2019 Audi Q3 SUV revealed with design cues of flagship Q8; gets more tech

Ingolstadt-based German premium carmaker Audi has revealed the second generation of the Q3 SUV. The company had launched the first generation of the Q3 way back in 2011 and received a mild facelift in 2015.

The second generation has been revealed after seven years and the SUV gets a comprehensive makeover, new technologies and a new set of powertrains.

Audi Q3 is no longer the smallest SUV in Q family of SUVs. The arrival of Q2 SUV has prompted Audi to jazz up the Q3 range. The second generation Q3's design has been inspired by the new flagship Q8 SUV.

The larger front grille with a generous amount of chrome and vertical slats looks scaled down version of the Q8's grille. It has been flanked by slimmer LED headlights. Pronounced shoulder lines, sharper front and rear bumper add overall freshness to the Q3.

The new Audi Q3 comes with a range of alloy wheel option from 17-inch to 20-inch depending upon the variant. Based on the Volkswagen Group's modular transverse matrix platform, the 2019 Q3 is around 97 mm longer and 25mm wider than its predecessor.

Audi has also stretched wheelbase by 77 mm to 2,680 mm that liberates more legroom and headroom.

Inside the cabin, Audi has replaced the old analogue instruments with digital instrument cluster with a 10.25-inch screen as standard across the trim. The higher variants can be updated with Audi's Virtual Cockpit as an optional extra.

The new version gets driver assistance systems such as cruise and park assist features, a 360-degree camera and pedestrian detection. The Audi connect portfolio offers Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System with a virtual 3D sound that provides three-dimensional audio. The system includes 15 loudspeakers and produces a total output of 680 watts.

Audi will offer the new Q3 in four powertrain options- three petrol units and one diesel unit mated to either front-wheel or all-wheel drive (Quattro) setup.

The base 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine will produce 150hp, while the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol mill will be offered in two states of tune – 190hp and 230hp. The 2.0-litre diesel engine also comes in two states of tune – 150hp and 190hp.

The India launch of the new Audi Q3 is expected in mid-2019 and the Volvo XC40 rival is expected to be offered in 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines in the lower states of tune.