At a time when premium brands make man-to-man marking — the football metaphor always looks good… —, especially in the SUV and crossover segment, Audi responds to rival BMW and its cute X2 with a new, more stylized variant , from Q3, the Audi Q3 Sportback.
Haven't you seen the presentation that our João Tomé made here about what a Q3 Sportback is? In short and basically, this is a Q3 dressed to kill and dazzle.
Unchanged on what is the well-known technical basis of Ingolstadt's compact SUV, but still with some differences in exterior dimensions — the new variant is not only 16 mm longer (4.50 m) it is also 29 mm shorter (1.56 m) —, the Q3 Sportback stands out mainly for its coupé-like profile. With the roofline extending over the redesigned and steeper rear pillars, it features a spoiler at the top of the rear window.
The focus of difference.
Adding to the robust and sporty image, shoulders more defined and pronounced than on the Q3, complemented by a rear tail lamp without alterations, apart from the possibility of having dynamic turn signals.
One of the many details of the Audi Q3 Sportback that, together with the octagonal Singleframe grille with a three-dimensional appearance at the front, the striking rear diffuser, and the various body protections characteristic of SUVs, end up contributing to an undoubtedly muscular, striking exterior image and even ravishing — in other words, take care, X2...
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family interior
As for the interior, the best thing is not to have many changes compared to Q3; except for access to it, lower through the rear doors, (bad) consequence of the profile that wants to be a coupé — pretty boy things...
Once you have assimilated this nuance, it will most likely look too familiar. From the excellent quality of construction and materials, both accentuated by a sculpted dashboard and ergonomic lines; to the technological environment for which both the 10.25” Audi Virtual Cockpit (which, in the plus version, adds as a novelty three pre-defined layouts) and the attractive and functional 10.1” MMI touchscreen, strongly contribute.
We also find a great driving position, with all the controls in the right place, center console contributing to a immersive cockpit, and the driver graced with a sporty seat and steering wheel.
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As for the other occupants, a rear seat which, although it can still be adjusted 60:40 in depth (13 cm) and in the inclination of the back, is still more suitable for just two adults than for three. Not only because the transmission tunnel is very intrusive, but also because the width for a potential passenger in half is not that much.
A surprise, and a good one, are the height elevations in the rear seats, a consequence of a “cut” roof that helps to attenuate the plunging profile towards the luggage compartment. But also the luggage compartment, which, announcing a capacity of 530 l — with removable floor that can be placed at two heights — it can reach up to 1400 l, with the rear seat backs fully folded horizontally.
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“My name is Alexa…”
Still on the infotainment and connectivity system, the biggest novelty is the promise of including, further ahead in time, a more advanced version of the well-known interactive virtual assistant from Amazon, Alexa. Like other known solutions (Mercedes Me, for example), it is based on Artificial Intelligence systems, it promises not only to provide more than 80 000 features, but also to meet (practically) all the wishes expressed by the Q3 Sportback's occupants! Or at least we would like it to be so...
Guaranteed from the start of sales are all the online services already known from the various ranges of the Ingolstadt manufacturer. This is the case with 3D navigation based on Google Maps, or a permanent connection to the Internet, which allows, for example, to make the Audi Q3 Sportback a valuable and effective hotspot.
Also highlighted are the modes and driving aids, translated not only in Drive Select, which doesn't even lack an off-road mode (there are six modes in all), or even in the equally important help on steep descents; as well as technologies such as lane keeping, blind spot alert and emergency autonomous braking at the front. The latter is included in the Audi pre sense security systems package.
Among the options, the Adaptive Cruise Assist stands out, as well as a system for reading traffic signs that, in the future, should be able to act in conjunction with the cruise control, permanently adjusting the speed to legal limits — in the future, we were guaranteed...
Announced with already known equipment levels — Base, Advance and S line —, it now remains to wait for the definition of the composition of each of these versions, to find out what will truly be part of the standard equipment.
Same engines, but with an electric twist
Speaking of engines, the confirmation of the same engines that already exist in the Q3, that is, two four-cylinder petrol engines, 1.5 TFSI 150 hp and 2.0 TFSI 230 hp , and two more on diesel, 2.0 TDI of 150 hp and 190 hp . All of them can receive not only a six-speed manual transmission, but also the well-known (and effective) seven-speed automatic S tronic (double clutch) transmission.
For the domestic market, the 150 hp 1.5 TFSI (aka, 35 TFSI), with manual and automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive, will be available, in addition to the two 2.0 TDI: the 150 hp 35 TDI with S tronic box, and that it can also have quattro all-wheel drive, and the 190 hp 40 TDI, standard with S tronic and quattro system.
Real news, only in the course of marketing… and electrical. More precisely, based on the 35 TFSI, which will also be available with a 48V semi-hybrid system.
This consists of a Belt Alternater Starter (motor-generator driven by a belt), and takes advantage of the energy wasted in deceleration and braking, ensuring more 12 hp and 50 Nm in certain occasions — initial accelerations or more pronounced, up to 10 seconds. Achieving, according to Audi guarantees, fuel savings of up to 0.4 l/100 km.
Sporty also at the wheel
In this first contact with the new Q3 Sportback, carried out on German soil, the opportunity to drive two of the available engines, the 35 TFSI 150 hp S tronic, and the 40 TDI 190 hp quattro S tronic.
Since, at the end of the tests, after evaluating the pros and cons — few … —, our preference ended up falling on the 35 TFSI, gasoline, without a doubt, a good option for this SUV! This is also due to the excellent role played by the S tronic automatic transmission with shift paddles on the steering wheel.
THE Audi Q3 Sportback 35 TFSI it is powered by a four-cylinder that, while not being a powerhouse or vivacity, guarantees good responses, thanks also to the 250 Nm of torque it advertises.
The good dynamic performance, helped by a self-adjusting air suspension, which guarantees firm and informative tread, without accentuated bearings in the body, is in our memory. But also because of progressive and precise steering in the way it inserts the Q3, aided by generously sized wheels (20” wheels well chocked), which, although louder when in contact with the asphalt, are synonymous with greater traction.
THE Audi Q3 Sportback 40 TDI , with the well-known 2.0 TDI of 190 hp, S tronic and quattro system, it is characterized by greater sound and some vibrations. This in a set that, aided by greater torque (400 Nm) and the all-wheel drive, achieves responses with greater impetus, without any loss of traction.
Even so, and in our simple opinion, the TDI leaves, in many moments, the feeling of being a “strange body”, in this coupé contoured body, but that also wants to be an SUV.
it costs a little more
Although scheduled for launch in Portugal in the second half of next October, the Audi Q3 Sportback remains without defined prices. Which, the responsible for the brand for our country revealed to us, are still being negotiated with the parent company.
However, this uncertainty has not stopped those responsible for leaving the guarantee that this new variant will not be much more expensive than the original Q3: another 2500 to 3000 euros, they guarantee.
If confirmed, the Audi Q3 Sportback will be available, with a petrol engine, for prices starting at 44 000/45,000 euros, while the Diesel will start at around 52 000 euros.
As has already happened with other models, Audi will mark the launch of the new Sportback in European markets, with the availability of an Edition One version. Which, limited to an as-yet-undefined number of units per market, and defined by a highly enriched equipment , more accurate image, and available with all engines, can cost around 8000 euros more than an S line, with a corresponding engine — this, of course, if the strategy is the same as in Q3.
