The car world is a circus, and Audi is gearing up to take center stage with the third generation of its Q3. In just a few days, on June 16 to be precise, the brand with the four rings will whip the covers off its latest SUV. But, true to form, Audi’s teasing us first with blurry photos and cryptic hints, like they’re putting on a tantalizing striptease. Except, plot twist: the headlight they showed us isn’t even the real one! What’s this sneaky nonsense, Audi? Let’s dive into what we do know about this newcomer and why it might just be worth the hype.
The Q3 has been a crowd-pleaser for years. With over two million units sold, this isn’t some wallflower sulking in the corner of the showroom. No, it’s a compact SUV that looks like a bodybuilder in a tailored suit: tough yet polished. The new generation promises to carry that torch, but with a hefty dose of modernity. What stands out – or at least, what we think stands out – is the design. Audi’s banging on about a “new design” and “digital innovation,” which, in plain English, means it looks slick and is packed with screens that’ll distract you more than your satnav ever could.
Let’s talk about those headlights, because that’s where the confusion kicked off. The teasers flaunted a set of headlights that looked like they belonged on an electric Audi, with a split design straight out of the Q6 e-tron playbook. You know, that trendy thing where the lights look like someone took an axe to them. But then came the bombshell: that’s not the real headlight! The actual deal is still under wraps, but spy shots – because, yes, there are always blokes with telephoto lenses lurking in the bushes around Ingolstadt – suggest the Q3 will indeed sport split headlights, just like its electric siblings. And not just up front: the taillights are apparently sliced in two as well, a trick we’ve already seen on the new A6. It seems Audi’s designers have developed a fetish for split lighting. Naughty, but I get it.
Under the skin, the Q3 sits on the MQB Evo platform, a sort of technical Lego brick that also underpins the Audi A3 and Volkswagen Tiguan. That means we’re likely getting a smorgasbord of engines, from sensible petrols to a plug-in hybrid for the eco-conscious lease driver who still wants to hear an exhaust burble now and then. Don’t hold your breath for a roaring five-cylinder RS Q3, as much as we’d love to see it back. That glorious beast’s time seems to have passed, though I’m secretly hoping Audi pulls a fast one. A hybrid with some grunt would be a decent middle ground.
Design-wise, the Q3 looks like a mash-up of everything Audi’s been cooking up lately. The grille will probably be big enough to swallow a small planet, and the lines will be sharper than a freshly honed chef’s knife. But let’s be real: Audi’s designs under outgoing design boss Marc Lichte have sometimes felt like a Hollywood blockbuster – lots of flash, not much soul. Thankfully, Massimo Frascella will soon take the reins of Audi’s design department, though we’ll have to wait a few years to see his stamp. For now, we’re getting a Q3 that looks like a cross between an A5 and a Q6 e-tron, with a pinch of “we’re trying something new, but not too new.”
Inside, expect a cockpit that feels like the bridge of a spaceship. Audi’s interiors these days are a parade of touchscreens, ambient lighting, and buttons so minimalist you’ll need a manual to turn on the air-con. But that’s fine, because it’s luxurious, and luxury is what you want when you’re stuck in traffic pretending you’re in a private jet. There’s talk of “digital innovation,” so brace yourself for an infotainment system smarter than your teenage kid and probably better at curating your Spotify playlist.
Why should you care? Because the Q3 is a car for people who want it all: an SUV compact enough to park in the city but butch enough to show off at the golf club. It’s not as big as a Q5, not as pricey as a Q8, but still an Audi, so your neighbors will be green with envy. And if the spy photographers are on the money, this Q3 will have a design that finally shows some guts – even if it’s not a full-on RS.
So, what’s the verdict? The new Audi Q3 will be an evolution of a winning formula: a premium SUV with a sharp face, an interior that makes you feel like you’re living in the future, and enough engine options to keep everyone happy. Whether it truly steals the show, we’ll find out on June 16, but the signs are promising. Until then, we can only speculate and hope Audi doesn’t trick us again with fake headlights.
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