Orders now being taken for new Audi Q3 in Germany

The new Audi Q3 looks much sportier than its predecessor - with the striking Singleframe in octagonal design, large air inlets and strong muscles over the wheel arches. Compared with the first generation, the compact SUV has grown in virtually all dimensions. It is 4,484mm long, 1,849mm wide and 1,585mm high.

Its wheelbase, which has been stretched by 77mm, offers lots of space. At the same time the Q3 is extremely versatile - thanks to the rear seats, which can be adjusted fore/aft and for tilt, height-adjustable loading floor, along with numerous storage compartments.

Depending on the position of the rear seats and backrests, the luggage compartment capacity is between 530 and 1,525 litres.

In typical SUV fashion, the Audi Q3 combines easy access and good all-round visibility with a sporty seating position. The steering wheel is steeply angled accordingly. The seats - electrically adjustable as an option - offer comfort from the next larger vehicle category.

The highlights include the new operating and display concept: Even the basic version of the Audi Q3 comes with a digital instrument cluster. In conjunction with MMI navigation plus, the driver controls the extensive infotainment via the 10.1-inch touchscreen display in the centre console. Together with the air-conditioning controls, it is tilted ergonomically toward the driver. Operation is intuitive and easy to follow thanks to the flat menu structure. Alternatively the driver can issue commands using voice control.

Like with the brand's full-size models, the Audi Q3 also offers a range of innovative assist systems, including adaptive cruise assist.

It incorporates the functions of adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist and active lane assist. In this way it assists the driver with longitudinal and lateral control - substantially enhancing comfort on long journeys in particular. Along with the Audi pre-sense basic and Audi pre-sense front safety systems, the Audi side assist lane change warning system and the Audi active lane assist are fitted ex-works.

The new Audi Q3 enters the German market with two engines and front-wheel drive. The entry-level engine is the 1.5 TFSI with 148bhp and 250Nm of torque. It features the cylinder-on-demand system, which switches off the second and third cylinder temporarily at low and medium loads, thus helping reduce fuel consumption.

With the manual six-speed transmission, the Audi Q3 35 TFSI accelerates from 0-100km/h in 9.6 seconds, and takes it to a top speed of 211km/h. If the customer chooses the seven-speed S tronic, the sprint takes 9.2 seconds, with the propulsive power ending at 207km/h. The same figures also apply to the Audi Q3 35 TDI with S tronic. The smooth-running 2.0-litre engine also produces 148bhp and delivers 340Nm of torque to the crankshaft.

The new Audi Q3 will be manufactured at the Gyor plant in Hungary and is available to order in Germany from $52,650.