Q2 touches down in Australia

After a number of special appearances around the country over the past six months, the Audi Q2 has now officially arrived Down Under, bringing with it a whole new design language, two powerful and efficient engines and boasting a raft of new technology that will appeal to a broad range of buyers.

Internationally recognised for its design, the Q2 is every inch an Audi, yet its new polygonal design treatment has already been hailed as a triumph – an evolution of the Audi design language recognised around the world – bringing a vibrant new look and direction to the premium SUV ranks.

The Audi Q2 is a completely new model, not a rescaled version of one of its larger ‘Q’ siblings, says Anna Burgdorf, Audi Australia’s General Manager, Corporate Communications, and as such, it boasts its own unique personality.

“The SUV market is the strongest growing market around the world and particularly here in Australia,” says Ms Burgdorf, where the Q2 will not only provide a wider choice for existing Audi customers but is expected to attract a whole new group of buyers to the brand.

“The Q2 will bring a new depth and choice to the compact SUV market … it is specifically an urban SUV so it’s nice and small and zippy, very stylish and will absolutely appeal to city dwellers,” says Burgdorf.

“It has all of the attributes of an SUV … versatility, good head room in the front and rear, but treated differently. When people look at the design of this car they’ll see that it is a lot more edgy,” says Burgdorf.

That edgy look, amongst other things, has already struck a chord with customers, with 700 orders placed before the Q2 had turned a wheel in anger in Australia. That initial interest is expected to translate into sales of at least 200 per month says Burgdorf, with interest coming not only from the brand’s existing customers, but with great interest from outside the brand and even from those looking to enter the world of vehicle ownership for the first time.

There’s plenty of family DNA evident in the styling, but the Q2 very much has its own style and personality which sets it a part. The design is immediately eye-catching, the multifaceted surface treatment giving it a ‘three-dimensional’ look and accentuating the wheel arches and the Q2’s sporty, muscular stance. The Audi Singleframe grille is immediately familiar, yet with its own distinct treatment and the ‘blades’ on the C-pillars accentuate the coupe-like roofline and are reminiscent of the blade treatment employed on the all-conquering Audi R8.

With 12 different colours available as well as three different exterior trim lines, the Q2’s look can be tailored to suit the individual’s tastes. Add-on parts can be ordered in contrasting or body colour depending on the trim line, while the S line exterior package adds another dimension and treatment altogether. 

This ability to tailor to the individual carries over into the stylish, edgy interior. A compact, urban SUV, the Q2 nevertheless lacks nothing in terms of its interior accommodation or storage, comfortably accommodating five adults and offering up to 1050 litres of luggage space. 

As with the exterior, the interior’s architecture is immediately captivating, the open layout increasing the feeling of space, while the ability to mix and match interior colours again gives the owner the ability to personalise their Q2.

An optional LED lighting package also gives the interior a unique feel. Two variants are available –  the top version uses LED light strips to illuminate the instrument panel inlays and the centre console. They shine with a subtle, homogeneous light that can be varied between 10 colours using the MMI. 

Technology and infotainment abound, with MMI standard and the top of the line MMI Navigation with MMI touch available, all of the vehicle’s operating controls and infotainment are literally at your fingertips. Operated via a round rotary push-button on the centre tunnel console that includes a touchpad on its surface, the operator need only describe a few letters on the pad before the system recognises the command or request and acts accordingly.

Or, for those wanting to keep their hands on the multi-function wheel, vehicle systems can be controlled from here or through the use of the voice control system – requesting anything from ‘where can I get fuel’ to ‘please call John’.

Available as an option on the Q2, the stunning Audi virtual cockpit display brings yet another element to the interior, while advanced functions such as head-up display, Audi phone box with wireless charging and a Bang & Olufsen Sound System provide owners with a wealth of high-end options to choose from.

Of course the Audi Q2 is ‘fully connected’, with Audi connect online services available with such services as Google Earth and Google Street View. Independent of the integrated Audi connect services, customers can also use the Q2 as a Wi-Fi hotspot. It allows all passengers to surf the internet with up to eight mobile devices. Customers can also use their own SIM card in the car and establish Wi-Fi Internet access through their own cellular provider. 

The Q2 arrives in Australia with the choice of a petrol and diesel power plant, both mated to a seven-speed S ironic transmission. The  front-wheel drive 1.4 TFSI develops 110kW of power and 20Nm of torque between 1500 and 3500rpm. With Cylinder on Demand technology deactivating two of the four cylinders when not under load, the sporty petrol engine also boasts tremendous fuel efficiency (5.3L/100km/h), while the the 2.0 TDI version also produces 110kW of power but greater torque of 340Nm available from 1750 to 3000rom. The addition of quattro in the TDI model gives it even greater handling and feel, while again, delivering extraordinary fuel efficiency.

A top-of-the-line 2.0 TFSI quattro variant will also be added to the line-up later in the year giving customers even greater choice.

Driver assistance systems abound both as standard equipment and with additional systems available as options. From Audi side assist, Active cruise control with Stop & Go, Audi pre-sense front to Active lane assist and park assist, customers are well cater for, and with a five star ANCAP safety rating, the Q2 boasts the highest safety standard available. 

The new Q2 manages to deliver on all fronts – from its design to an engaging driving experience that will satisfy even the most demanding behind the wheel. The ability to mix it up in an urban setting and then head for the hills with equal aplomb will appeal across the board, while the state-of-the-art infotainment and automotive technology make it the perfect vehicle for the busy, modern lifestyle. Certainly its the design that first catches the eye – but you quickly find, that’s just the beginning.