Audi Q3 Sportback SUV India Launch Confirmed, Here's What to Expect
Audi India is gearing up to launch its first vehicle for 2023. A new SUV with a coupe-like body style, most likely the new Q3 Sportback, has been teased by the luxury automaker. The all-new Q3 Sportback is based on the standard Q3, launched in August last year.
By Reetika Bhatt
The Q3 Sportback, the Q3's sportier cousin, will be the company's upcoming launch in India as part of Audi India's plans to expand the Q3 family in the country. The all-new coupe SUV's first teaser has been officially released by the luxury automaker on its social media handles. Although the teaser image suggests that the car will have a sloping roofline, a raked windscreen, and LED taillights, the post does not confirm all this. The Audi Q3 Sportback is the coupe version of the Q3 SUV, which went on sale in India in August 2022. The new-gen SUV is expected to cost slightly more than the Q3 SUV. For the uninitiated, the Audi Q3 currently costs between Rs 44.89 lakh and Rs 50.40 lakh (all prices, ex-showroom).
The Q3 Sportback resembles its SUV counterpart in terms of design and styling, with the exception of a sportier honey-comb pattern grille, blacked-out exterior elements, and, of course, the sloping roofline, which lends the car a striking appearance. The coupe-SUV also receives sportier alloy wheels and a slightly modified rear section.
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Coming to the powertrain of the SUV, the Audi Q3 Sportback is presently available in a variety of petrol and diesel engine configurations worldwide. However, because Audi India will only sell the petrol version of the car in India, the coupe SUV will be powered by a TFSI engine. The standard Q3 SUV is currently powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 188bhp of maximum power and 320Nm of peak torque. The same engine is also available in global markets with the Q3 Sportback. Nevertheless, we believe Audi will introduce the more powerful 2.0-litre 45 TFSI version, which churns out a maximum power of 241bhp with 370Nm of peak torque. The engine will be mated to an automatic transmission as standard.
The interior of the car will be identical to that of the standard Q3, with a similar layout and darker trim with sportier accents. The same 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with the Audi user interface present in the Q3 SUV will be included with the upcoming Q3 Sportback. The unit includes MMI navigation, an Audi smartphone interface, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, among other things. Other features could include a wireless charging pad, 30-colour ambient lighting, LED headlights, the Audi Virtual Cockpit, electrically adjustable seats, dual-zone climate control, a 10-speaker audio system, and more.
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It's most likely that the new Audi Q3 Sportback will be positioned above the Q3 SUV. The upcoming vehicle is expected to cost more than Rs 50 lakh (ex-showroom). Two different variants of the model are expected to be offered. Once launched, the Q3 Sportback is going to compete against the Volvo XC40, the BMW X1, and the Mercedes-Benz GLA.
Meanwhile, Audi recently announced a 4.187 unit increase in retail sales in India, or a 27.14 per cent increase, for 2022. In 2021, the company sold 3,293 units. Audi India reported that its performance in 2022 was boosted by a strong product line-up, a recovery in customer sentiment, and strong business continuity despite the fact that supply chain issues and a shortage of semiconductors continue to limit growth.
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