Road test:

Tago. Now the second generation version is here and much of its new looks and styling is down to an Englishman.

Matt Baggeley has spent the past four years honing this latest Q3 to give it a fresher appearance with more distinctive styling at both the front and rear ends, with loads of new technology on board, some pinched from the big Q8 model.

“We wanted to preserve the character of the SUV, keeping the balance but making it look distinctively different from the first generation car,” he told me. “The aim was to give it more presence with more aggressive styling cues, such as on the new front grille, and I feel it’s now more grown up.”

This new Q3, which is 97mm longer, 18mm wider and with a 77mm wider wheelbase than before, has an all round bolder look with much better front and tailgate lights design and a noticeably more upright hatchback shape at the back, and not slanting styling as previously.

The bigger measurements have been fully utilised in the cabin which is now much roomier with more head, leg and elbow room in both front and rear seats, making it a genuine five adult seater.

Available in three trims – Sport, S Line and Vorsprung – the new Q3 has a much nicer interior too with the smart three-dimensional fascia’s sweeping interior lines, lots of chrome trim finish and soft plastic trim.

The sport-styled front seats provide good, all round