New Audi Q3 is ready to go!

Text: Jack Rix / Photos: autoscoop.biz

13th August 2010

IT’s not often that our spy photographers capture a secret new car behind closed doors, but that’s exactly what happened here with Audi’s Q3.

Spotted through a window at one of the company’s facilitiesin Ingolstadt, Germany, the heavily camouflaged junior SUV is in the middle of a rigorous testing schedule, suggesting that its public debut cannot be too far away.

The BMW X1 rival will be built at SEAT’s Martorelli plant in Spain, with production starting early in 2011 – an indication we will see the production Q3 at October’s Paris Motor Show.

Despite being obscured by the slats, the coupé-like sloping roofline, as previewed by the Cross Coupé Quattro concept at the 2007 Shanghai show, is clearly visible. Under the skin, the Q3 will use a platform borrowed from the Volkswagen Tiguan.

Two and four-wheel-drive versions will be offered, fitted with the four-cylinder turbodiesel and TFSI petrol engines.