By Bill Buys, Community Newspaper Group motoring editor
SOON to arrive in the compact SUV sector is Audi's all-new Q3, a neat number that broke cover at the recent Shanghai Motor Show and is due to arrive here in the next few months.
Audi describes the Q3, the baby of the Q5 and Q7 family, as a premium compact SUV embodying sporty, efficient and versatile characteristics plus comfort, on or off the road.
The Q3 has coupe-like lines, and buyers can tailor it with various options to create a car that reflects their lifestyle while providing ample space for passengers.
The space story continues through to the cargo area: 460 litres, which can be increased to 1365 litres by folding down the split rear seat backs.
There’s a choice of three engines – one TDI (diesel) and two TFSI (direct-injection petrol) units, with engine specifications for Australia.
Engine output will range from 125kW to 155kW and there’s also a 2.0 TDI in the pipeline with 103kW and front-wheel drive that will average less than 5.2litres/100km.
The advanced driver assist systems are straight from the luxury class models and include park assist programs and hard-drive navigation system MMI navigation plus.
The Q3, which scored a five-star Euro Ncap safety rating, has a rigid, ultra-high-strength steel passenger cell.
The Q3 will combine all three of the initial engines with quattro permanent all-wheel drive, and seven-speed S-tronic is standard in all models with the most powerful TDI and TFSI engines.
Pricing and specification will be revealed closer to launch date.
To personalise the Q3 are luxury niceties such as an adaptive light system for the xenon-plus headlights, a panoramic glass roof, LED interior lighting package and power-adjustable front seats.
Driver aids include an automatic self-parking system, active lane assist that makes slight steering corrections to help stay in the lane and a speed limit display that recognises and presents important traffic signs.
Infotainment options include a smart hard-drive navigation system that displays high-resolution 3D graphics on a fold-out 7.0-inch colour monitor and a Bose surround sound system with 14 speakers and 465W.
There are also various interior colour choices and about a dozen body colours.