Bestseller still capturing customers’ imagination

THE Audi Q3, a bestseller for more than a decade, aims to capture customers’ imagination as a “digital companion” in its third-generation incarnation.

The German carmaker says of the new car that “numerous innovative features turn the Audi Q3 into a digital companion”.

These new features ensure greater comfort and safety for the driver and other road users thanks to many assistance systems.

In addition to the well-balanced suspension, a high degree of personalisation 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 a partially electrified combustion engine with mild-hybrid technology and a plug-in hybrid model with an electric range of up to 72 miles.

Gernot Döllner, chief executive officer of Audi AG, said: “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 bestselling models.”

He said that with the third generation, Audi was strengthening its range with a powerful plug-in hybrid and efficient combustion engines.

And in addition to partially electrified combustion engines, the Audi Q3 offers a “new adaptive suspension that enables a balance between comfort and dynamics”.

Another Audi spokesperson added: “With the Audi Q3 interior, an innovative operating concept and numerous assistance systems increase safety and comfort and make the Audi Q3 the ideal digital companion for everyday life.”

There are the classic SUV advantages such as easy entry, excellent visibility, and a practical interior layout.

In addition, the Audi Q3 Sportback “combines the strengths of an SUV with the aesthetics of a coupé”. This gives it an even sportier appearance.

The rear section is adorned with 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 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 centre console 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, acoustic glazing for the front side windows comes as standard which makes for better interior acoustics, particularly at high speeds.

The 488-litre boot (375 litres on e-hybrid) also demonstrates the practicality of the Q3. With the seat bench folded down, the storage space for the Q3 increases to up to 1,386 litres (1,293 litres e-hybrid) and 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 Q3 has a towing capacity of up to 2,100kg.

The entry-level model in the Audi Q3 family is the Audi Q3 TFSI 150PS, a four-cylinder petrol engine with mild-hybrid technology.

The Audi Q3 TDI 150PS is particularly suitable for driving long distances.

The Audi Q3 e-hybrid 272PS can charge up to 50kW 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 72 miles.

The new Audi Q3 SUV launches in the UK this month (September), with the Q3 Sportback following in October.

The Audi Q3 SUV TFSI 150PS will be available in the UK at an entry-level price of £38,300 (on the road). The Audi Q3 SUV e-hybrid 272PS will start at £45,800 (on the road).