Behind the Wheel With Audi’s Controversial New Stalk

[Source: The Drive]

The all-new Audi Q3 seems to have a lot going for it. However, anytime a popular vehicle is redesigned, there is always going to be some handwringing over a feature or two. With the Q3 that feature is the new steering wheel control unit that includes a stalk for changing gears and another for lighting and other functions. The folks at The Drive recently spent time with the new Q3 and its controversial new stalk. Is it needlessly over engineered or a welcomed improvement?

First, a bit more detail on the stalk in question. What Audi was aiming for was the creation of more space in the cabin. To do that, they removed the gear selector from the center console and placed it on a stalk behind the steering wheel on the right side. A stalk on the left side controls the lighting functions and windshield wiper and cleaning functions. It is going to take a bit of getting used to as people are not used to controls like this.

Operation

The gear selector side is fairly simple and straightforward. But what about that left stalk that controls so many features? “Need to flash your high beams? Pull on the stalk, just as you would on most cars. Want to leave those on for an extended time? Push the stalk away from you, and the high beams will stay on until you pull it back. How about the turn signals? Easy, click up for the right signal and click down for the left signal,” says The Drive.

The wipers will take a bit more getting used to. According to The Drive, “To activate one pass of the front wiper, press the button located at the tip of the stalk. To spray the windshield with cleaning fluid, hold that same button down for a couple of seconds. There’s a separate button for the rear wiper, located right next to it, which uses the same commands for the same actions.” There is also a small click wheel that you use to control the automatic wiper function and the frequency of the wipes.

Overall, it seems all the handwringing is over nothing. The stalk looks good; frees up the space Audi intended and seems appropriate in an advanced technology cabin like that of the Q3. It will just take a little bit of time to get used to it.