Could this be our first look on the new Audi Q4 or is it the Q3 successor?

Clearly Audi wanted to keep this prototype out of sight, judging from the loose cover fitted on top of the already camouflaged body.

From what we can see, the car is sporting a sloping roofline, making it look much sleeker than the current Q3. The heavy covers outline a very prominent hexagonal front grille but that’s probably due to some plastic cladding under there and not the actual item of the final car.

The crossover’s silhouette resembles that of the 2014 TT Offroad Concept, especially in the rear quarters, with recent reports suggesting that Audi is cooking a new addition to its SUV lineup with the Q4 nameplate to rival the likes of the BMW X4 and the Range Rover Evoque.

Both the next Q3 and Q4 will be based upon the MQB modular platform, with the former growing in size to make room for the recently-revealed compact Q2 SUV, but not enough to step into the Q5’s territory.

The engine range will probably be the same with the VW Tiguan, with rumors talking about the introduction of a new plug-in hybrid powertrain, offering up to 31 miles of pure electric driving range. The interior will feature an updated version of Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, a big and clear touchscreen for the infotainment system with the latest connectivity features and even perhaps gesture control functions.

The sighting of the prototype could only mean that Audi has started testing the new model on public roads and eventually we will get a better glimpse of what the German company has in store for us.

What do you think? Could this be the new Audi Q3 or the news of a Q4 coming are enough to identify it?

PHOTO GALLERY