Audi has unveiled the new four-door coupe-styled crossover it’s preparing for later this year, the Q3 Sportback aimed at rivalling SUVs like the Range Rover Evoque and BMW X2.
The main difference from the conventional Q3 is with the silhouette. Alongside a new front grille, the roof is 3 centimetres flatter, while Audi has made the rear much more slanted for a longer look.
And yet at 4.5 metres, it’s scarcely 2 cm longer than the conventional Q3, according to Audi.
Other than that, you won’t find many other big differences. As in the normal Q3, this crossover also has a sliding rear bench with an adjustable inclination and a 530-litre boot.
Only when the rear seat is folded down do you really notice the price you pay for the more compact roof: The full load capacity of 1,400 litres is about 10-per-cent smaller than that of the Q3.
The new Sportback will be launched in Europe in the second half of 2019 with familiar engines: The only petrol engine will initially be a 2.0-litre four-cylinder with 230 hp, while there will be a choice of two diesels, a 2.0-litre engine with 150 hp or 190 hp.
Audi will then later offer a second, 1.5-litre petrol engine with 150 hp, equipped with the first 48-volt mild hybrid system in the brand’s compact class. – dpa
