Audi Q3 News

Australians have a "strange love" for big wheels and option packs, according to Audi executives - and Ingolstadt is taking notice.

Audi has revealed the new-generation version of its Q3 Sportback ‘coupe’ SUV ahead of its Australian arrival in early 2026.

One of Audi’s most popular models is getting a modern makeover.The big news is the Audi Q3 isn’t going all-electric, instead it will use petrol power with mild hybrid assistance and plug-in hybrid grunt.Audi isn’t giving up on diesel either with an oil-burner variant confirmed for Europe.The base mild-hybrid petrol, which is a likely starter for Australia, uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with mild-hybrid tech and produces 110kW.This is joined by purely petrol motors that make 150kW and 320Nm and a 2.0-litre unit that makes 195kW and 400Nm paired with all-wheel drive.A 110kW/360Nm diesel engine caps off the internal combustion engine variants.Sitting at the top of the range is the plug-in hybrid version, which pairs a petrol engine with an electric motor for a total of 100kW/400Nm.This is combined with a sizeable 25.7kWh battery, which can deliver an electric-only driving range of 120km as tested under the benchmark WLTP cycle.It can be charged at up to 50kW via a DC fast charger that can top up the battery from 10 to 80 per cent in under half an hour.Audi claims it has done substantial work on the suspension to improve the driving dynamics and a smoother commute.The Q3 sports a fresh face, with a big bold grille featuring lattice work design, big side intakes and sleek headlights with pixel LED styling. This is added to broader shoulders and a sleek side profile and curvy panel creases.The Q3 will be rammed with active driver aids and hi-tech features, including a 12.8-inch multimedia display and a 11.9-inch digital driver display. Included in the new safety tech is the controversial driver attention warning, which uses a camera to watch the driver for signs of drowsiness or a lack of concentration. In other brands this tech goes off for menial reasons such as looking at the rear-view mirror or squinting into the sunlight.The new Q3 will launch in Europe later this year, with an Australian arrival likely for the first half of 2026.

If you’ve seen a lot of BMWs on the road lately, there is a reason for it.The Bavarian giant is officially Australia’s favourite premium automotive brand.According to 2024 sales figures, BMW capped the year with 26,341 sales. That represents a modest 0.6 per cent bump over its 2023 results, or in actual figures, BMW sold 157 more cars last year than the year before.For years BMW was the number two marque in Australia behind archrival Mercedes-Benz. But that shifted a few years ago and now BMW is the dominant force in the premium segment.Mercedes splits its sales between two business units — Mercedes-Benz Cars and Mercedes-Benz Vans. Given none of its premium rivals offer commercial vans or utes, we will focus on cars.BMW was the 14th best-selling brand overall in 2024, wedged between Volkswagen in 13th and Suzuki in 15th.But how did it do so well last year? A couple of factors — SUVs and EVs.Sixty two per cent of BMW sales were for its ‘X’ SUV range. And the leader of that pack was the X1 small SUV with 4536 sales. Despite these solid numbers, it was beaten by the Audi Q3 for sales in the small SUV segment.The X3 was BMW’s next best seller, capturing high sales in runout ahead of the new-gen model arriving, and X5 was third best, while the X7 and 7 Series saloon had their best sales results ever.BMW’s EV sales were also a strong point, with just under 30 per cent of its total sales coming from electric cars. The iX1, i4, iX2 and iX3 made up the bulk of deliveries.Mercedes-Benz recorded 19,989 units in 2024, which was down by 17.8 per cent compared with 2023. Despite having a broader model range, the Stuttgart-based manufacturer saw double-digit sales declines for some of its most popular models including the C-Class (-26%), CLA (-32.7%), A-Class (-16.5%), GLC (-19.3%) and GLE (-41.4%).Benz fared better with some of its EV range, with the EQE medium SUV up by more than 200 per cent to 759 sales and the EQS large SUV also in positive territory (+126.7%). The GLA small SUV was the brand’s best seller, recording 3103 sales, up a healthy 65 per cent year on year.Coming third in the premium car sales race was Audi with 15,333, which represented a 19.5 per cent drop on its 2023 result.The decline can in part be put down to the delayed launch of the Q4 e-tron electric SUV, which now arrives in February, as well as some ageing model lines like the A4 and Q5 mid sizers. Both will be replaced in 2025 with new-gen models.The end of sales for the A1 hatch and TT sports car have also likely had an impact.Like Mercedes, Audi’s sales were a mixed bag. The Q3 was the brand’s star performer, capturing 5497 sales (+23.3%) to top the premium small SUV segment.The only other Audi model in positive sales territory was, interestingly, the A6 (+12%). Large sedans aren’t super popular these days so it’s a great result for a solid offering.On the flipside, the Q7 and A3 went backwards, but the SUV is about to get a big refresh in February, and the A3 has just been updated, too, so they should pick up in 2025.Aside from BMW, Porsche was the only premium brand to achieve sales growth in 2024, with 7029 units up 16.1 per cent. Every model line except the Panamera (-5.7%) and Taycan (-47.3%) saw double or triple-digit growth.Other premium contenders Lexus (13,642, -10.2%), Genesis (1400, -26.9%) and Volvo (8898, -20%) all had sales drops in 2024.

The cost of electric cars is coming down at last and it’s happening fast, too, with big brands slashing prices.

Audi has given most of its range a safety and features updated for its 2024 model year, with just about the entire Audi range now coming with features like adaptive cruise control as standard.

Audi is having a bumper year. Sales are up and the brand has much better supply than in 2022. But is Audi chasing competitors like BMW and even Tesla? The German carmaker has had a very positive 2023 so far. To the end of July, Audi has sold 10,644 vehicles in Australia, which represents a 37.4 per cent increase on the same period in 2022.

Audi Australia has added a touch of darkness to its A4, A5 Sportback, Q2, Q3, A5 and Q7 line-up with the introduction of limited-time Dynamic Black variants.

Is Audi about to spring a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) surprise on EV-crazy premium SUV buyers? While not confirming the Q5 PHEV as yet for Australia, the local arm has hinted strongly that the petrol-electric midsized crossover version of one of its bestsellers might be the next electrified model for our market.

Audi Australia has lifted pricing across its entire product range for 2022 by as much as $7600.According to Audi Australia corporate communications manager Shaun Cleary, the brand has passed on the increased cost of production as the industry battles with