The Audi Q3 has been a well-established bestseller in the premium compact segment for more than ten years. Now the third generation is setting new standards in several respects. The modern SUV’s exterior exudes self-confidence and emotion. Numerous innovative features turn the Audi Q3 into a digital companion. They provide a first-class user experience and also 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 digitalization of light also enhances customer benefits. A high degree of personalization and 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 and a plug-in hybrid model with an electric range of up to 119 kilometers (preliminary figures).
Gernot Döllner, CEO of AUDI AG: “With a total of more than two million vehicles sold worldwide since the launch of the first generation, the Audi Q3 is one of our best-selling models and has a high status in our product portfolio. With the third generation of the Audi Q3, we are renewing an important model family as part of our product initiative and strengthening our range with a powerful plug-in hybrid and efficient combustion engines. The new model combines efficiency, driving dynamics, and comfort.” In addition to efficient and partially electrified combustion engines, the Audi Q3 offers a new adaptive suspension that enables a balance between comfort and dynamics. Geoffrey Bouquot, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development at AUDI AG, adds: “With the Audi Q3 interior, we are transferring the digital stage from the full-size class to the compact segment. An innovative operating concept and numerous assistance systems increase safety and comfort and make the Audi Q3 the ideal digital companion for everyday life.”
Compared to its predecessor, the new Audi Q3 has an even more emotional design.The wide Singleframe and the sleekly tapered headlights are fully integrated into the aerodynamic concept. Viewed from the side, a horizontal shoulder line between the headlights and rear lights visually divides the car into two parts, creating a very special distribution of light and shadow.
The rear section is adorned with optional digital OLED rear lights, complemented by a continuous LED light strip and the illuminated rings. This level of lighting technology offered in the new Audi Q3 is available for the first time in the Audi compact segment.
The front of the compact SUV features digital Matrix LED headlights that use the micro-LED module for the first time in the Audi Q3. The use of this micro-LED technology improves illumination significantly and thus ensures a strong contrast on the road. The light guidance functions are now much more closely linked to the driver assistance functions. The digital daytime running lights with LED technology, consisting of 23 segments per side, create distinctive light signatures that make the vehicle easily recognisable on the road.
In the interior, the new steering wheel control unit means more storage space in the center console, a new user experience, and a better sense of space. The steering wheel control unit integrates two new steering column levers for the first time. The lever on the right serves as a gear selector, the one on the left as a control element for the light functions and windshield wipers. Also for the first time in the compact segment at Audi, it is possible to order acoustic glazing for the front side windows, which makes for better interior acoustics, particularly at high speeds. The 488-liter trunk volume (17.2 cu ft) also demonstrates the practicality of the Audi Q3. With the seat bench folded down, the storage space for the Audi Q3 increases to up to 1,386 liters (48.9 cu ft). The seat bench can be moved lengthwise, and its angle can be adjusted as standard. The SUV has a towing capacity of up to 2,100 kilograms (approx. 4,630 lb).
The entry-level model in the Audi Q3 family is the Audi Q3 SUV TFSI 110 kW1, a four-cylinder gasoline engine with mild-hybrid technology. The Audi Q3 SUV TDI 110 kW2is particularly suitable for driving long distances. The Audi Q3 SUV e-hybrid 200 kW3 can charge up to 50 kW with DC power under ideal conditions and is more powerful and efficient than ever before. A high-voltage battery with a gross capacity of 25.7 kWh (net 19.7 kWh) was installed for that purpose. This battery enables an electric range of up to 119 kilometers (preliminary figures) in the WLTP test cycle.
The further developed standard suspension delivers an improved driving experience. The sports suspension and the suspension with two-valve damper control are available as options for an optimally balanced driving experience. One driving assistance highlight is the adaptive driving assistant plus. For even greater safety on the road, an interior camera also monitors the driver for signs of drowsiness and lack of concentration. Trained parking allows customers to teach the Audi Q3 individual parking maneuvers, and the new reverse assist reliably helps you to back out of dead ends.
Dynamic design
Compared to its predecessor, the new Audi Q3 has an even more muscular and emotional design. Its body is defined by the perfect combination of rounded sections and precise lines. The wide Singleframe is positioned high up, and the sleekly tapered headlights create a focused look and are fully integrated into the vehicle’s aerodynamic concept. The design ensures a particularly efficient airflow around the front end. The controllable cool-air intake is installed in the area under the Singleframe 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 four rings.
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 greenhouse appear even more dynamic. 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 clear design. Separated from the two-part rear lights, the precisely drawn narrow light strip cuts sharply across the entire width of the vehicle, giving the rear a clean look. Below this runs a wide, visually calm area. The diffuser is integrated into the raised bumper.
The S line equipment with differentiated front and rear bumpers and add-on parts in selenite silver is available as an option to the standard equipment. The exterior package is also available in black, with black add-on parts. Eleven colours are available for the new Audi Q3 models, including the Arkona white solid paint finish. Glacier white, Mythos black, Arrow grey, Tambora grey, Progressive red, and Navarra blue are available as metallic paint finishes. These are joined by the new colours Sage green and Madeira brown. Madeira brown as a matt paint finish is exclusive to the new Audi Q3. The Daytona grey metallic paint finish is also available for the S line. Tambora grey is only available for the advanced line.
The aerodynamics and overall vehicle acoustics have been significantly improved compared to the predecessor. In addition to the drag coefficient of 0.30, the focus is primarily on acoustic comfort. The new Audi Q3 is the first Audi model in the compact segment to offer acoustic glazing for the front side windows. In combination with optimized sealing and insulation in the vehicle, this creates a harmonious acoustic concept with a noticeable improvement in driving comfort.