New Third-Gen Audi Q3 Revealed

New third-gen Audi Q3 bows with an all-new design inside and out, followed by a wide range of powertrains, plus a raft of tech.

After initially teasing it last week, German luxury automaker Audi finally took the wraps off the new third-generation iteration of one of its best-sellers (over 2 million units sold), that being the Q3 compact crossover SUV.

Audi’s BMW X1 rival arrives in its latest guise rocking new split headlights and taillights design, the former boasting the four-ringed marque’s signature matrix LED DRLs, whilst the latter sports a trendy full-width lightbar.

Striking new design touches include the new split headlights, trendy full-width taillight bar, 17-inch and 20-inch rolling stock, and more. 

Overall, the exterior design in this third-gen model appears more rounded and curvaceous than before, which gets matched with 17-inch and 20-inch rolling stock -depending on variant of course.

Besides a drag coefficient figure of 0.30, Audi confirmed an S-Line design option with unique bumpers as well as selenite silver accents will be available too. Beyond which, Audi didn’t elaborate much on this front.

On board, the new third-gen Q3 has gained significant redesign plus a raft advanced new tech too - the latter includes an AI--infused Audi assistant.

Moving inside and the interior has undergone a significant transformation as Audi ditches both buttons and a traditional shifter. In fact, the latter has been replaced with a lever on the right side of the redesigned steering wheel.

Notably, the new Q3 gains supersized displays, evident through the 11.9-inch digital instrument panel and a 12.8-inch infotainment interface. Joining them is a revamped centre console brimmed with a wireless smartphone charger.

Closer inspection reveals Audi completely transformed the signal stalk and buttons combination interface.

Audi didn’t provide many details but did note the new Q3 will be offered with an assortment of light packages that add ‘marker lights’ on the dashboard and centre console, as well as illuminated door panels with “dynamic lighting progression.”

Present too is a 12-speaker Sonos premium audio system, followed by an AI-infused Audi assistant that appears as an avatar on the infotainment system, and newly available acoustic glazing for the front side glass.

Enlarged digital displays, dynamic ambient lighting, as well as sustainable Impressum and Econyl materials headline the changes in the Q3's cabin.

Audi also adopted sustainable new Impressum cloth made from 100% recycled polyester as well as velvet velour floor mats constructed out of Econyl - “completely recycled nylon fibre made from old fishing nets, carpet remnants, and industrial waste.”

As for rear seat passengers, Audi provides a sliding seat with an adjustable backrest. Behind which comes a standard boot space of 488 litres, which is expandable up to a cavernous 1,386 litres with the second-row seats folded down.

The second-row seat can slide forwards and back, and comes with an adjustable backrest. As for boot space, there's 488 litres available as standard, and it's expandable up to 1,386 litres.

Under the hood, Audi have readied a series of powertrains to suit just about anyone. Firstly comes 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre TFSI petrol 4-cyl mild-hybrid (MHEV) options, the former rated at 148 HP whilst the latter boasts 261 HP and 400 NM outputs instead.

Next comes a familiar 2.0-litre TDI 4-cyl diesel choice rated at 148 HP and 360 NM. No quattro all-wheel-drive (AWD) for the oil-burner detailed, but the peppier 2.0-litre petrol choice noted does. All mills detailed share the same 7-speed DCT box too.

Audi have readied two TFSI MHEV powertrain choices, followed by one TDI diesel option, plus an electrified PHEV selection too.

Audi also has a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) option available, and this pairs a 1.5-litre 4-cyl petrol mill with an e-motor and a 19.7 kWh battery pack. Unique here too is this powertrain’s pairing with six-speed automatic box instead.

Total system output here stands at 268 HP and 400 NM, and there’s even up to 120 KM of electric range. Notable here too is the electrified half’s ability to draw in 50 kW DC charging input, which sees 10-80% re-charges in just 30 minutes.

European sales are set to commence in Sept this year, with other markets to follow suite after.

European sales are set to commence starting Sept this year, with other markets to follow suit after.  What’s unclear still is if Audi will spawn a hotter new RS Q3 out of this new third-gen model.

Furthermore, an all-electric version is currently in the pipeline, but no word yet on when it will debut.