Audi is expected to release the brand new version of its Q3 SUV in India by February 2019. The Audi Q3 marked the debut of the German automaker’s SUV lineup in India. Globally launched in 2011, the original Q3 was made available in India in 2012.

Exterior

The 2019 Audi Q3 will be more spacious than the current model of the SUV. Length and width of the upcoming Q3 are 97mm and 25mm, in the respective order. The Q3 has dumped the dumpling-like look of its predecessor and adopted a design which is more contemporary.

Design cues for the new Audi Q3 have been borrowed from the flagship Audi Q8 SUV. Hence, it looks aggressive and supports a bigger, single-frame octagonal grille with vertical slats. While the front bumper of the new Q3 is edgier and features large air dams, the rear bumper design is also novel. It features a faux skid plate with trapezoidal exhaust pipes on both sides. The new Audi Q3 gets wedge-like LED headlamps with geometric LED DRLs, which can also serve as elegant turn indicators. In order to make the SUV look wider, the contours over the wheel arches have drawn inspiration from none other than Audi’s Quattro.

Adding to the overall sporty feel of the SUV, the side profile of the latest Audi Q3 boasts a protruding shoulder line, running from the top of the bonnet to the very back of the car. The new make of Q3 supports a spoiler adjoining the rear windshield. The new tail lamps replicate the detailing of the newly-modified LED DRLs present at the front of the SUV.

Interior

The new Q3 draws inspiration from the Q8 SUV for both the outside and the inside. The dashboard of the Q3 focuses especially on the increased width of the SUV and supports an 8.1-inch infotainment screen. You can also opt for the bigger 10.1-inch touchscreen.

The Audi Q3 SUV features 4 individual AC vents on the inside along with a regular knob-like unit for controlling the AC. Also, the new Q3 allows for infotainment system integration with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

Like newer Audis, the Q3 supports a 10.25-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster. The console can be controlled via the multifunctional steering wheel. Other notable interior features offered by the Audi Q3 include a 15-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system, a 30-colour ambient lighting system, a two-zone climate control, a heated steering wheel, and a panoramic sunroof.

Safety Features

The 2019 Q3 comes with a horde of driver assistance and safety features. The SUV features an adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist and active lane assist. Lane departure warning system and a 360-degree camera are also available.

Moreover, the latest revamp of the Audi Q3 gets the active park assist system that automatically steers the car in and out of parking spots. Blind spot detection and cross-traffic assist are other noteworthy safety and driver assistance features.

Configuration

There is a multitude of engine configurations possible with the 2019 Q3. It has a 2.0L engine available in both petrol and diesel variants, while a new 1.5L petrol engine is also up for offering. The SUV comes with the Quattro all-wheel-drive system.

While the smaller petrol engine produces 150 PS, the bigger 2.0L petrol engine is available in 190 PS and 230 PS configurations. The 2.0L diesel engine produces 190 PS of power. For transmission, one can either opt for the 6-speed manual or the 7-speed dual-clutch mode.

Verdict

The refreshed Q3 is based on the MQB platform of the Volkswagen Group, which is the primary reason why the new Audi Q3 is bigger in size. Audi A3, Kodiaq, Passat, Skoda Octavia, and VW Tiguan are just some of the many popular cars based on the MQB platform. 2019 Audi Q3 will redefine competition with the BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, and Volvo XC40 in the subcompact luxury car segment.