Audi has dropped the first video teaser of the second generation Audi Q3 compact luxury SUV ahead of its world debut confirmed for July 25. The new Q3 finally makes the jump to Volkswagen Group's more advanced MQB platform. This is a much-needed update from Audi to give its second smallest crossover the fuel efficiency, features, weight advantage and the powertrain flexibility, given the outgoing model has been around since 2011.
Endless spy shots and renderings have given an idea as to what the new Q3 will look like, and the new teaser re-confirms most of those details. It's easy to surmise that the BMW X1 rival's exterior will draw influence from Audi's latest design direction, though it isn't a radical departure from the outgoing model's design. Some of the details teased include a Q8-inspired octagonal grille, a larger pair of LED headlamps with more striking LED DRLs, and fancy ambient lighting for the cabin. Expect the dimensions to be slightly bigger and the car to weigh a bit lighter than the outgoing Q3. Reports say that the new Q3's length and width are set to increase by 60 mm and 30 mm over the outgoing model, respectively.
Although the interior is yet to be teased, spy shots have revealed a more modern, cleaner design in store for the new Q3. As with every new Audi, the Q3 will receive a host of tech upgrades such as Audi's Virtual Cockpit 12.3-inch driver's display, an 8-inch+ touchscreen infotainment system with handwriting gestures, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, wireless smartphone charging and a Bang and Olufsen audio system.
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With the jump to MQB comes a new set of engines compatible with the widely-used platform. The new Q3 is expected to be initially offered with engine options such as a 1.5L TSI 4-cyl petrol, 2.0L turbo 4-cyl petrol and a 2.0L TDI 4-cyl diesel, all in various state of tunes. Later on, a hybrid version coupling the 1.5-litre TSI motor with an electric motor with a 50 km zero-emission range and a hotter RS Q3 with the RS 3's 2.5L inline-5 turbo petrol is in the offing.
