After launching the next-generation A5 and Q5, as well as the electric A6 and Q6 E-Tron models recently, Audi is now fully implementing its new design language across all its models, with the all-new Q3 next to receive the treatment.
The BMW X1 rival finally enters its third generation, gaining numerous changes and updates to the interior, exterior, under the hood, and, most importantly, under the body.
Starting on the exterior, the front fascia features the now prominent split headlight design that separates the daytime running lights from the standard lights. The upper part houses the daytime running lights, which are easily the most visible. The main matrix LED headlights are carefully camouflaged behind heavily tinted glass, surrounded by glossy black trim. As far as technology goes, Audi usually leads the way, and they experimented further with the lights because a single headlight contains a whopping 25,600 micro-LEDs, each roughly half the thickness of a human hair, improving illumination while simultaneously making one light cost a fortune.
The rear lights resemble those of the new A6 and can flank an illuminated badge. They also have a separate positioning scheme featuring the taillights with a lower LED light bar, combined with an upper OLED setup. You can modify the look of the rear lights by choosing from one of six available graphics, achieved by changing how the taillight’s 36 different segments are displayed. Lower down, you have real exhaust tips that are hidden beneath the newly revised lower bumper, avoiding the fake exhaust effect. Tire width has increased from 215 to 235 millimeters. You get 17-inch rims as standard, but you can have up to 20 inches on the higher trims.
The Q3 interior is a breath of fresh air with some noticeable features that give a familiar feel. There’s a new 12.8-inch touchscreen running Android Automotive rather than a proprietary operating system, while the driver also has an updated fully digital 11.9-inch instrument cluster. Now, here’s where things get weird in typical Audi fashion.
The gear selector has been moved from the center console to behind the right side of the steering wheel as a column mount. This allows for space between the front seats, two large cupholders, a cooled inductive charging tray, and dual USB ports all along the center console. Adding the gear selector to the column means the area behind the steering wheel would be crowded, so Audi engineers have designed a multi-purpose left stalk that incorporates controls for the windshield wipers, lighting functions, and turn signals. No longer will you have to pull the stalk up or down to signal your intended direction; instead, you’ll have to press buttons to turn on your signal indicators.
The crossover is practical, if you must know. With the rear seats upright, you have 488 litres of boot space available, and if you slide the seats forward, you have a capacity of 575 litres. If you still feel this isn’t enough, the process of folding the bench flat can unlock 1,386 litres.
The base Q3 comes with a mild-hybrid 1.5-liter turbocharged gasoline engine that can shut off two of its four cylinders to reduce fuel consumption when full power isn’t needed. This mild-hybrid unit produces 110 kW and 250 Nm, driving the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Audi will also offer a 110 kW/360 Nm turbodiesel motor—likewise driving the front axle—that it says is “particularly suitable for driving long distances.”
The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) Q3 version will generate 200 kW and 400 Nm, the setup will comprise a 25.7 kWh battery pack offering a “advance” all-electric range of up to a claimed 119 km on the WLTP cycle.
Then, you have a larger 2.0-liter gasoline engine producing 195 kW and 400 Nm, paired with Quattro all-wheel drive. On the diesel side, Audi offers the familiar 2.0 TDI rated at 148 hp and 266 lb-ft (360 Nm) in a front-wheel-drive configuration. Both engines use the same seven-speed S Tronic gearbox.
There is no confirmation of pricing and engine specifications that will be making their way into our market; however, a closer look at some markets that are nearer to us, like Australia, should give us an indication of what may wash up on our shores. The current Audi Q3 lineup is priced at R740,100 to R921,250.