The new model arrives in showrooms from August with just one engine from launch – a 268bhp V6 TDI unit – and offers highlights including a weight reduction of up to 325kg.

Styling changes include full body-colour paint finish as standard and a new bold 3D hexagonal single frame grille. 

The interior brings improved headroom for both front and second row passengers. The second seating row now benefits from a tilt and fold function, and there’s a new powered folding mechanism for the third row. A total of 770 litres of luggage space is available when seven passengers are on board, rising to 1,955 litres with just the front seats in use.

The interior also gains the latest MMI navigation plus with MMI Touch and an 8.3-inch electrically retractable monitor. Trial access to Audi connect, which brings internet-based services to the car via a fast 4G connection and also creates a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot, is also included.

Later this year the Audi connect portfolio will also gain “Apple Car Play” and “Google Android Auto”.

Two specifications will be available at launch: S and S line. Standard kit includes the MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch, the Audi connect on 3 month trial), Audi drive select, keyless go, parking system plus, powered tailgate

Other features common to both launch specification levels include the MMI radio plus incorporating a DAB module and linked to the 10-speaker Audi sound system, electrically operated and heated front seats with four-way electric lumbar support, cruise control, light and rain sensors, the Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system, the Audi parking system plus with front and rear visual and acoustic guidance, hill descent control and keyless go.  

Meanwhile, S line models bring larger wheels, LED headlights and exclusive sports body styling as well as front sports seats upholstered in pearl Nappa leather/Alcantara, privacy glass and four-zone climate control in place of the standard two-zone system.

The 268bhp 3.0 TDI engine available at launch produces 442lb.ft and comes with an eight-speed tiptronic transmission with a fuel-saving freewheeling function, and quattro all-wheel drive. 0-62 mph takes 6.5 seconds, with a top speed of 145mph. CO2 emissions are rated at 153g/km, with an official combined fuel consumption figure of 47.9mpg.

In addition, a 215bhp version of the 3.0 TDI quattro will be available later in the year, with ordering to start from late summer.

Prices for the new model at launch range from £50,340 OTR to £53,835 OTR for the 3.0 TDI quattro 268bhp S line.