Audi Q3 dressed to thrill

Next step down in Audi's SUV lineup will be the Tiguan-size Q3, expected to arrive in 2012
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Audi has adopted BMW-inspired psychedelic camouflage for pre-production versions of its Q3 SUV. Slotting into Audi's SUV range below the Q5, the Q3 is expected to be introduced to Europe in late 2011.

Sharing its platform with the highly successful Volkswagen Tiguan, the Q3 will be a competitor for BMW's X1. The vehicle in these photos has been tracked by Carparazzi's spy photographers at various stages of its development and should be revealed in the flesh at this year's Frankfurt motor show in September.

The spy shots indicate the lines of the Q3 will faithfully replicate Audi styling cues, giving it a sleeker look than the more vertically aligned Tiguan. Indications are the Q3 will be shorter, wider and lower slung than the VW. The Audi Cross Coupe Quattro concept car that signalled the company's intentions in 2007 measured 4380mm long, 1820mm wide and 1600mm tall, establishing a hunkier look more in the Audi corporate style.

A reasonable assumption is that the Q3 will offer less load capacity than the already tight Tiguan.

Powerplants, initially at least, will likely be the same as those used in the Audi A3 models, including turbo four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines, along with six-speed manual or twin-clutch DSG transmissions.

Rumours suggest the Q3, in line with most other similar-size crossovers (except the Tiguan) may offer the choice of front-drive or all-wheel drive.

The Q3 will be built at the SEAT plant in Martorell, Spain, beginning this year, with a production capability of as many as 80,000 cars per annum.

At the launch of the Q5 in early 2009, then Audi Australia MD Joerg Hoffmann implied the Q3 would be a nice fit in Australia by saying it  "made sense" with the Q5 and Q7 already on sale here.

The Q3 is tipped for an Australian introduction early in 2012.

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