+1 Boost

So far, 10 posts (excluding this one), and all but one are disliking it, or at least "not positive."