Upgraded Audi Q3 arrives

The midlife makeover of Audi's smallest SUV – at least until the pint-size Q1 arrives next year – is now available in Australia, bringing up to 17 per cent lower fuel consumption, 7kW more power and $7000 of extra value, but a smaller choice of engines and prices increases of up to $2850.

The upgraded RS Q3 will join this month's facelifted mainstream models in July, bringing even bigger performance gains from its 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo-petrol engine – up 22kW/30Nm to 250kW/450Nm, which Audi says is enough to lower its 0-100km/h by 0.4 seconds to 4.8.

That will make it as quick as the only other small luxury/performance SUV, the Mercedes-Benz GLA 45 AMG, but Audi is also targeting a 10 per cent price reduction for the hottest Q3, which currently costs $81,900 but should soon undercut its $80,430 rival from Mercedes.

The enhanced RS Q3 will top a model range that has dominated the small luxury SUV segment since the Q3 arrived here in March 2012, despite the arrival of the popular new models like the GLA and Lexus NX.

So far this year the Q3 has accounted for almost a third of all sales, but upcoming replacements for BMW X1 and MINI Countryman should provide stiffer competition.

For 2015, the mainstream Q3 range has been trimmed by one variant to four (following the axing of the most powerful petrol version, the 155kW 2.0 TFSI), and is now powered by two diesel and two petrol engines – all direct-injection turbocharged Euro 6 emissions-compliant four-cylinders matched to twin-clutch S tronic automatic transmissions.

All models bring a sharper new front bumper and grille, redesigned xenon headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED indicators and the addition of a reversing camera as standard across the range, plus the new option of a powered tailgate.

Opening the line-up is the 1.4 TFSI for $42,900 plus on-road costs ($600 more than before). The only front-wheel drive Q3 – and the only one to come with a six-speed rather than seven-speed auto – continues with a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol four but now gains fuel-saving Cylinder on Demand (CoD) technology, which shuts down two cylinders under light throttle loads.

The result is combined ADR fuel consumption of 5.9L/100km (down from 6.2), although performance outputs remain unchanged at 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque – the latter over a wide 1500-3500rpm. As the lightest Q3 in the range (1480kg), the 1.4 TFSI is claimed to hit 100km/h in 8.9 seconds.

Audi expects the entry-level model to again comprise a dominant 60 per cent of sales and, like all Q3s, to appeal to young couples without kids, empty-nesters and an equal mix of male and female buyers.

Next up is the 2.0 TDI quattro S tronic at $47,900 plus ORCs (up $400). The cheapest Q3 with quattro all-wheel drive (a Haldex 5 multiplate clutch system with 58/42 per cent front/rear torque split) offers 110kW/340Nm (up 7kW/20Nm), hits 100km/h in a claimed 9.3 seconds (down 0.6 sec) and consumes 5.2L/100km – down 0.4L/100km, making it the most efficient Q3 in the range.

Topping the sub-RS range are two newly names Sport models, fitted with a higher-output 2.0-litre diesel and a 2.0-litre petrol.

The 132kW/320Nm 2.0 TFSI Sport quattro S tronic costs $52,300, which is $2850 more than the 125kW model it replaces but $2700 less than the discontinued 155kW 2.0 TFSI.

It's the quickest non-RS model, with claimed 0-100km/h pace of 7.6 seconds --half a second quicker than the old 125kW, but two-tenths slower than the 155kW – and better fuel efficiency (6.7 L/100km) than both previous 2.0-litre petrol models.

Topping the facelifted Q3 range for now is the 2.0 TDI Sport quattro S tronic at $56,900 (up $1900), offering 135kW (up 5kW) an the same 380Nm over 1800-3250rpm. The most expensive and heaviest (1700kg) mainstream Q3 is just three-tenths slower to 100km/h (7.9 sec claimed) than the 2.0 TFSI, yet is the fastest with a 219km/h claimed top speed and consumes just 5.4L/100km.

Other technical changes include a two-mode electronic stability control system for the first time, the addition of cross-axle torque vectoring and suspension tuning.

Audi claims both entry-level 1.4 TFSI and 2.0 TDI models offer $3000 worth of extra value over their predecessors. Standard features for both variants includes 17-inch alloy wheels, leather-appointed upholstery, dual-zone climate-control air-conditioning, multi-function leather-clad steering wheel with paddleshifters, Audi Music Interface with Bluetooth audio streaming, eight-speaker MMI radio system with retractable 6.5-inch colour display, tyre pressure monitoring, cruise control, Driver Information System, front/rear parking sensors, Dynamic suspension, auto headlights/wipers and LED interior lighting package.

In addition, both the 2.0 TFSI Sport and 2.0 TDI Sport models – which are said to offer an extra $7000 of value -- come standard with 18-inch alloys, colour-coded bumpers and wheel-arches, front sports seats with electric lumbar support, Milano leather upholstery, aluminium and high-gloss interior trim package, auto-dimming interior mirror, Audi Drive Select, Convenience Key and a three-spoke sports multi-function steering with leather trim and shifters.

A range of new options packs are also now available for the Q3, which continues to come with a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating and six airbags.

Chief amongst them are new advanced driver aids including Audi side assist, (blind-spot monitoring over 30km/h), active lane assist (lane departure warning with assistance over 65km/h), high-beam assist and hill descent control, plus power folding and dimming exterior mirrors, which together cost $2490 within a new Assistance package.

The Technik package ($2990) includes MMI Navigation plus with 20GB HDD storage and 2 SHDC readers, Audi park assist with area view and Audi sound system, while the Comfort package ($2990 or $2490 for Sport models) comprises electric front seat and lumbar adjustment, heated front seats, auto-dimming interior mirror, powered tailgate and Convenience key (standard on Sport).

Finally, the S line sports package ($5600) combines an S line exterior package,  S line sports seats in Alcantara/leather, S line multi-function sports steering wheel, black headlining, aluminium interior trim and 18-inch alloy wheels with five parallel-spoke design ($7600 with 20-inch wheels).

There are a range of other individual options, including a range of wheels up to 19-inch, digital radio ($600), heated front seats ($600), rear privacy glass ($700), metallic and pearl effect paint ($1150), 14-speaker 465-Watt Bose surround sound ($1750), LED headlights and tail-lights ($1990) and a panoramic sunroof ($2150).

2015 Audi Q3 pricing (plus ORCs):
1.4 TFSI S tronic -- $42,900 (+$600)
2.0 TDI quattro S tronic -- $47,900 (+$400)
2.0 TFSI Sport quattro S tronic -- $52,300 (+$2850)
2.0 TDI Sport quattro S tronic -- $56,900 (+$1900)