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Much loved Audi compact Coupé and Roadster models benefit from updates and a special edition in their 20th anniversary year

Styling updates, detail equipment enhancements and power upgrades
“TT 20 years” limited-edition anniversary model available as Coupé and Roadster
UK ordering begins in the autumn, first deliveries in late 2018

At twenty the Audi TT is in the prime of its life, and to ensure that this remains the case the third generation of the game-changing Coupe and Roadster has benefited from a comprehensive update. In its double-decade anniversary year enhancements to exterior design, power upgrades and an equipment uplift make the case for the compact sports car even more compelling, as does the inclusion in the latest range of a special edition ‘TT 20 years’ model drawing inspiration from one of the first concept cars and limited to just 999 examples worldwide.

In its first flush the original Audi TT raised the bar for sports car design at virtually every level. It captivated the world from the moment it first appeared as a concept car in Coupé and Roadster form in 1995, and even more so when it took to the roads, virtually unchanged, in production form three years later. It remains one of the stand-out emblems of twentieth century automotive design to this day.

Widespread refinements

In this milestone year the third generation successor to the trailblazing original car has been given a subtle visual lift. In all versions this brings a new three-dimensional Singleframe radiator grille design, larger side air inlets and new wheel and colour options.

S line and Black Edition models are further differentiated from their predecessors by a new full-length front splitter flanked by vertical inlets, exclusive side sills with inserts and, at the rear, vertical air inlets with horizontal fins below the rear lights and a remodelled diffuser. For the S line a new 19-inch wheel design freshens the profile, and the Black Edition specification which sits one rung above also benefits from a wheel upgrade from the existing 19-inch to a new 20-inch design. It is also set apart by the addition of the fixed rear spoiler previously reserved for the mighty TT RS as a replacement for the current speed-dependent active spoiler, which becomes a no-cost option. The TTS Black Edition also receives this upgrade. To round off the exterior changes a new turbo blue paint finish has been reserved for S line and Black Edition models, while the new colours cosmos blue and pulse orange have also been added to the palette for the range as a whole.

Inside, a number of detail enhancements further strengthen the appeal of the TT as a performance coupé that also makes light work of everyday duties. Sport and S line versions receive folding door mirrors and heated seats, and on top of these the S line specification is also enhanced by the addition of even more supportive Super Sports Seats. The upgrade from there to Black Edition now brings the addition of Piano Black inlays and a new Chrome Slate Grey finish for selected interior elements.

Audi Virtual Cockpit now with additional sport display

These gains boost an already attractive range-wide standard equipment list that includes the fully digital Audi Virtual Cockpit, now featuring an additional sport display providing information on engine output, torque and g forces, plus leather and Alcantara combination upholstery, keyless go, the Audi Music Interface for convenient playlist access and the MMI Radio incorporating the touch-sensitive MMI Touch control panel. Equally important driving-focused features such as Xenon headlamps for Sport models and LED units for S line and above, LED daytime running lamps, cruise control, rear parking sensors and the Audi drive select dynamic handling system also form part of the standard specification.

The exclusive specification reserved for TTS and TTS Black Edition models hasn’t been left out of the expansion plan – both now benefit from a Technology Pack incorporating hard disc-based MMI Navigation Plus, a three-year subscription to the many internet-based Audi Connect infotainment services and Audi Phone Box wireless handset charging. In addition to its new fixed rear spoiler the TTS Black Edition also upsizes to a new 20-inch wheel and incorporates the new Chrome slate grey and Piano black interior elements.

High-powered: the TFSI engines

The ‘touchpoint’ changes to the latest TT go hand in hand with enhancements that are less immediately noticeable. The 1.8-litre, 180PS TFSI engine which has powered lead-in models until now is replaced by a 2.0-litre TFSI with 197PS, and the existing 230PS 2.0 TFSI is boosted to 245PS. The two units with their new outputs are categorised according to the latest Audi naming convention, meaning the 197PS version is badged 40 TFSI and the 245PS 45 TFSI. In common with the rest of the Audi range the performance-focused ‘S’ model retains its original model designation.

All the latest petrol engines are equipped with a petrol particulate filter (OPF) – in the TTS and TTS Black Edition this has the effect of slightly reducing the power output to 306PS (from 310PS), but at the same time 0-62mph performance has fractionally improved in both Coupé and Roadster variants – the respective 4.5-second and 4.8-second sprint times are a tenth faster than previously.

In conjunction with the 197PS TFSI engine customers have the choice of a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission; the 245PS unit is available with either the manual gearbox and front-wheel-drive or with the S tronic transmission and the multi-plate clutch-based quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. Both versions of the TTS feature quattro as standard.

In both transmission types, the close-ratio lower gears enable powerful acceleration, while the wide ratio of each transmission’s highest gear reduces the engine speed and with it fuel consumption.

Keen response: the chassis and quattro drive

Sports suspension is not surprisingly a standard feature of all TT versions, and to take this a step further S line and Black Edition versions can be fitted as a no-cost option with S line sports suspension lowered by a further 10mm. The TTS and TTS Black Edition models with their ‘S-specific’ suspension and quattro drive are also equipped with Audi magnetic ride adaptive damper control for optimal composure under pressure.

Progressive steering is fitted across the range for increased response in corners and reduced load during low speed manoeuvres, and all versions also include wheel-selective torque control which optimises handling as necessary by means of precise brake interventions on the unloaded wheels on the inside of a bend.

The portfolio of driver assistance systems also embodies the TT philosophy: they relieve the driver of work so that he or she can fully concentrate on the road. The lineup extends from the lane change assistant Audi side assist, the lane departure warning system Audi active lane assist and traffic sign recognition to the park assist with display of the surroundings and a rearview camera.

Classic: TT Roadster and TTS Roadster with soft top

Like every open-top Audi, the new TT Roadster and TTS Roadster come with a soft top in either black or grey. The soft top has a taut fit, and its excellent sound insulation makes it an “acoustic top.” At 39 kilograms, it is very light and doesn’t compromise the luggage compartment when it retracts at the touch of a button in around ten seconds at vehicle speeds of up to 31mph.

“TT 20 years” anniversary model

A total of 999 examples of the “TT 20 years” special edition will also be produced to mark the anniversary of this core Audi model. With seats finished in fine Nappa leather in moccasin brown with specific Panuka contrasting stitching the interior of the 20 Years special edition harks back to the early cars with their ‘Baseball Leather’ upholstery. “TT 20 years” badges on the steering wheel and gear lever knob also mark the car out, as do stainless steel tailpipes in a specific design, Matrix OLED rear lights and matt-finished Audi rings above the side sills. The “TT 20 years” will be available in Coupe and Roadster body styles with either Arrow grey or Nano grey paint finishes.

A winning score for the Audi TT – To coincide with its 20^th anniversary the third generation of the trailblazing Audi TT has benefited from styling updates, detail equipment enhancements and power upgrades. The occasion has also been marked by a limited run ‘TT 20 Years’ version.

Note to Editors

Audi again set a new global sales record in 2017 despite difficult trading conditions, finishing the year 0.6% ahead of 2016 with a total of 1,878,100 customer deliveries. Sales in the UK market levelled out slightly to 174,982 cars, while market share increased to 6.9% - a domestic record for the brand. This strong performance has been achieved with the help of an investment programme that is set to channel a total of €24 billion into new model development and innovative technologies by 2019. Audi lives up to its corporate responsibility and has strategically established the principle of sustainability for its products and processes. The long-term goal is CO2-neutral mobility. This philosophy also applies to the brand’s sports car racing activities, in which Audi made history in 2012 by winning the Le Mans 24-hour race using pioneering hybrid diesel technology in the R18 e-tron quattro. Since its first engagement in 1999 Audi Sport has chalked up a total of 13 victories in the legendary endurance marathon. The brand entered a new chapter in motorsport in 2017 by fully committing to both Formula E and the World RX Championship with factory-backed programmes.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

The new Audi Q8 (combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 6.8 – 6.6*; combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 179 – 172*) delivers its very own interpretation of a large four-door SUV coupé with its striking design and excellent adaptability. Together with the Audi A8, the Audi A7 Sportback and the Audi A6, it constitutes the new full-size class in the brand’s product portfolio. With their extensive package of innovative technologies, the full-size models once again underscore “Vorsprung durch Technik” and offer customers a great deal of utility value.

Audi Q8: new SUV coupé now available in Audi dealerships
With the market introduction, customers can now experience the new Audi Q8 at Audi dealerships. The four-door coupé is the top-of-the-line model among the SUVs and Audi’s latest member in the full-size class. The premium brand has renewed its A8, A7 and A6 model lines within the space of a year, and crowned its SUV portfolio with a new top-of-the-range model, the Audi Q8. Regardless of whether it is a SUV coupé, Gran Turismo or business sedan, the new full-size models combine a shared DNA, both in terms of design and technology. Compared with each other, however, they boast totally different talents and configurations.

Audi’s new full-size class – from the four-door SUV coupé through to the business sedan
The model and technology campaign got underway with the Audi A8 in July 2017. The Audi flagship conveyed for the first time the new design language and underscores the brand claim “Vorsprung durch Technik” thanks to its many technical innovations. These include the futuristic MMI touch response operating system, the broad-based electrification with standard mild hybrid system, new suspension components such as the dynamic all-wheel steering, and a host of driver assist systems. Thanks to consistent technology transfer, the other full-size models adopt numerous technology modules from the luxury sedan – enabling them to offer a unique technology and driving experience in their segment.

New design language – hallmark design and five individual versions
The new design language is a visible sign of Audi’s new full-size models. All models share the quattro blisters in common – distinctively shaped contours above the wheel arches. They are a throwback to the Audi Ur-quattro and visualize the technology of the quattro drive. The heavily contoured center of the car contributes to this feel on all models. The striking Singleframe grille is flatter and wider on the A models and on the Q8 configured as an octagon to provide greater visual differentiation. The new Audi design language comes with a clear, unique hallmark – however with five individual characters.

The A8 is the first Audi model from the pen of design chief Marc Lichte and marks the start of the new design language. While the A8 embodies elegance, sophistication and progressive status, the A7 with its large surfaces and muscular taut lines encapsulates the essence of the new design language, which the premium brand first brought to the public’s attention in 2014 with its Audi prologue show car. The A6 Sedan fascinates with its technical elegance, which expresses the out-and-out technical expertise of the four rings. It is compelling with optimum proportions and short overhangs. The A6 Avant combines form and function with its long, flat roof line and the highly dynamic, low-profile D-pillar. The Audi Q8 in turn with its octagonal radiator grille transfers the design language in a novel way to the SUV segment.

The lighting design of the new full-size class constitutes a fascinating synthesis of design and technology. For the first time, the design embraces light in motion. Individual light sequencing on the front headlights and the rear lights underscores the model’s particular character when opening and closing the vehicle. Audi A8, A7 and Q8 feature a full-length light strip at the rear. With the innovative lighting design, the brand underscores its leading role and makes technology – literally – visible.

Clarity is the new premium. In the interior, driver and passengers can look forward to a cut-down interior design, which is characterized by large trim strips with a black-panel design. The clear, simple horizontal interior design creates a generous sense of space. While the A8 and Q8 go for a symmetrical arrangement of the instrument panel, the instrument panel on the A7 and A6 is angled toward the driver and the user interface – surrounded by aluminum clips – split up into individual “operating islands.” Individually configurable interior lighting such as the contour/ambient lighting package with a choice of 30 colors underscores the futuristic lounge atmosphere.

Digital operating concept – synthesis of form and function
The new Audi full-size class is based on consistent digitalization with the MMI touch response operating system and combines form and function. Instead of a large number of physical switches and buttons, two central, high-resolution operating screens on the center console control almost all the vehicle functions. Operation is intuitive, like on a smartphone.

The tactile/acoustic feedback of the screens provides reliable access to functions even while on the move. Just like on a smartphone, the operating icons can be moved individually on the screens, and shortcuts and favorite buttons set up based on personal preferences. This digital user experience is rounded off with the high resolution Audi virtual cockpit. The online voice control system understands natural voice commands and can be activated conveniently via a steering wheel button.

Mild hybrid – 100 percent broad-based electrification
Audi’s full-size class is also innovative in terms of engines. To enhance comfort and efficiency, all models are fitted standard with mild hybrid technology (MHEV, mild hybrid electric vehicles). The Audi engineers have linked the MHEV drive to the vehicle’s sensors, thus ensuring anticipatory, predictive control along with enhanced efficiency.

The six and eight-cylinder engines use a 48V MHEV system; the four-cylinder units come with a 12V system. At the heart of the 48V system is a belt alternator starter, which instantly and smoothly restarts the combustion engine. At the same time, it extends the start-stop system to up to 22 km/h (13.7 mph). Between 55 and 160 km/h (34.2 – 99.4 mph) the full-size models can coast fuel-efficiently with the combustion engine shut off. The drive management decides on the suitable strategy. The lithium-ion battery housed in the rear stores the recovered energy and passes this onto auxiliary consumers such as the air conditioning or the oil pump in the transmission. In real-world driving, fuel savings of up to 0.7 liters (0.2 US gal) are possible.

The 12V MHEV system in the four-cylinder variants in the A7 and A6 model lines provides up to 0.3 liters (0.1 US gal) lower fuel consumption; the compact lithium-ion battery is housed in the forward structure of the car.

Suspension – the dynamic all-wheel steering for more agility and comfort
The extensive range of suspension configurations ensures far greater driving pleasure and more ride comfort. The dynamic all-wheel steering is available for all full-size models, which – tuned to each specific model – ensures an even better synthesis of comfort and agility. The Audi engineers combine two different components. On the one hand, progressive steering with variable steering ratio, which combines a high level of steering comfort with a direct steering impulse. On the other, the rear-axle steering turns the wheels by up to 5 degrees in the opposite direction at speeds up to 60 km/h (37.3 mph), thus reducing the turning circle by up to 1.1 meters (3.6 ft). Above 60 km/h (37.3 mph) it steers in the same direction as the front wheels, thus improving straight-line and track stability. In this way, Audi resolves the conflicting objectives of direct steering response, high steering comfort and high agility.

The adaptive air suspension, available as an option in the A6, A7 and Q8, and standard in the A8, enhances ride comfort. For drivers with more dynamic aspirations, Audi also offers a sport suspension, configured as an air spring suspension on the Q8. Controlled dampers as an all-round suspension are available as an option for the A6 and A7; they come fitted standard on the Q8.

From early 2019, the active suspension will be offered specifically for the chauffeur-driven

A8 Sedan and the long-wheelbase version A8 L. This suspension variant offers a unique comfort experience in the luxury liner that is up to 5.30 meters (17.4 ft) long. This fully active, electromechanical suspension system drives each wheel individually and adapts to the road as needed using the front camera built into the windshield. Each wheel has an electric motor which is powered by the 48-volt main electrical system.

The various suspension components from the rear-axle steering through to the suspension control systems are processed centrally by a control unit – the electronic chassis platform (ECP). As such, the full-size class offers greater comfort and sportiness in equal measure.

Driver assistance systems – greater comfort and safety
More than three dozen driver assist systems and an extensive sensor set make Audi’s full-size models the ideal travel companion. The central driver assistance controller (zFAS) uses up to 15 sensors to compute a permanent image of the surroundings. These include four front corner radars, a long-range radar and a front camera as well as various ultrasonic sensors. The top innovation is the laser scanner, which further augments the functionality of various assist systems. The sensors are configured redundantly for maximum system reliability.

The Audi A8 is the first automobile to have been specially developed for piloted driving at SAE level 3. The traffic jam pilot takes complete charge of driving in slow-moving traffic at up to 60 km/h (37.3 mph) on freeways and highways where a physical barrier separates the two carriageways. In planning the exact introduction scenarios for the level 3 system, Audi is moving in an intensive interplay between the findings from testing and the requirements that legislators and approval authorities are now defining for conditional automated driving.

The individual models at a glance
Audi offers the right solution whatever your needs, from the A8 luxury sedan, the A7 Gran Turismo, the A6 company car, the A6 Avant touring car and the Q8 – the beau among the SUV coupés.

Audi Q8
As the newest member of the Q model family, the Audi Q8 with its expressive exterior appeals to design-oriented customers and, thanks to the long, flat roof line with its gentle downward slope, makes no compromises in terms of spaciousness and everyday practicality. Luxuriously equipped with numerous comfort and connectivity features from the A8, the SUV coupé also cuts a fine figure off-road and is a poised companion for business and leisure.

Audi A6 Sedan
The upgrade in the business class. With the A6, Audi is presenting the eighth generation of its successful full-size sedan and brings numerous innovations from the luxury class to the full-size class. Whether in terms of digitalization, comfort or sportiness – the elegantly sculptured Audi A6 is the multitalent in the segment. Like almost no other model, it symbolizes the Audi brand worldwide, for company car drivers in Europe, performance-oriented customers in the United States or as a technology status symbol in China.

Audi A6 Avant
Attractive station wagons go by the name Avant – the new Audi A6 Avant continues this brand aspiration. It combines superb everyday utility and excellent adaptability with dynamic design. The rear has a striking design, yet offers a flexible luggage compartment concept with 565 to 1,680 liters (20.0 – 59.3 cu ft) of luggage capacity. The drive and suspension are designed with comfort and sportiness in mind. The dynamic all-wheel steering really does live up to the name of Avant.

Audi A7 Sportback
The large four-door coupé is the essence of Audi’s new design language. Emotive design, plus the sporty character and innovative technology: The new Audi A7 Sportback is a new style of Gran Turismo, offering systematic digitalization, a dynamic driving experience and a space concept that fulfills a wide range of customer requirements. It is enthralling with the design of a coupé, the comfort of a sedan and the variability of an Avant.

Audi A8
The fourth model generation of the Audi A8 is again the reference for Vorsprung durch Technik. The luxury sedan demonstrates this with a new design language, which embodies elegance and progressive status, innovative suspension solutions, futuristic touch operating concept and consistent drivetrain electrification. The new Audi A8 is the first series-production automobile in the world to have been developed for conditional automated driving at level 3. The new black gloss package extends the customization options for the large sedan and adds sporty highlights – including on the Singleframe, bumpers and window strips as well as optionally on the exterior mirrors.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

Audi will reveal a world first during the 2018 Pebble Beach Car Week in California – a supercar concept car with electric drive. Pebble Beach Car Week, held every August in and around the Californian coastal city of Monterey, has long been considered the world’s most important forum for lovers of exquisite automobiles. Interest is not limited here to vintage cars but instead includes leading-edge design study concept cars and visionary technology.

The abbreviated name for the Audi premiere – Audi PB18 e-tron – refers to the Pebble Beach venue and the year of the debut. It likewise recalls the LeMans-series winner Audi R18 e-tron, whose technology inspired the solutions for various details. The styling of the Audi PB 18 e-tron was developed at the new Malibu Design Loft.

The Audi PB18 e-tron will be unveiled at 5 p.m. on August 23, 2018, on the Laguna Seca racetrack. The concept car will then be shown at the legendary vehicle presentation “The Quail” on August 24 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Audi will present the concept car once more in Laguna Seca on August 25 (8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.). And the concept car can be seen for the final time on Sunday, August 26, at the Concours d’Elegance in Pebble Beach. In parallel to the show car world premiere, Audi is also showing an extensive range of vintage cars and performance vehicles.

Article source: www.audi-mediacenter.com

Audi’s engineers are currently developing the company’s first all-electric vehicle. Almost 250 e-tron prototypes are being pushed to the limit in extreme conditions on a three-million-mile global test schedule. Customers in the UK are now able to place a fully refundable £1000 deposit, prior to the first cars arriving in 2019.

This example recently spent time in the cavernous high-voltage bay at electrification specialist Siemens’ Berlin switchgear plant. Experts aimed a flash-over voltage at the SUV, causing what appeared to be bolts of lightning to crackle millimetres above its roof. The e-tron prototype conducted itself impeccably, of course.

01. EYE OF THE HURRICANE

Positioned inside the Audi Wind Tunnel Centre in Ingolstadt, in front of a rotor measuring five metres in diameter, the Audi e-tron prototype prepares to face wind speeds of up to 186mph. The vehicle has undergone more than 1000 hours of testing in this state-of-the-art facility.

02. LIFE’S NOT A DRAG

Extensive testing in the wind tunnel has resulted in a drag coefficient (the measurement that quantifies how easily a vehicle glides through the air) of just 0.28*. This helps endow the Audi e-tron prototype with an electric driving range of more than 400km (248.5 miles)* in the WLTP cycle.

*preliminary figures

03. MIRROR, MIRROR

The production version of the Audi
e-tron prototype will be offered with optional virtual exterior mirrors projecting images on to OLED displays. This will cut the SUV’s width by 15cm, reduce aerodynamic drag and lessen the vehicle’s already low levels of wind noise.

04. HIDDEN BEAUTY

The Audi e-tron prototype boasts underbody ‘dimples’ – bowl-shaped indentations around the bolting points for the aluminium plate that protects the high-voltage battery. Similar to the dimples on a golf ball, these make the airflow much more effectively than a totally flat surface.

2O2O VISION

Audi’s new electric e-tron Vision Gran Turismo is a computer-game contender made real. The concept was originally developed for the world of cult PlayStation game Gran Turismo, but Audi has now built it for real at its pre-production centre – and in just 11 months. Under its sleek bodywork is a steel spaceframe chassis that supports no fewer than three 200kW electric motors and a permanent all-wheel-drive system. At each corner lie slick racing tyres, which help the car put all of its 815PS to the ground and sprint to 62mph in under 2.5 seconds. The car is currently used to give guests ‘race taxi’ rides during various rounds of the FIA Formula E Championship. Audi Sport has confirmed it will launch a production version of the car in 2020.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

Sharper lines and a wealth of sophisticated technology bring the perennially popular Audi compact SUV right up to speed

Latest Audi design with more space, comfort and technology
New operating concept: Audi Virtual Cockpit and MMI touch display as standard for launch models
Connected like the full-size segment: smart infotainment and clever assistance systems
Open for UK ordering in the autumn – first deliveries in late 2018

The right amount of space for a demanding family, the right amount of SUV road presence without feeling overbearing on tighter urban streets and the right combination of enduring quality, practicality and efficiency – the Audi Q3 has struck the right balance throughout its best-selling seven-year lifespan, and its all-new successor maintains that same equilibrium while taking on board absolutely contemporary Audi design, technology and connectivity. A fully digital cabin incorporating the Audi Virtual Cockpit and a large MMI touch display makes its debut, as do numerous infotainment solutions connecting the compact SUV with its environment and a wide variety of driver aids offering support when parking, in town and on long journeys.

Strength and presence: the exterior design
Sharper creases and sleeker lines lend the latest Audi Q3 a significantly more purposeful air than its predecessor. The Singleframe with its octagonal design and eight vertical bars, the large side air inlets and the slim headlights with their wedge shape set the scene upfront. They use LED technology in all versions and are paired with LED daytime running lamps. As an option, visibility can be further enhanced by adding Matrix LED units whose adaptive high beam intelligently illuminates the road.

A highlight in the side view is the symmetrical lighting graphics of the headlights and rear lights. The shoulder line connects them from a styling perspective and adds to the overall impression of strength with defined accents over the wheel arches which draw their inspiration from Audi’s quattro DNA and make the SUV seem even wider. Supported by a long roof edge spoiler, which also flanks the rear window at the side, the steeply raked D pillars also make a considerable contribution to the more purposeful stance.

The bolder new body will be available in a choice of 11 paint colours, and initially in the UK in Sport or S line specification, the latter featuring an exclusive design for the bumpers, sill trims and diffuser. LED headlamps with LED daytime running lamps, dynamic rear indicators and a full paint finish will be standard for these versions, and as part of the planned programme of customisation options it will be possible to order a contrasting colour finish for the attachments in the lower body section in Sport versions to accentuate the SUV look even further.

Driver-oriented and sporty: the interior
The more sophisticated exterior is complemented by a cabin design which is clearly inspired by the brand’s full-size models. Its focal point is a reductive instrument panel which references the motif of the Singleframe and is surrounded by a wide chrome strip. It is divided into two levels, the top part including the air vents and the bottom section the large octagonal area with its black-panel look. The high-gloss black trim surrounds the central element of the new operating concept: the MMI touch display. Together with the air conditioning controls underneath, it is tilted 10 degrees toward the driver. All displays, buttons and controls are located ergonomically.

Supportive sport seats with either full cloth upholstery in Sport models or a combination of cloth and synthetic Twin leather in the S line are standard. In the S line there are two further extra cost upholstery options - full Twin leather or Twin leather and Alcantara – and the latter option is also available for the Sport model. For the first time Alcantara also appears as an option for the surfaces of the instrument panel and the door armrests. They are available in three colours, including a bold orange.

In the dark, the optional contour/ambient lighting package sets pinpoint lighting accents on the centre console and on the doors. It can be set to 30 colours and also illuminates the storage compartment under the instrument panel as well as the quattro logo above the glove compartment, or the Audi rings on front-wheel-drive models.

Large and adaptable: the space concept

Manufactured at the Győr plant in Hungary, and based on the Volkswagen Group’s modular transverse matrix, the Audi Q3 has grown in virtually all dimensions and is positioned in the upper compact SUV segment. It is 4,485 millimetres long, making it 97 millimetres longer than its predecessor, and has grown in width by 18 millimetres to 1,849 millimetres, but at 1,585 millimetres it sits five millimetres lower than the first-generation Q3. Its wheelbase, which has been stretched 78 millimetres to 2,681 millimetres, facilitates the inclusion of considerably more knee room, headroom and elbow room.

In typical SUV fashion, the Audi Q3 is easy to get into, with good all-round visibility, and yet offers the high seating position typical of the model category. The three-seater rear bench can be moved fore/aft by 150 millimetres as standard depending on the need for passenger and luggage capacity, and its three-way split backrest in the ratio 40:20:40 can be tilted in seven stages. For even greater comfort the rear seat can be equipped as an option with a centre armrest incorporating two cup holders.

The luggage compartment is also easily accessible thanks to the standard electrically powered tailgate. Its capacity totals 530 or 675 litres depending on the position of the rear seats and backrests - with the backrests completely folded down the figure rises to 1,525 litres. The loading floor can be adjusted in three levels, and the low loading sill of 748 millimetres makes stowing heavy luggage easier. If the parcel shelf is not needed, it can be stowed under the loading floor. For extra peace-of-mind on long journeys, a storage and luggage compartment package is available as an option which includes nets on the backs of the front seats, a storage compartment under the front passenger seat, a luggage compartment net and LED spotlights in the tailgate to provide illumination whatever the vehicle is carrying.

Digital world: controls and displays

Analogue instruments have been consigned to history in the new Q3 - its operating and display concept has been overhauled from the ground up. In Sport and S line versions the fully digital MMI touch display with 10.1-inch screen in the centre of the instrument panel is standard, as is MMI navigation plus and the Audi Virtual Cockpit with a 10.25 inch screen within the binnacle. Using the multifunction steering wheel the driver can use this not only to view key data such as road and engine speed, but also to manage MMI functions and access music tracks, Audi connect services and navigation mapping. The driver can configure the display according to their needs and has all the data in their direct field of view.

In addition, the two launch versions are equipped with new natural-language voice control. It understands freely structured wording, asks questions if necessary, allows corrections, offers choices and defers to the speaker when interrupted. Responses to enquiries are made not just with the benefit of information stored onboard, but also with detailed knowledge from the cloud – the same feature already premiered in the Audi A8. The online cross-referencing improves both the detection rate as well as the results

Intelligently connected: infotainment and Audi connect
The MMI navigation plus in the Audi Q3 offers the same technical functions as in the higher segments. The navigation, for instance, recognises the driver’s preferences based on previous journeys, allowing it to generate suitable route suggestions. The route is calculated – in parallel to the planning in the car – on the servers of the map and navigation provider HERE, using real-time data for the overall traffic situation.

The Audi connect portfolio which is offered on a three-year subscription basis as standard for Sport and S line versions supplements the navigation using the LTE Advanced standard. It provides its services in virtually all European countries via a SIM card which is permanently installed in the vehicle. These services include the high resolution satellite images of Google Earth, traffic information online, the point-of-interest search as well as information on parking spaces and filling stations, which appear directly on the navigation map – where necessary also with dynamic additional information such as prices and availability. Audi connect also includes media streaming, online news, access to Twitter and to the e-mail inbox. A Wi-Fi hotspot for the passengers’ mobile devices is available through the purchase of an optional data package which the customer can add conveniently from the car.

Hybrid radio is also included in the specification. Depending on a station’s signal strength it automatically switches between FM, DAB and the online stream to ensure optimum reception at all times.

Many Audi connect functions are brought together in the myAudi app. It connects the customer’s smartphone to the new Q3, allowing, for instance, navigation routes to be imported seamlessly via myAudi Navigation. Once the user gets into their car, route guidance is continued on the onboard monitor. On departure at the end of the journey, the smartphone navigates them onto their next destination.

The app also supports music streaming and transfers the smartphone calendar onto the MMI. Furthermore, the user can remotely lock and unlock their car, consult the current vehicle status and pinpoint where their Audi Q3 is parked using the myAudi app on their smartphone.

A range of hardware modules supplements the infotainment portfolio. The Audi smartphone interface which is standard in the UK links customers’ iOS and Android cell phones and places their Apple Car Play or Android Auto environment on the MMI display. From the options list customers can also specify the Audi phone box for inductive wireless charging of mobile handsets, and can enhance connectivity for rear passengers by adding two USB sockets and a 12V socket for the back seats.

These are available to supplement the two standard fit USB ports upfront, one of which has been configured in the latest type C format, that facilitate music playback from MP3 players, USB sticks or smartphones via the loudspeakers in the car. This innovation supports faster transfer rates and makes it easy to connect thanks to a symmetrical plug.

The Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System with virtual 3D sound provides three-dimensional audio. The sound experience is generated through four additional loudspeakers in the instrument panel and one in each D pillar. A special algorithm that Audi developed in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute adds great width and depth to the sound – the interior of the Audi Q3 sounds larger. The sound system uses 15 loudspeakers altogether and produces a total output of 680 watts.

Convenience and safety: driver assistance systems

The Audi Q3 is also at the top of its class when it comes to assist systems. Audi Side Assist is standard in the UK, its two radar sensors constantly scanning for vehicles located in the blind spots or approaching quickly from behind and illuminating a warning LED in the relevant exterior mirror to alert the driver. To supplement this the standard specification also includes a lane departure warning function active from speeds of approximately 37mph to help prevent the vehicle inadvertently drifting out of the lane. If the driver has not set an indicator and the car is about to cross the lane markings, the system assists with corrective steering intervention. As an option, the driver can set the steering wheel to provide an additional vibration.

The pre sense front safety system is also included – it uses radar to detect critical situations involving pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles and provides the driver with a visual, audible and haptic warning before initiating emergency braking if necessary.

The optional adaptive cruise assist, which is available in combination with the S tronic transmission, adds several more layers of comfort by incorporating the functions of adaptive speed assist, traffic jam assist and active lane assist. In this way it assists the driver with longitudinal and lateral control – substantially enhancing comfort on long journeys in particular.

Manoeuvring is also made easier in the new Audi Q3 by functions such as the optional park assist, which steers the SUV automatically into and out of parking spaces. The driver only has to accelerate, brake and shift gears. If the driver wants to reverse out of a parallel parking space or a tight entrance, cross traffic assist is activated. The system monitors the area behind the vehicle using two radar sensors and alerts the driver in critical situations. The four 360 degree cameras provide another useful function. They show on the large infotainment screen the immediate surroundings of the Audi Q3 when moving at speeds up to 6mph. Touch operation allows the driver to switch between various views. In addition to the virtual bird’s eye view, the reversing camera view and the front and rear 180° panoramic view, there is a detailed view of the front and rear wheels. This enables the driver to align precisely with the kerb.

Agility on- and offroad: the suspension

Manoeuvrable in town, agile on country roads, composed on the motorway – the MacPherson strut front and sophisticated four-link rear suspension underpinning the Audi Q3 has been tuned to feel palpably more comfortable yet familiarly assured and responsive, helped by the latest car’s longer wheelbase. It is combined with an 18-inch wheel design in the Sport version, and a 19-inch for the S line, which also incorporates sport suspension settings for an even more tightly controlled feel.

In the optional suspension with damper control, sensors measure the movements of all four wheels as well as the vehicle’s lateral and longitudinal acceleration and the damper characteristics are then adjusted accordingly to suit the road surface conditions and driving situation. All options are allied to standard progressive steering, the ratio of which becomes gradually more direct as the steering angle increases, adding substantially to the surefooted handling of the new Audi Q3.

Keen drivers can adjust the characteristics of the new Audi Q3 to suit their preferences using the standard Audi drive select dynamic handling system. It includes the six modes auto, comfort, dynamic, offroad, efficiency and individual. They influence the throttle response, the steering, the shift characteristics of the S tronic and the damper control where this is fitted. If regular use away from the beaten track is likely, hill descent control can be specified as an option. Activated at the push of a button, it maintains the preset speed when driving offroad.

Broad range: the engines

At launch four engines will power the new Audi Q3 - three TFSI and one TDI. Their power outputs range from 150PS to 230PS. All four engines are four-cylinder direct injection units with turbocharging, and all are fitted with a particulate filter.

The entry-level engine is the 1.5-litre TFSI with 150PS and 250 Nm of torque. It uses the cylinder on demand efficiency system, which temporarily switches off two cylinders at low load. Using the new Audi naming convention it will be badged 35 TFSI and will be fitted with a fast-shifting seven-speed S tronic and front-wheel drive at launch - a six-speed manual option will follow later.

The 2.0-litre TFSI unit in the Audi Q3 40 TFSI has 190PS and develops maximum torque of 320 Nm. In its uprated form - the Audi Q3 45 TFSI – it has 230PS and 350 Nm of torque. Both engines are coupled as standard with the seven-speed S tronic and use quattro permanent all-wheel drive based around the hydraulic multi-plate clutch.

In the diesel engine line-up, the 2.0-litre unit with 150PS and 340 Nm of torque is the lead-in version. The Q3 35 TDI is initially available with a manual transmission and quattro drive. Shortly afterwards, a seven-speed S tronic version will be offered in combination with front-wheel drive. Following the market launch, a 2.0 TDI developing 190PS will extend the engine range.

The new Audi Q3 will become available to order in the UK in the autumn ahead of first deliveries in late 2018. Pricing and full UK specification will be confirmed nearer to the introduction date.

Audi Q3 gets back on track – The all-new successor to the Audi Q3 becomes available to order in the autumn, combining the familiar virtues of the successful compact SUV with absolutely contemporary Audi design, technology and connectivity and a range of even more efficient TFSI and TDI engines.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

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