A while back we introduced the new Audi Q3 sport utility vehicle (SUV). It’s smart, modern and useful. Well, now there’s a choice thanks to the new version, the Q3 Sportback. The same convenience but with a sweeping, swept-back style.
The Audi Q3 Sportback
The Audi Q3 has been a well-established bestseller in the premium compact segment for more than 10 years now. This is the third generation of this compact SUV and it’s setting new standards in several respects.
In its exterior design, the Q3 conveys confidence. Numerous innovative features turn the Audi Q3 into, if you will, a digital companion; it is that advanced. These features provide a first-class user experience and ensure greater comfort and safety for the driver and other road users thanks to many assistance systems.
In addition to the well-balanced suspension, the digitalisation of light also enhances customer benefits. Adaptive, high-resolution light functions are made possible with the new micro-LED technology in the digital Matrix LED headlights. Another feature of the new Audi Q3 is an efficient, partially electrified combustion engine with mild-hybrid technology or alternatively there’s a plug-in hybrid model with an electric range of up to 72 miles.
The Smart Exterior
Compared to its predecessor, the new Audi Q3 Sportback presents an even more muscular stance at the kerb. Its body is defined by the perfect combination of rounded sections and precise lines, as can be seen in our images. The wide ‘Singleframe’ grille is positioned high up, and the sleekly tapered headlights create a focused look and are fully integrated into the vehicle's aerodynamic ‘Sportback’ concept. The design ensures a particularly efficient airflow around the front end. The controllable cool-air intake is installed in the area under the grille and ensures that the airstream can flow around this area with minimal losses. The parking sensors are also located there. The sensors for the driver assistance systems are installed behind the legendary four rings emblem, in place since the early days of Auto Union.
Viewed from the side, a horizontal shoulder line between the front and rear lights visually divides the car into two parts, creating a very special lighting effect. The upper side catches the light, while the lower side falls into shadow. In conjunction with the steeply sloping D-pillars, this makes the cabin appear even more dynamically-shaped. The powerfully emerging blisters from the shoulder area of the front and rear wheels are reminiscent of the original quattro.
The rear also features a clean design. Separated from the two-part rear lights, the precisely drawn narrow light strip cuts sharply across the entire width of the vehicle (S line and above), giving the rear that clean look. Below this runs a wide area where the diffuser is integrated into the raised bumper.
A Premium Interior
The design and functionality have been significantly upgraded. A generous application area, the so-called ‘Softwrap’, extends from the doors across the entire width of the dashboard, highlighting the horizontal alignment for a maximum sense of space. The panoramic display with 11.9 inch instrument cluster and 12.8 inch multi-media interface (MMI) touch display forms the digital stage. Its curved design creates a driver-oriented cockpit layout. This demonstrates that Audi is filtering down the technology from it’s high-end products.
A head-up display (part of the optional Sound & Vision Pack, but free on e-hybrid models) for important information supplements the digital displays. Flat door handles and a modern, uncluttered console underscore the feeling of space and comfort. The new steering wheel control unit has great practical benefits. It integrates two new steering column levers for the first time, thus creating more storage space in the centre console for a better sense of space. The lever on the right serves as a gear selector (column-shift anyone?), the one on the left as a control element for the light functions and wind-shield wipers. The elimination of the gear selector in the centre console results in more space in the console with two cup holders. The cooled inductive charging tray with 15 watts of charging power including two USB-C ports can be closed by a sliding cover if desired. Two additional USB-C ports are located in the rear.
In the dark, the ‘as standard’ ambient light plus package highlights the interior ambiance. Marker lights in the dashboard and centre console place emphasis on the interior's clear lines. Indirect ambient lighting below the MMI panoramic display and in the doors accentuate the interior design.
As a new design element, the front doors are now fitted with large-area colour-variable illumination and a light source in the door trim backlights five segments which, due to their different sizes, show a dynamic lighting progression, even when unlocking and locking the vehicle.
The speakers of the new ‘SONOS’ premium sound system (part of the Sound & Vision Pack) are located in the upper section of the doors, providing an intense listening experience with its new virtually generated surround sound. Twelve high-performance speakers including the centre speaker and subwoofer are driven by 420 watts of maximum amplifier power. Customers can choose from four preconfigured sound profiles (neutral, concert, lounge, and podcast). They also have the option of expanding their sound experience with features that can be added at any time via ‘Functions on Demand’.
The infotainment system of the Audi Q3 uses ‘Android Automotive OS’ as its operating system. Third-party apps such as YouTube are available from the Audi Application Store, which is directly integrated into the MMI and therefore does not require a smartphone to use. Audi assistant, the learning voice-controlled assistant, can be used to operate numerous vehicle functions. The assistant is as ever enriched with AI and integrated directly into the vehicle. It appears for the first time as an avatar in the central touch display of the MMI and, when active, also as an icon in the head-up display or Audi virtual cockpit. The input understood by the Audi assistant is also shown in the instrument display.
The furnishings and fittings are not only particularly user-centric but was also designed with sustainability in mind. Fast-growing, resistant wood is used for wood applications. The interior elements in ‘lmpressum’ cloth are made from one-hundred percent recycled polyester. The upholstery fabrics are also made entirely from recycled polyester. The velvet velour floor mats are made from yet another man-made material,‘Econyl’, which is a completely recycled nylon fibre made from old fishing nets, carpet remnants, and industrial waste. Audi is thereby focusing on a future-oriented and efficient use of resources in the Audi Q3, it seems.
The 488litre boot/trunk (375 litres on e-hybrid) demonstrates the practicality of the Audi Q3. If the seat bench is slid all the way forward and placed in an upright position, the result is 575 litres.
With the seat bench folded down, the storage space is 1,289 litres (1,196 litres e-hybrid) in the Q3 Sportback. The seat bench can be moved lengthwise, and its angle can be adjusted as standard. The Audi Q3 can tow up to 2,100kg.
The Power
The entry-level model in the Audi Q3 family is the Audi Q3 TFSI 150PS, a four-cylinder petrol engine with mild-hybrid technology and standard seven-speed ‘S tronic’ auto gearbox. It delivers 150PS (148BHP) of power and its highlight is the ‘cylinder-on-demand’ (COD) system, which temporarily shuts down the second and third cylinders at low and medium loads. To be introduced later in the year and positioned above the entry-level unit is the Audi Q3 TFSI quattro 204PS, which develops 320Nm of torque and 201BHP.
The Audi Q3 TDI 150PS (diesel) is particularly suitable for driving long distances. It rolls off the line with front-wheel drive and seven-speed S tronic as standard. Its 150PS and 360Nm of torque ensure low fuel consumption on long journeys. Meanwhile, the ‘plug-in hybrid’ (PHEV) is equally predestined for long distances, but with electric support. It is more powerful and more efficient than ever before. In combination with the electric motor (115PS and 330 Nm torque), the Audi Q3 e-hybrid offers a total system output of 272PS (268BHP) and 400Nm of system torque.
The most powerful of the combustion engines is the Audi Q3 TFSI quattro 265PS with all-wheel-drive. A 2.0-litre four cylinder engine with the seven-speed S tronic is responsible for propulsion. It delivers 265PS (261BHP) and 400Nm of torque to all four wheels.
The Audi Q3 TDI 150PS is particularly suitable for driving long distances. It rolls off the line with front-wheel drive and seven-speed S tronic as standard. Its 150PS and 360Nm of torque ensure low fuel consumption on long journeys.
The plug-in hybrid (PHEV) is equally predestined for long distances, but with electric support. It is more powerful and more efficient than ever before. In combination with the electric motor (115PS and 330 Nm torque), the Audi Q3 e-hybrid offers a total system output of 272PS and 400Nm of system torque.
Get in touch with our highly experienced colleagues here at MHH International for your next Audi.