THE brooding good looks of the Black Edition models that have been mainstays of the Audi A4, A5, A6 and A7 Sportback ranges have inspired a new Q3 Black Edition that spearheads a wholesale update of Audi's compact SUV line-up.

The new top flight Q3 and the even better equipped versions that sit below it will become available later this month priced from £26,600, and will reach the first customers towards the end of the year.

At entry level the SE trim level now becomes Sport through the addition of SD navigation as standard and through styling enhancements that lend an even more purposeful air, including larger front air vents and a body-coloured front diffuser.

S line Navigation models become S line Edition by gaining standard interior features such as cruise control and the Audi Parking System Plus, and by adopting a new look for the front end, which now incorporates a distinctive horizontal strut spanning its full width, above which are air inlets with more pronounced surrounds and a new diamond-pattern mesh design.

The main attraction in the range is now the Q3 Black Edition, which stays true to the concept introduced elsewhere in the Audi range.

Replacing the S line plus model, it builds on that version's extensive specification with features such as standard metallic paint, privacy glass from the door pillar rearwards and a Bose sound system upgrade, but its key point of differentiation is a distinctive black treatment for many of its parts.

These start in the cabin with piano black inlays, and continue outside to take in everything from the 19-inch alloy wheels, wheel arch cappings and Single Frame grille surround to the roof rails, rear spoiler and tailpipes, all of which are finished in gloss black.

Under the skin, two TDIdiesel and two TFSI petrol engines are available, depending on the chosen specification.

The 1.4-litre TFSI with cylinder-on-demand technology brings 150bhp and the option of either manual or S tronic twin-clutch automatic transmission.

It gives the front-wheel-driven Q3 1.4 TFSI a 0-62mph sprint time of as little as 8.9 seconds, but also 51.4mpg capability (manual) based on the combined cycle test.

Above it in the petrol line-up is a 2.0-litre TFSI unit with 180bhp, which can be linked to either manual or S tronic transmission and works with quattro all-wheel-drive without exception.

Forming the diesel contingent are two four-cylinder, 2.0-litre TDIs with outputs of 150bhp and 184bhp. The 150bhp version has the potential to return up to 62.8mpg with a CO2 output of just 117g/km.