There may be a dinky Q1 on the way, but for now the Q3 is Audi's smallest wannabe-4x4 and it's getting a raft of updates for the new model year.
On the outside there are new lights (which come with variations on the LED theme depending on how you spec them up), a new grille (more 3D now, says Audi), new bumpers and wheels and clever indicators that sweep their lights from inside to outside when activated. Very cool.
Under the bonnet, the key 2.0-litre TDI engines get boosted to 150- or 184hp, depending on which version you're looking at, while the range-topping RS Q3's five-cylinder turbo petrol gets a whopping 30hp extra, bringing it to 340hp and giving it a 0-100km/h time of just 4.8 seconds. Of rather more import is the fact that the 150hp TDI engine gets an official 4.6 litres/100km and emits 119g/km of CO2.
There is a new petrol option though, which is the brilliant 150hp 1.4 TSI petrol turbo with Cylinder on Demand technology (it shuts down two cylinders under light engine loads - cruising on a flat motorway for instance). We've loved it in the Volkswagen Golf already and Audi says it can return 5.6 litres/100km in the Q3.
Audi is now fitting Audi Drive Select (which allows drivers to toggle between various Sport and Comfort modes) as standard, while there's also a powered tailgate for the 420-litre boot for S line models and up. All versions include dual-zone climate control, a 'Concert' audio system with 6.5-inch manually retractable colour display screen, Bluetooth, Audi Music Interface iPod connection and automatic wipers and lights. Navigation preparation, enabling customers to 'activate' navigation retrospectively by purchasing an SD card if required, is standard for SE and S line models, while 'S line plus' specification comes with SD-based navigation as standard. In addition to its LED headlights, new five-spoke design 18-inch alloy wheels and exterior and interior styling enhancements, the S line upgrade also includes cloth and leather combination upholstery for the sports seats and the option to specify S line sports suspension in place of the standard set-up at no cost.
The new S line plus spec mentioned above adds 19-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass and standard metallic paint externally, and on the inside SD card-based navigation, perforated leather and Alcantara combination upholstery, cruise control and the Audi parking system plus with acoustic and visual guidance.
Anything else?
It'll be January before any of the new Q3s arrive on these shores, but you can put your order in now if you want one.