All-new Audi Q2 premiers in Geneva, but its looks isn’t for everyone

Static photo, Colour: Tango Red


Audi has unveiled the fourth member of the expanding ‘Q’ family with the Audi Q2, and carries a slightly different design template that is said to appeal more towards the younger demographic.

We won’t be going to speak too much on the design (we’ll let you be the judge), but we certainly hope that the Q2 will look better in the flesh than just seeing it off these official pictures. Although we have to mention about the angular concave on the shoulder line and that contrasting C pillar blades; they do give the car some character. 2016-Audi-Q2-021

Yet another product being spun off the MQB platform, at 4.19 metres long, 1.79 metres wide, 1.51 metres tall and a wheelbase of 2.60 metres, the Q2 is roughly the same size as the Honda HR-V, but it will definitely not be in the same price range as the popular Japanese crossover.

It’s packed with tech inside with some toys borrowed from the bigger siblings, namely the stunning Audi virtual cockpit, adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go function, lane-keeping assistant and lane departure warning system. Most of them are optional items, but the MMI screen with rotary controller on the center console is standard on all Q2. Spec up to MMI navigation plus with MMI touch and Audi will add in all else but the navigation system and touchpad controller.2016-Audi-Q2-026

For added convenience, a powered tailgate can be specified that opens to a 405-litres worth of cargo space. This of course can be expanded to 1,050 litres with the back seats folded down (60:40 split). Multi-split folding rear seat backrest with cargo-through loading is optional, though.

Further customisations are available to spruce up the Q2 (assuming that it caters to the “younger demographic”), allowing buyers to go crazy on the colours, trims and wheel designs that range from 17 to 19 inches in diameter. We predict that a carbon C pillar blades are somewhere in that long options list, but we could be wrong.2016-Audi-Q2-019

The Q2 range starts with a 114 hp 1.0-litre three-cylinder TFSI petrol, and a couple of four-cylinder TFSI petrol displacing 1.4 litres and 2.0 litres producing 148 hp and 190 hp respectively. Two four-cylinder diesel engines are also available; one is a 1.6-litre diesel with 114 hp, another is a 2.0-litre with two different state of tunes, 148 hp and 190 hp.

Depending on the engine, the Q2 drives the front wheels by default with quattro all-wheel drive available on certain models. Transmission choices are a six-speed manual, or the seven-speed S-tronic dual clutch gearbox.2016-Audi-Q2-008

Audi will open the order books in July for the UK market, and first deliveries will commence in November, so the soonest we can expect the Q2 to arrive here in Malaysia is in 2017. That is, if the Q2 makes its way here. So what do you think? Does the Q2 appeal to you?


IMAGE GALLERY