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Audi Q3 gets new look for new role

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The second generation Audi Q3 will arrive on UK roads in November, targeting the success of the rival Volvo XC40.

The Volvo, which launched in March, has effectively invaded the premium compact SUV battleground, winning the European Car of the Year title and proving so popular Volvo has had to increase production to try and reduce a long waiting list.

Audi says that the new Q3, which has traditionally battled the likes of the BMW X1, has been ‘brought right up to speed.’ Its market pitch will also be different, as will no longer be the entry level to Audi SUV ownership as was the first Q3 when it launched seven years ago. Since then, Audi has added the smaller Q2, which went on sale in 2016.

On the exterior, the new Q3 boasts a sharper profile intended to give it more presence, and directly evolved from Audi’s new premium model the Q8. The grille is larger, the side profile includes obvious creases and the LED headlamps are slimmer. And in a new move, owners will be able to order their cars with lower body panels in a contrasting colour to the upper section.

Audi Q3 The Car Expert

Moving the car further apart from the Q2 includes a significant growth in size – it is 10cm longer and 2cm wider than its predecessor, though slightly lower. The wheelbase grows by 8cm, which frees up significantly more interior space – Audi claims increased knee, head and elbow room.

The interior also benefits from Audi’s major advances in technology since the first Q3 appeared. The digital cockpit and MMI touch display cockpit systems will be offered as standard, and the latest smart infotainment and assistance technology now familiar of larger Audis will be available in the Q3.

Initial versions of the new Q3 will be offered with a choice of four engines, and reflecting changes in the market three of them will be petrol units.

Entry-level will be the Q3 35 TFSI with a 1.5-litre petrol unit of 150hp – this including cylinder on demand technology to improve efficiency when not under load. The 40 TFSI will use a 2.0-litre engine of 190hp, uprated to 230hp in the 45 TFSI.

The diesel version, the 35 TDI will be a 2.0-litre unit with 150hp, and it will be followed soon after launch by a 190hp version.

All Q3s will include Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system, apart from the 35 TFSI which will be front-wheel drive.

Prices of the Q3 will be revealed closer to its launch.

Latest news from the car industry at The Car Expert

Andrew Charman
Andrew Charman
Andrew is a road test editor for The Car Expert. He is a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers, and has been testing and writing about new cars for more than 20 years. Today he is well known to senior personnel at the major car manufacturers and attends many new model launches each year.