Car Buyers Guide travelled to Zurich this week to attend the launch of the new Audi Q2. Audi are entering a new segment with the Q2. The latest edition to the Q family attempts to deliver a compact SUV with and urban functionality and design, aimed towards a slightly younger audience than Audi would usually align themselves with. With over 5 million possible colour combinations on offer, customisability and individuality are emphasised by Audi.
The vehicle slots in between Audi’s A3 and Q3 models. In fact, the Q2 borrows a lot of its style from the A3 and is built on the same platform. The Q2 is taller (1.51m) and wider (1.79m) than the A3 but shorter at 4.19m. There’s adequate head room inside for both front and rear seat passengers. The low roof that descends and merges into the C-pillars with colour offset blades gives the appearance that back-seat passengers might be found wanting for headroom, but this isn’t the case. The boot space is also decent at 405 litres (1,050 with folded down rear seats).
The front end boasts an octagonal Singleframe grille that, along with the large air inlets, personifies the strong image that Audi are attempting to achieve with the Q2. The rear end clearly borrows a lot of inspiration from the A3.
The similarities with the A3 also spill over into the interior. The cabin is well designed and Audi’s virtual cockpit with its 12.3 inch screen (optional) makes for immersed driving experience. The head-up display that comes as part of the virtual cockpit package and comes in handy by allowing you to stay completely focused on the road ahead. The inlays come in a variety of colours but the illuminated inlays that come as part of the S line and design selection are the most striking design wise.
The Audi Q2 is being released with six engine options; three TFSI and three TDI engines which deliver between 115 hp – 190 hp.
The surprise package of these models has to be the 1 litre petrol engine with the six-speed manual gearbox. It may surprise you to learn that it matches the 1.6 diesel engine for horsepower, with both turning out 115 hp.
The 1.4 litre 150 hp petrol made for a decent drive and I’d place it above the 1.6 TDI if city driving is main focus.
The 2.0 litre TDI Quattro with 150 hp has a fair bit of kick as you’d expect, but seems a tad unnecessary for the urban driving that the Q2 will be predominantly used for.
I also tested a 190 hp 2.0 litre TDI Quattro that felt a bit over the top, but it won’t be available for the Irish market, so not to worry.
Progressive Steering comes as standard on the Q2 and I put this to the test on some of the sharp turns embedded in the Swiss hillsides. The Audi Q2 cornered with relative ease and the Progressive Steering meant vigorous turning of the steering wheel was not needed on tight bends.
In terms of connectivity and infotainment, the standard MMI radio, which besides the tuner, CD player, card reader, four loudspeakers and Aux input, also includes a 5.8-inch monitor. WiFi is optional. Audi connect is also optional and gives the driver travel, parking and traffic information, access to Twitter and your email in-box, and enable navigation with Google Earth and Google Street View.
The Audi Q2 is expected to hit the Irish market around November. Irish prices have not been released yet but we’ve been told that prices be in the €30,000 region.
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