Audi has been in a little bit of a lull in the previous couple of years, with a lineup that is completely fantastic however not notably thrilling or compelling. As next-generation variations of Audi’s lineup and new fashions alike start to hit American streets, with vehicles resembling the third-gen Q5 and the brand new Q6 e-tron displaying some strong promise, now it is the standard Audi Q3’s flip for a brand new lease on life. Audi simply unveiled the third technology of its compact crossover for the European market, and by the appears to be like of it, Audi might need a winner on its fingers.
The model’s new company design language fits the compact Q3 fairly properly. It advantages from a lot of the identical options as its bigger stablemates with options like customizable LED working lights that sit above the headlights, sturdy and sweeping physique strains, a rear LED gentle bar, and tech-heavy inside setting all making it appear like a compelling contender within the aggressive compact crossover market.
It positive factors a techy new inside
The Q3 options Audi’s new steering wheel management unit, a horizontal bar mounted behind the wheel that replaces conventional column-mounted stalks just like the flip sign and windshield wiper stalks. As a substitute, the fitting facet of the steering wheel management unit homes the brand new Q3’s gear selector, and the left facet of it homes a toggle that operates like a standard flip sign stalk when tapped up or down and operates the excessive beams as common, but additionally homes your wiper controls with a button on the tip of the toggle for a single wipe or spray, and a tiny dial to deal with wiper velocity with a tiny button under it to function the rear wiper. It sounds complicated as a result of it’s, however it’s most likely one other bizarre factor that can normalize after a number of months of possession.
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Past the unusual new steering wheel management unit, the Q3’s inside is saddled with a 12.8-inch infotainment display powered by Android Automotive OS and an 11.9-inch digital gauge cluster that each dwell in a single curved panoramic show topping the dashboard. The brand new Q3 additionally ups its ambient lighting recreation as appears to be required for its class, with non-compulsory backlit door panels that function dynamic integration with completely different automobile features like locking and unlocking the doorways. Out there premium options resembling acoustic glazing for the entrance facet home windows and an non-compulsory 12-speaker 420-watt Sonos sound system are positive to make the cabin a quiet area or a sound stage relying in your persuasion. Q3 consumers are spoiled for alternative with 9 accessible inside packages with varied environmentally acutely aware supplies to select from.
Europe will get 5 powertrain choices
People not often obtain greater than two or three accessible powertrains when new European fashions make their method over, however as of now Audi will provide 5 completely different powertrains for the brand new Q3 with both gasoline, diesel, or plug-in hybrid gasoline varieties, with the PHEV being a primary for the mannequin. The entry-level Q3 SUV TFSI 110 kW has, you guessed it, 110 kW of energy or 147 horsepower from a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-4 with mild-hybrid integration and cylinder deactivation that lets it run on as few as two cylinders. Above that’s the Q3 SUV TFSI 150 kW with 201 hp and 236 lb-ft, and the highest gasoline engine choice is the Q3 SUV TFSI Quattro 195 kW that makes 261 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, each utilizing turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinders. When you choose burning diesel as a substitute of gasoline, Audi has you lined with the Q3 SUV TDI 110 kW that produces 147 horsepower and a strong 265 lb-ft of torque.
The Q3 SUV e-hybrid 200 kW is the plug-in hybrid that makes use of a 25.7 kWh (19.7 kWh usable) high-voltage battery pack powering an 114-hp electrical motor paired with a gasoline engine for a complete output of 268 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. It is rated for a powerful 75 miles within the European WLTP take a look at cycle, which is normally extra optimistic than the American EPA cycle. It may cost at a most of fifty kW, permitting a 10-to-80% cost in beneath half-hour in excellent circumstances. These are fairly spectacular figures, however there isn’t any phrase but on if the PHEV will make it to the U.S. market.
Three completely different suspension setups
Probably the greatest issues about shopping for a “premium automobile” is that additional assets are imagined to be devoted to enhancing the driving expertise, and it looks like Audi has labored on that with the brand new Q3. It affords a regular steel-spring suspension, a sports activities suspension, and a suspension with two-valve damper management to calculate the perfect damping for every wheel in a fraction of a second to maximise trip consolation and stability whereas additionally contributing to a sporty driving expertise — in principle, at the least. Audi claims its new non-compulsory progressive steering system enhances the Q3’s agility as effectively, by allegedly transmitting steering inputs extra on to the wheels, and Quattro fashions have an Offroad Plus drive mode in case you find yourself in a sticky scenario.
The brand new Q3 can even function loads of driver-assistance know-how, together with adaptive cruise management, lane departure warning with emergency help, site visitors signal recognition, consideration and fatigue warning with driver monitoring, and energetic entrance help with evasion and turning help, entrance cross site visitors help, and entrance emergency brake help. The Adaptive Driving Help Plus has automated cruise management with lane steerage and a lane change assistant perform with an information plan that features a three-year free interval earlier than a payment is required. The inside monitoring digital camera checks for drowsiness and focus, and the system can pull over onto the shoulder and telephone emergency providers in excessive conditions. It additionally positive factors a notable new function that house owners with difficult driveways and parking heaps will love referred to as Skilled Parking. This permits drivers to “train” their Q3 sure parking maneuvers, with the automobile capable of keep in mind as much as 5 maneuvers at as much as 164 ft in size. The driving force solely must carry out the maneuvers as soon as.
The 2026 Audi Q3 goes on sale in Germany later this yr. Particulars concerning the U.S.-spec Q3, together with pricing, must be accessible within the coming months.
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