Audi lobs Q3 Sportback pricing

AUDI Australia has released pricing and specification for its all-new Q3 Sportback small coupe-style SUV, which is set to touch down locally in March priced from $49,900 plus on-roads for the 35TFSI S-Line.

Like its wagon-style sibling, the Q3 Sportback will launch with the 35TFSI engine in S-Line and Launch Edition guise, with the S-line priced $3500 above the Q3 and the Launch Edition $3700 dearer at $56,450.

Specification and styling of the Q3 Sportback largely mirrors that of the wagon, with some minor changes such as a longer and lower body, sloped back, wheelarch flares and 19-inch alloy wheels – one inch larger than the wagon.

As the sportier of the two Q3 offerings, the Sportback has a sharper steering response than the wagon, although its sloped back does not forego any storage space compared to the wagon, with both sporting 530 litres of storage up to 1400L with the 40:20:40 rear seats folded.

Inside, the Q3 Sportback features the same MMI infotainment system consisting of a 10.1-inch touchscreen and 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster with DAB+ digital radio reception, voice control, wireless Apple CarPlay and charging, Audi Connect Plus software with sat-nav and real-time traffic information plus a collection of USB-A and USB-C ports.

Leather seats are standard along with a leather multifunction steering wheel, two-zone climate control and ambient interior lighting.

The Q3 wagon’s five-star ANCAP safety rating also applies to the Sportback, with lane departure warning, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane change warning, rear cross-traffic assist, tyre pressure monitor, hill descent control, parking sensors, a reversing camera and six airbags all included as standard.

The limited-run Launch Edition takes the spec of the S-Line and adds metallic paint, privacy glass, a black exterior styling package, folding and heated exterior mirrors, an enhanced sound system, auto-dimming interior mirror, colour interior lighting package, electric front seats with lumbar support, heated front seats, surround-view monitor and adaptive cruise control with active lane assist and emergency assist.

Both versions are powered by a 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine developing 110kW/250Nm and driving the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch auto.

Official combined fuel consumption is rated at 7.3 litres per 100km, while CO2 emissions are pegged at 167 grams per km.

Audi says “soon after” launching, the range will be bolstered by the introduction of the 40TFSI quattro version, which uses a 2.0-litre engine developing 132kW/320Nm, driving all four wheels via a seven-speed dual clutch.

The fire-breathing RS Q3 grade will also join the range in the third quarter of this year, sporting a manic 294kW/480Nm 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo-petrol engine.

Audi Australia managing director Paul Sansom said the increasing popularity of the small SUV segment made the Q3 Sportback a sensible new entrant.

“The new model is stronger in every conceivable area, and the very first Q3 Sportback offers an even more expressive alternative for buyers,” he said.

“The growing share of the premium compact SUV segment shows no sign of slowing down, and so the Q3 Sportback is absolutely the right car at the right time for the Australian market.”

2020 Audi Q3 Sportback pricing *

*Excludes on-road costs