This all-new
second generation model was long overdue. Right off the bat, it’s obvious that Audi wanted to
leave the old Q3’s styling in the dust, by making this new crossover look more
aggressive from just about every angle, giving the BMW X1 a worthy opponent to
play with.
This new Q3 actually shares some of the Q8’s design
elements, especially when it comes to its profile. It also has vertical grille
bars like the Q8, or the A4/A6 Allroad duo. All other Audi models feature
horizontal bars. Other distinguishing features include a sportier-looking front
bumper, large taillights, and headlights that resemble those of the A3
Sportback in shape, only a little more pointy.
Audi has also expanded the overall size of the Q3,
making it approximately 9.65 cm longer than the older model, while
adding 7.6 cm to the wheelbase too. This means more room
for rear seat passengers, while still leaving 674 liters of cargo
space in the trunk – which you can then turn into 1,526 liters if
you fold the seats.
Inside, 2019 Q3 buyers will enjoy Audi’s 12.3-inch
Virtual Cockpit gauge cluster, plus an 8.8-inch center dash infotainment
display – with a larger 10-inch one available as an option. Features such as Apple CarPlay
and Android Auto are both standard, as are the two USB ports in the front.
There are also two additional USB ports and a 12-volt outlet for rear seat
passengers, plus available Wi-Fi hotspot. One cool piece of tech is the Connect
portfolio with “swarm intelligence”, a feature that helps cars communicate with
among themselves regarding road and weather hazards. The system will be
available in Europe and possibly in the U.S. too, although not at launch.
As for safety, the all-new 2019 Audi Q3 comes with
forward emergency braking, lane departure warning, rear cross-traffic alert,
plus adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist and active lane assist. Euro-spec models of the all-new
Audi Q3 will be available with four engine choices at launch: three petrol and
one diesel.
Entry-level petrol models will be powered by the 1.5-liter TFSI
unit producing 148 hp and 250 Nm of torque. The base Q3 will be
badged 35 TFSI and will also feature a cylinder deactivation system, as well as
a seven-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch transmission and front-wheel drive as
standard. A six-speed manual will follow on a later date.
Moving up the ladder we find Audi’s 2.0-liter turbo
four-cylinder TFSI offered in two power versions: the first one is the 40 TFSI,
offering 187 hp and 320 Nm of torque while the 45 TFSI model
gets 226 hp and 350 Nm. Both of them are paired to a
seven-speed dual-clutch automatic and the company’s Quattro all-wheel drive
system.
The diesel range will start off with the 2.0-liter
TDI producing 148 hp and 340 Nm of torque. Badged as the Q3 35
TDI, it’ll be initially available with a manual transmission and all-wheel
drive, with a seven-speed dual-clutch unit to follow on a later date. Audi also
plans to offer a more powerful version of the 2.0-liter TDI, with 187 hp in the near future.
The new model also gets automatic damping control
and a “dynamic handling system” with the following six drive modes: Auto,
Comfort, Dynamic, Offroad, Efficiency and Individual. European customers will land
their 2019 Q3 crossovers this November, while U.S. sales should commence at a
later date.
