Audi unwraps its next generation Q3

Impressive reincarnation offers a whole lot more.

I remember being dazzled by how good Audi’s Q3 was when it was released back in 2012.

Great looks, a high-up driving position, refinement, and just enough off road ability to see you through a hard winter were its hallmarks.

Fast forward six years, however, and a clutch of amazing new models have made the Audi look a little old hat.

Volvo’s XC40 and the Jaguar E-Pace (tested elsewhere in these pages) beat it on style and practicality.

It’s time for Audi to step up to the plate, and they have done so with this new second generation version of the car.

It has grown in size and is now 97mm longer and 18mm wider than its predecessor – sitting 4,485mm in length and 1,849 in width.

The result, Audi claims, is a car that offers more head, leg and elbow room for all occupants.

Boot size has been increased by more than 100 litres. The Q3 can now swallow 530 litres and the rear seats now slide, allowing you to increase the boot size to 675 litres – although of course you sacrifice rear passenger space to do so.

Fold the back seats down and there is now 1,525 litres – 200 more than before.

Inside, the cabin is dominated by screens on Sport and S Line models. Audi’s MMI infotainment system is projected on a 10.1-inch display in the centre console, while the firm’s “Virtual Cockpit” technology replaces analogue gauge clusters with an entirely digital, 10.25-inch screen.

Four engines will be available at launch – three petrol and a diesel. Petrol options are a 1.5-litre, 148bhp unit with a six-speed automatic gearbox, and two 2.0-litre engines follow – with 187bhp and 227bhp respectively. The latter two are offered with a seven-speed automatic transmission.

The sole diesel unit is a 2.0-litre, 148bhp unit paired to a six-speed manual gearbox. An automatic option will be offered later, as will a 187bhp variant of the engine.

Prices will be released ahead of the Q3 going on sale towards the end of the year.

The second generation Audi Q3 is bigger than the outgoing model. It goes on sale in the UK towards the end of 2018.