Want to pay more for less? Here’s the new Audi Q3 Sportback

Back in June, Audi showed off its new, third-generation Q3. That was just the standard SUV version though, so you’d now better say hello to the new, second-generation Q3 Sportback. Because yes, it wasn’t until the second Q3 that Audi realised it could chop the back of the roof off and charge more money for it.

So, when the new SUV goes on sale in September it’ll be priced from £38,000 for the petrol, £40,000 for the diesel and £45,800 for the plug-in hybrid. The Sportback will get all the same powertrain options, but each will cost an extra £1,500 over the SUV prices.

Want more powertrain info? The entry level TFSI petrol is a 1.5-litre turbo four-pot with mild-hybrid tech that sends 148bhp to the front wheels. The TDI also gets 148bhp at its front wheels, although it’s a 2.0-litre unit and there’s a good deal more torque - 184lb ft in the petrol vs 266lb ft in the diesel.

You’ve then got the option of two sportier petrol powertrains with quattro all-wheel drive. They’re both 2.0-litre turbos and offer 201bhp or 261bhp. The top of the range PHEV is actually the most powerful of the lot though, with 268bhp when the 1.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor are working together. There’s also a 19.7kWh usable battery for an impressive all-electric range of 72 miles.

But why would you buy the Sportback over the SUV? Beats us, though Audi said it “combines the strengths of an SUV with the aesthetics of a coupe”. The roofline is 29mm lower than the SUVs for “an even sportier appearance and a faster silhouette”.

You’ll notice the new singleframe grille up front of course, plus the fancy LED lights front and rear. Worth noting the full width rear lightbar will only be available with some trim levels though. Depending on your spec, there’s also three different suspension setups (standard, sport or adaptive), and the wheels range from 18 to 20in.

Inside it’s much the same as the Q3 SUV, although with slightly less headroom. That means you get a giant 11.9in digital dial display and a 12.8in infotainment screen built into one curved unit, and the gear selector has moved up to a stalk behind the steering wheel to free up more space in the centre console.

There’s good news for those who do desperately want the Sportback, because as with the previous generation the coupe-ification doesn’t actually impact on luggage space when all of the seats are in use. Both the SUV and Sportback get a 488-litre boot (375 litres in the PHEV), and it’s only when you fold the rear bench that the latter loses out.