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The lastest AUDI Q3 CUV spy photos

With the latest AUDI Q3 spy shots seemingly supporting our previous illustrations, we expect the next AUDI Q3 to be fairly rugged and aggressive in design. Expect moderately larger wheels – something in the realm of 18 to 20-inches. The AUDI Q3 will essentially fill the role of an upscale and more luxurious VW Tiguan – of which it shares a platform.

The AUDI Q3 is set to ride on the same VW chassis that the Golf and Tiguan use. We also hear it will have a Haldex all-wheel drive system instead of the usual Torsen all-wheel drive system found on most other Audi vehicles.

In the U.S. market, the AUDI Q3 will likely only be available with a 211 horsepower 2.0L TFSI four-cylinder. However, the supercharged V6 used in the S4 may find its way under the AUDI Q3′s hood. A next-generation version of Audi’s dual clutch “S-tronic” manu-matic transmission is also a likely bet.

European AUDI Q3 buyers will likely have the option of VW’s 1.4-liter TFSI inline-four engine — tuned to somewhere in the neighborhood of 125-150 horsepower — as well as two turbo-diesels powerplants, one of which may boast as much as 200 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.

Watch for the Q3 to launch in Europe during the summer of 2011, and in the U.S. towards the end of 2011.