A few years ago Audi made it clear they wanted to expand their SUV range to rival some of the market leaders. That time seems to have finally arrived with the introduction of the smart new Q2 model which will act as the smallest 'Q' vehicle when it drops in the UK. The Q2 will rival successful vehicles such as the Renault Captur & market leader the Nissan Juke.
The Q2 has a dominating road presence and a deliberately chunky look - time will tell whether the newest addition to the Audi range can have the same impact that the other 'Q' models have enjoyed.
There are a number of trims available for Q2 drivers, the standard SE trim will give you 16-inch alloy wheels, heated & electrically adjustable mirrors & the MMI Multimedia Infotainment System from Audi. The more generous 'Sport' trim gives you 17-inch alloys & plenty of important tech including cruise control & improved interior comfort with sport seats. There is also SE trim level which among other benefits ups the wheel size to 18" and finally 'Edition 1' which gives you 19" alloys, black styling and a unique grey paint style.
ENGINES
Starting with the engines, the Q2 has an initial choice of two engines - a diesel & petrol, however, this range will be expanding to five engines with two more arriving before the vehicle is officially launched. The diesel engine available is a 1.6-litre TDI serving up 114bhp and a suggested fuel economy of around 64.2mpg. The petrol engine available is the 1.4-litre turbo that comes with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard and gives you a healthy 148bhp as well as 54.2mpg and a decent 0-62mph time of 8.5 seconds. There is no automatic gearbox available yet in the diesel engine but those plumping for the petrol will have the option to select a S-Tronic Auto for an extra fee.
The other two engines arriving before the end of the year come in the form of a base 1.0-litre TFSI petrol offering 114bhp & a 2.0-litre diesel TDI set to offer as standard auto gearbox & 148bhp. The range will be capped off in 2017 when a 2.0-litre 187bhp engine arrives. There is also strong suggestions that Audi will introduce a Q2 in their trademark 'RS' form.
INTERIOR
Those familiar with the setup of the Audi A3 will immedeatly notice the similarities of that cars interior with the new Q2. There is plenty of choice when it comes to customizing your interior with regards to colour & additional options. The interior feels of high quality with a combination of leathers & soft-touch-plastic complemented by an optional Aluminium trim. There's a smart ambient lighting feature which projects light to create different interior designs based on whether its day or night. The standard MMI infotainment screen is the centrepiece and sits atop the dashboard - it is controlled by dial and is responsible for many of the cars key functions. Upgrading to Sport trim level brings Sat-Nav to this screen & for those looking to really spec out the Q2's cabin their is a 12.3" Virtual Cockpit Display which acts as a second screen and is controlled by buttons on the steering wheel.
The Q2 is going into market with fierce competition when it comes to providing a sleek vehicle that still offers plenty of interior space. While it may not have the best boot size, the 402-litres available should be enough for most drivers. If it isn't, you can fold down the rear seats to create a highly impressive 1,050-litres.
SAFETY
The Audi Q2 hasn't been fully tested when it comes to safety but Audi's track record does provide some encouragement. All Q2 models will also get the 'Pre-Sense' System which will stop the car if it recongises an obstacle that the driver has failed to react to. There will also be plenty of extra equipment available including lane-departure warning & adaptive cruise control.
