The Audi Q3 is soon to enter its third generation, and new spy photos show the SUV is getting a significant exterior overhaul.
The current model is Audi’s best-selling vehicle in Australia, and also leads its segment in sales.
Spotted testing in Europe, this is the best look we’ve had so far at the new Q3, after previous spy shots only showed heavily camouflaged examples.
Front end styling resembles that of recent Audi products, with thin daytime running lights sitting above what appears to be a vertical stack of driving lights next to the slimmed-down grille.
An integrated number plate mount sits at the bottom of the grille and above a larger lower air intake.
Further back, its tail light signature and full-width rear light bar appear to be influenced by the e-tron GT electric sedan.
This appears to be the ‘regular’ Q3, and not its more coupe-inspired Sportback counterpart.
As this prototype has red brake calipers, previously reserved for the RSQ3, it could be an indication that the regular Q3’s S line appearance package will adopt this visual difference.
Previous reports have indicated it’ll follow its Volkswagen Tiguan cousin in moving to the Volkswagen Group’s MQB Evo platform, with an expansion in its dimensions also expected as a result.
Petrol and plug-in hybrid powertrains will be available, though buyers seeking pure electric power will need to look at a Q4 e-tron instead.
In Australia, the Q3 has accounted for more than a third of Audi’s local deliveries this year with 3109 new examples registered between January and July.
It’s also the best-selling small SUV in the $45,000-plus category, proving to be more popular than the BMW X1 (2664 deliveries) and Volvo’s XC40 (1879), the latter once the favourite in the segment.
Despite its higher price, it’s almost outselling the Chery Omoda 5 (3279 deliveries) while surpassing the Honda HR-V (1935 deliveries).
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