New Audi Q3, third generation debuts: everything you need to know. Dimensions, engines and price

Characterised by a decidedly sportier design compared to the current model and with strong references to recently launched models, starting with the extremely slim front headlights and at the rear the unprecedented light band that seamlessly connects the light clusters. Also making its debut is the illumination of the four rings at the rear, shared in the range with the full electric Audi A6 e-tron. Available in 11 colours, including the new sage green and Madeira brown paints, the latter exclusively matt, it is fitted with 17" to 20" wheels.

Climb aboard and you are greeted by the Audi Digital Stage - standard from the first trim level - consisting of the 11.9" Audi virtual cockpit, the 12.8" screen of the curved MMI system from which to manage infotainment with the Android Automotive operating system, the voice assistant with ChatGpt and the head-up display. The steering wheel controls have undergone a radical evolution, with the steering column integrating a brand new satellite with the gear selector on the right-hand side and the light and windscreen wiper control elements on the left-hand side. Moving the transmission selector from the console to the steering wheel allows additional space for two cup holders and the inductive charging system for cooled portable devices with 15 watts of power. In terms of load capacity, it starts at 488 litres and can be expanded to 575 litres by folding down the rear seats to the maximum, while folding down the bench seat - which can be divided in the 40/20/40 ratio and can be adjusted in inclination - gives 1,386 litres.

The engine range of the third-generation Audi Q3 opens with the four-cylinder 1.5 Tfsi with 150 hp and 250 Nm of torque featuring 48V mild-hybrid technology, 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission and cylinder-on-demand system. Taking it a step further is the 2.0 TFSI with quattro all-wheel drive and 204 hp and 320 Nm or 265 hp and 400 Nm, while the 2.0 Tdi with 150 hp front-wheel drive and dual-clutch transmission will be offered at launch.

The most eagerly awaited novelty comes in the form of the plug-in hybrid version, based on the 1.5-litre Tfsi Evo Miller-cycle engine with 272 horsepower and a 25.7 kWh battery (19.7 kWh effective). Thanks to nearly doubling the size of the accumulator and a recharging capacity of up to 50 kW DC, the Audi Q3 e-Hybrid travels up to 120 kilometres in electric mode with Wltp homologation (more than twice as fast as in the past) and takes less than 30 minutes to go from 10% to 80% battery. It completes the Adas offer.

But how much does the third generation Audi Q3 cost? The new Q3 will be offered in Business, Business Advanced and S line editions and will be sold from 42,500 euros for the 1.5 Tfsi and from 43,800 euros for the 2.0 Ttdi 150 cvS tronic.