The new Audi Q3 SUV takes on a bolder look with redesigned octagon front grille along with narrow headlights and refined shoulder line running towards the rear.

The contours draw inspiration from Audi’s quattro DNA and make the SUV seem even wider; the colour-contrasting wheel arch trims (in the Standard and Advanced trim lines) emphasize the off-road look, while the body coloured version (in the S Line trim line) offers a sportier character.

Customers for the new Q3 have many options for customising their car. These include a contrasting paint finish for the lower body section while, with the S line exterior package, the bumpers, sill trims and diffuser look decidedly sporty and 11 paint colours are available.

Inside, the instrument panel is divided into two levels: the top part includes the air vents; the bottom section incorporates the large octagonal area with its black-panel look. The instrument panel varies the motif of the Singleframe and is surrounded by a wide chrome strip.

Q3 customers can choose between two variants over and above the standard version – the sports package and the S line sports interior package. Both packages include the sport seats, which are trimmed optionally with a combination of leather/artificial leather and Alcantara. The Alcantara surfaces on the instrument panel and on the door armrests are an entirely new option. They are available in two colours, including steel grey or a bold orange.

In the dark, the contour ambient LED lighting package – available as an optional extra or standard with the technology package – sets pinpoint lighting accents on the centre console and on the doors. It can be set to 30 colours and also illuminates the storage compartment under the instrument panel as well as the Audi logo above the glove compartment.

Other interior features include the standard two-zone air-conditioning, the panoramic glass sunroof or the flat-bottomed sports steering wheel.

The new Audi Q3 has grown and now is 4 484 millimetres long, making it 96 millimetres longer than its predecessor. In terms of width, it has grown 18 millimetres to 1 849 millimetres, but at 1 585 millimetres without the roof aerial, it is 5 millimetres flatter than the first-generation Q3. Its wheelbase has been stretched 77 millimetres to 2 680 millimetres.

Audi has done away with the analogue instruments. The digital instrument cluster with a 10,25 inch screen is standard equipment, which the driver operates using the multifunction steering wheel. Customers can also upgrade the instrument cluster to the Audi virtual cockpit with additional functions.

The standard MMI radio plus also includes an MMI touch display with 8,8 inch screen in the centre of the instrument panel. With the top-of-the-line equipment, MMI navigation plus, this touchscreen measures 10,1 inches.

In addition, the Audi Q3 with MMI navigation plus also comes with new natural-language voice control. It also understands freely structured wording. The ingenious dialogue manager asks questions if necessary, allows corrections, offers choices and defers to the speaker when interrupted.

 Locally, Audi South Africa is offering one engine version – a 1,4-litre petrol engine with front wheel driveoffering 110 kW and 250 Nm of torque from a four-cylinder direct injection unit with turbo-charging and driving through a six-speed S-tronic gearbox.

Audi South Africa has introduced a new package concept that will be adopted for all new models to be launched. The concept aims to reduce complexity when ordering a new vehicle, considering that a customer is generally faced with a long list of options to choose from.

It classifies key options according to a specific customer need and offers a straight-forward value proposition that is easy for a customer to understand. These packages have been defined by a combination of customer preferences as well as strategic options which aim to highlight Audi’s uniqueness or technology enhancements.

The packages include:

• Comfort
• Technology
• Sport
• Parking
• S line interior
• Black styling

Within each package structure ares a few options suited to the particular proposition. For example, the Comfort package includes storage and luggage; parking aid plus; electric tailgate; electric seats; seat heating and 4 way lumbar support.

The Audi Q3 range is priced as follows, along with the standard Audi Freeway plan (5 year / 100 000 km) and inclusive of all taxes:

• Audi Q3 35 TFSI S tronic at R 565 000
• Audi Q3 35 TFSI S tronic Advanced at R 585 000
• Audi Q3 35 TFSI S tronic S line at R 599 000