Audi has officially unveiled its new Q3 baby SUV.
 
The Q3 is the third member of Audi’s SUV range, slotting in beneath the Q5 and Q7. The Q3 will rival the likes of the BMW X1, MINI Countryman and Range Rover Evoque and has been designed to provide the sportiest design in the class.
 
The large, single-frame grille, wedge-shaped xenon headlights with LED daytime running lights and large air inlets are designed to hint at the performance potential.
 
In profile the Q3 features a ‘tornado line’ along its length just below the windows, which teamed with the sills and arches provides a muscular look while the sloping roofline and D-pillars are intended to create the appearance of a coupe.
 
The rear-end styling is similar to that of its larger Q5 and Q7 siblings with a wraparound tailgate and narrow LED lights.
 
The Q3 will be available with a 168bhp and 208bhp version of the 2.0-litre TFSI turbocharged petrol engine and a 138bhp and 175bhp version of the 2.0-litre turbocharged TDI diesel engine. The 208bhp petrol with its 280lb ft torque will propel the Q3 from 0-62mph in 6.9sec, the same as the similarly engined Golf GTI. In two-wheel-drive form the 138bhp TDI will be able to achieve 54.3mpg.
 
The highest power petrol and diesel cars will get a seven-speed S-tronic paddle shift gearbox and quattro four-wheel drive as standard, while the base petrol and diesels will get front-wheel drive and a six speed manual as standard. After launch, the S-tronic automatic gearbox will become an option on the base cars as well.
 
Audi drive select will be an option on all Q3s, allowing the driver to choose between comfort, auto, dynamic and efficiency mode.
 
The Q3 measures 1.6m in height, 4.4m in length and 1.8m in width, and is 179mm taller, 152mm longer and 65mm wider than an A3. Despite its size and shape, the Q3 has a drag coefficient of just 0.32 - the lowest in the segment - and (in two-wheel drive form) a sub-1500kg weight, which helps to improve fuel efficiency and, we’d hope, agility. Another fuel-saving measure is ‘efficiency mode’ on the seven-speed S-tronic gearbox, which will disengage the clutch when coasting and allow the Q3 to roll freely.
 
Options will include adaptive headlights, enhanced park assist, a hard drive navigation system, Bose surround sound, Bluetooth and eventually, a WLAN hotspot for full Internet connectivity. Orders will begin in June with the first cars delivered in November; prices will start at around £25,000.
 
Read our Range Rover Evoque review
 
Read our Mini Countryman Cooper S review

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