Audi has already revealed the new, third-generation version of its top-selling Q3 compact SUV, and now here's the expected - and more rakish - Sportback derivative to go with it.
What's the main difference here?
As per usual with an Audi Sportback version of an existing SUV family, the Q3 variant has a lower roofline. From the A-pillars backwards, it swoops lower than the lid of the SUV and is ultimately 29mm closer to the deck as a result.
Audi reckons the Q3 Sportback doesn't lose any of the typical SUV-like traits, such as lots of space inside, easy ingress and egress to and from the passenger cabin and a high seating position, but it just looks that little bit racier on the outside.
What does it do to practicality?
As far as we can see from Audi's official numbers, not a huge amount that is detrimental. Oddly enough, the Sportback looks like it might not be as aerodynamic as the regular Q3 SUV, because it has slightly lower though still (irrelevant) top speeds model-for-model and marginally increased fuel consumption too, but we'll come onto that latter detail later.
In terms of physical space, there'll likely be slightly less headroom in the rear of the Sportback, while its ultimate boot capacity is down. All seats in use, it has an SUV-matching 488 litres, but with the second row of chairs dropped away, the Sportback can only swallow 1,289 litres instead of the normal Q3's 1,386.
OK, are there any changes to tech or equipment?
No, the Sportback has the same large 'Digital Stage' screen-based fascia up front, which teams an 11.9-inch instrument cluster with a central 12.8-inch infotainment touch-sensitive affair.
There's also a head-up display for the driver, while on the outside are the fancy micro-LED light clusters that allow for various different signatures to be selected by the owner.
Perhaps the only really significant equipment change is that the regular Q3 SUV can be specified on alloy wheels as small as 17 inches in diameter, whereas the Sportback will come on 18-inch items as the standard size. Rims of up to 20 inches are optionally available for both.
So what are the engine choices?
As with the SUV, the Q3 Sportback will have a turbocharged 1.5-litre TFSI petrol engine with 150hp as its basis, this unit featuring cylinder-on-demand technology that can deactivate two of the four cylinders to save fuel in certain low-stress driving scenarios.
The other choice will be a 2.0-litre TDI turbodiesel with the same peak output, above which will be a couple of 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engines equipped with Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive set-up - these have either 204- or 265hp, but they're unlikely to come to Ireland where they will be in low demand, due to high CO2 outputs.
As both of the 150hp models have front-wheel drive, a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission and 0-100km/h times of 9.1 (TFSI) and 9.2 seconds (TDI) respectively, those wanting a little more oomph from their Q3 Sportback will probably look to the e-Hybrid plug-in (PHEV) as the obvious choice.
It teams a 1.5-litre TFSI petrol engine with an 85kW electric motor and 19.7kWh net-capacity battery pack together, allowing for system maximums of 272hp and 400Nm, along with a 6.8-second 0-100km/h time.
However, the Sportback is ever-so-slightly less frugal than the Q3 SUV when comparing drivetrains. It consumes about 0.1 litres/100km more fuel and emits a few g/km more CO2 as well. Luckily, this is not enough to push the PHEV out of the €140 tax band which has been in effect since 2021, but it's right on the limit at 40-50g/km. It also has 1km less electric-driving range, the Q3 Sportback e-Hybrid capable of 118km officially.
When will the Audi Q3 Sportback come to Ireland?
The new Q3 Sportback is slated to join its regular SUV sibling later this year. Prices and Irish specs aren't confirmed as yet, but you can expect the Sportback to be a couple of thousand euro more expensive than the Q3 it is based on, spec-for-spec.