Audi's smallest crossover, the Q3, will soon receive some packaging changes in a new trim called the Q3 Sport. Order guides reveal the vehicle will come as a mid-year addition to the 2018 lineup.
Changes with the mechanically identical Sport center on convenience features and styling. At the top of the range, a new Competition Package will feature more aggressive looks and blacked-out design touches.
Here's a look at what Audi has in store.
Under $35k
The 2018 Audi Q3 Sport Premium has been priced from $34,875 ($975 destination included), $1,000 higher than the regular Q3 Premium and incorporating elements of the $1,350 Convenience Package like a power tailgate, auto-dimming mirror with compass, and proximity key.
The main difference with the Sport is that it comes with 19-inch 10-spoke wheels and brushed matte aluminum inlays. The current Q3 comes with an 18-inch 5-arm design and Micrometallic inlays standard or Aluminum Satellite printed motif with the Convenience Package.
In the Sport Premium Plus ($36,775), the optional Technology Package now includes a Bose audio system, previously an $850 option. The cost of the package has also been lowered from $2,100 to just $1,200.
Shoppers looking for more aggressive styling may appreciate the addition of a new S Line Competition Package. Available with the Sport Premium Plus, the $2,000 option takes the old Sport Package a few steps further.
The Competition Package (not pictured) adds 20-inch V-spoke wheels with summer tires, a 3-spoke flat-bottom steering wheel with paddle shifters, sport seats, Audi drive select (multiple drive modes), Black Optic exterior kit, Piano Black interior, black roof rails and black RS spoiler.
With the required Premium Plus grade, a Q3 with the Competition Package will run $38,775. That's a little less than $800 under what BMW asks for a 2018 X1 with M Sport Package, and well below the $42,475 MSRP of a base model Q5.
The Sport also gets you access to two additional exterior colors: Hainan Blue and Camouflage Green, both metallic paints, the latter only available with the Competition Package. Interestingly, this appears to be the same Camouflage Green available in the R8 supercar.
Still lagging?
Shoppers may appreciate the addition of more standard equipment. However, unlike what we uncovered with the A6 Sport back in September, the Q3 isn't poised to offer any additional value when it comes to safety tech.
The Q3 still doesn't offer forward collision warning or adaptive cruise control at any price. The most notable feature is Audi side assist, a radar-based blind spot monitor that's only available in the Premium Plus.
Q3 sales have been flat compared to the previous year, with 18,266 units sold through November according to the Automotive News Data Center. That's far from the 50,109 Q5s Audi was able to sell over the same period.
It's also well below the 26,372 copies of the X1 that BMW has sold. Next month, BMW will debut a coupe-like version of the X1 called the X2 at the Detroit Auto Show with a base price under $40,000.
Will the Q3 remain a competitive alternative? That remains to be seen.
Pictured: 2016 Audi Q3