New Q2 arrives next month

A new revised Audi Q2 range will touch down in Australia from May, offering customers the brand’s ‘urban SUV’ with totally refreshed styling, new equipment and powerplants. The first iteration of the Q2 made quite an impression when it was first released in 2017, its styling in particular capturing the attention of customers and critics alike and leading to a string of international design awards.

Its polygonal treatment was quite different to anything else in the Audi Q range although it featured familiar design elements like the Singleframe grille treatment that immediately identified it as an Audi. That and of course the fit and finish, which brought many of the luxury features of the much larger Q models into this more compact segment.

Billed as the ‘ultimate urban SUV’ the Q2 not surprisingly found its greatest audience in the cities, but its size was and is such that it is not only adept in the confines of the big city but also perfectly at home as a ‘weekend escape vehicle’ able to carry occupants and their gear for extended periods away.

This tremendous versatility is at the forefront of the newest version of the Audi Q2, which combines arresting contemporary automotive styling with versatility, performance and Audi’s trademark eye for detail and finish. The new range will be made up of the 1.5-litre Q2 35 TFSI at $42,900*, a more powerful 2.0-litre 40 TFSI quattro ($49,900*) and an all-new performance S model will also join the fold for the first time at $64,400*.

Recognisable as a Q2 from first glance, the new models have become more muscular and with more aggressive styling, although the polygonal elements not only remain but are more prevalent than before, giving the Q2 an even sharper appearance. The Q2 rides on larger, 18-inch wheels as standard across the range which also add to this more aggressive presence while the 40 TFSI also comes with the Audi S line exterior package as standard, making it more sporty again. Treatment of the front end in particular has enhanced the stance of the vehicle and in both the 35 and 40 guises, the effect is that of greater width and a more solid, planted feel. Both the front and real bumper treatments are new and customers will also be able to select from 11 exterior colours.

Technology is also a highlight of the revised Q2 range, with fuel efficient functions such as Cylinder on Demand (CoD) featured in the all-new 1.5-litre 35 TFSI, which literally shuts down two of the four cylinders when not under load to save fuel and reduce emissions even further. Outputting 110kW and 250Nm of torque between 1500 and 3000rpm, the 35 TFSI has plenty of performance for day to day city life and heading out of town for weekends. With the engine mated to a seven-speed S tronic transmission, it reaches 100km/h from standstill in 8.6 seconds and has a top speed of 218km/h giving it plenty of pace when required and with fuel consumption of just 5.2L/100km, trips to fill up are few and far between.

The 40 TFSI quattro S line model also uses the seven-speed S tronic transmission, though this time it works with a 2.0 TFSI engine. This produces 140kW of power and 320Nm, which reduces the 0 to 100km/h sprint time to 6.5 seconds, yet despite the added performance fuel consumption remains low at only 7.0L/100km. The SQ2 also uses a 2.0-litre TFSI powerpoint and seven-speed transmission, with power outputs of 221kW and 400Nm and a sub five seconds 0 to 100km/h time.

Both the Q2 models offer high levels of standard equipment, with heated exterior mirrors and convenience key, as well as MMI navigation plus with MMI touch (including its 8.3-inch colour display). The 35 TFSI also features LED headlights, contrasting bumpers and C-pillar, leather-appointed seats and steering wheel, dual-zone climate control, digital driver information display as well as Audi smartphone interface and phone box light wireless charging.

The 40 TFSI quattro S line adds Audi drive select, an electric tailgate, sport front seats, auto-dimming interior mirror and aluminium interior accents, and customers can also opt to further enhance their vehicle with a style package available for both models.

Needless to say, the Q2 comes with the highest safety rating possible, with a five-star Euro NCAP and ANCAP safety rating, and features numerous Audi driver and safety assistance systems to both enhance the driving experience and increase safety across the board.

The entire Audi Q2 range will available in dealerships from next month.

(*Manufacturer List Pricing [MLP] – excludes dealer delivery and government statutory charges)