Audi has unveiled the all-new, third-generation Audi Q3 Sportback. In essence, it’s the exact same car as the standard Audi Q3, but with a sportier body style, in case you find the standard car too tame. The main difference here is a sloping roofline that is 29 mm lower than its SUV sibling… and that’s about it – the rest of the Audi Q3 Sportback is nearly identical to the standard Q3.
The sportier and sleeker body style of the Q3 Sportback does mean some trade-off in practicality, with its expanded boot space reduced to 1,289 litres, compared to 1,386 litres in the standard Audi Q3. That said, the standard boot capacity with the rear seats up remains identical at 488 litres, which can be increased to 575 litres if the rear seat bench is in its most forward position.
Like its SUV sibling, the Q3 Sportback is also equipped with fancy Matrix LED headlights featuring 25,600 micro LEDs. The daytime running lights are made up of 23 separate components in the front, and 36 at the rear, with the optional digital OLED lighting package.
The Audi Q3 Sportback is also available with S-line trimmings, which add selenite silver accents to the front and rear bumpers. If you prefer a more subtle look, a black exterior package is also available, with the exterior trims finished in said colour.
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Equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels as standard, the Audi Q3 Sportback is offered with a myriad of wheel sizes and designs. These include aerodynamic wheels from 18- to 19-inches, and five different designs for the 19-inch and 20-inch offerings. A 17-inch wheel option is also available, but we guess this is reserved for the base, bare bones variant.
Inside, you’ll find the same curved panoramic display, featuring a 12.8-inch infotainment screen running on Android Automotive OS with access to third-party apps via the Audi Application Store. This is supplemented by the driver’s 11.9-inch digital cluster and a heads-up display.
A total of nine interior packages are available, featuring sustainable and recycled materials. Fast-growing, resistant timber is used for wood trims, and recycled polyester is used for cloth finishes. Taking the sustainable concept to the next level, the floor mats of the Q3 Sportback are made with Econyl, which is produced from old fishing nets, carpet remnants, and industrial waste.
Five powertrains will be available globally for the Audi Q3 Sportback, ranging from petrol, diesel, and hybrid powertrains, although specific availability is market-dependent. These powertrains include:
- 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder making 150 hp and 250 Nm to the front-wheels (FWD) via a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT)
- 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel making 150 hp and 360 Nm with FWD and seven-speed DCT
- 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder making 204 hp and 350 Nm with Quattro all-wheel drive (AWD) and seven-speed DCT
- 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder making 265 hp and 400 Nm with Quattro AWD and seven-speed DCT
- 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder making 177 hp and 250 Nm, paired to an electric motor making 115 hp (85 kW) and 330 nm, for a combined output of 272 hp and 400 Nm
For the hybrid variant, the Q3 Sportback is equipped with a 25.7 kWh battery pack (19.7 kWh usable), which enables a pure electric range of up to 118 km (WLTP). No AC charging specifications were disclosed, but Audi states that the DC charging is supported up to 50 kW, which allows for a 10-80% recharge in under 30 minutes.
Also carried forward from its SUV sibling is the suite of ADAS features that the Q3 Sportback is equipped with, which includes Parking System Plus, lane departure warning with emergency assist, active front assist with evasion and turning assist, and attention and fatigue warning with driver monitoring.
A unique ADAS feature available on both the new Audi Q3 and the Q3 Sportback is the Emergency Assistant. This safety system is designed to take control of the vehicle if it detects that the driver is incapacitated.
The system will first issue a series of visual, audible, and haptic warnings, including brake jolts, to alert the driver. If there is no response, the car will activate its hazard lights, and safely steer itself to the side of the road, and come to a stop before automatically contacting emergency services.
Slated to be launched in the German and European markets in October 2025, the base Audi Q3 Sportback TFSI 110 kW will be priced at EUR46,450 (approx. RM228k) while the Q3 Sportback e-hybrid 200 kW commands a sticker price of EUR51,150 (approx. RM252k).
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Audi Q3 Sportback
Audi Q3 Sportback e-Hybrid
