Audi introduces its newest member of the Q family, Audi Q2

At the Geneva International Motor Show, Audi introduces a new member of the Q family called the Audi Q2. The compact SUV is  an urban vehicle for everyday driving and sporty recreation, targeting the younger generation of buyers.

The  Q2 is a compact and youthful SUV that showcases an attractive combination vertices and edges. At the front, a strong image is created by the Singleframe grille in octagonal design that is positioned high as well as large air inlets. Especially eye-catching is the low roof that descends and merges into the C-pillars with color offset blades. This contrast accentuates the sportiness of the Audi Q2 with the rear of the vehiclewrapping up in a dynamic manner with a long roof spoiler and a ruggedly sporty diffuser.

From the side, the high shoulder line is especially eye-catching as are the concave flanks in the door area. The latter emphasize the wheel housings and thereby the quattro character of the compact SUV. The vehicle measures 1.51 meters tall and 1.79 meters wide. The overhangs are short with a vehicle length of 4.19 meters and a wheelbase of 2.60 meters.The new Q2 fulfills fundamental expectations of an SUV with a high entry, good visibility and a large luggage compartment of 405 to 1,050 liters of capacity.

One major highlight is that the driver’s seat position is sporty and low in relation to the steering wheel much like in an Audi sedan. There are many equipment packages, exterior colours and expressive colours for interior trim and seat upholstery allow plenty of creative space for personal configuration.

The Audi Q2 is also equipped with a standard MMI screen that is positioned high on the instrument panel. The infotainment system can be operated by a rotary/push-button control and two buttons on the center tunnel. When MMI navigation plus with MMI touch is ordered, the user also gets a touchpad on the central control element. In addition, the system can be conveniently controlled by natural language operation and the integrated MMI search. A Wi-Fi hotspot enables surfing and streaming with mobile end devices.

Along with the optional Audi virtual cockpit and the head-up display, the driver assistance systems for the all-new Audi Q2 comes from the full-size class – including the Audi pre sense front that is standard. The system recognizes critical situations with other vehicles as well as pedestrians crossing in front of the vehicle, and if necessary it can initiate hard braking – to a standstill at low speeds. Other systems in the line-up: adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go function, traffic jam assist, the lane-departure warning system Audi side assist, the lane-keeping assistant Audi active lane assist, traffic sign recognition and parking and cross-traffic assist rear.

The Q2 is offered in six different engines. Along with a 1.0-liter three-cylinder TFSI, two four-cylinder petrol engines are being offered with 1.4 and 2.0 liters of displacement. In addition, three four-cylinder diesel engines are available with 1.6 and 2.0 liters of displacement. Their power output ranges from 116 hp to 190 hp. As an alternative to the six-speed manual transmission, Audi also offers the S tronic dual clutch transmission with seven speeds for all engines. In the case of the top TDI and the 2.0 TFSI, a newly developed dual-clutch transmission is used, which has a new type of oil supply and reduced friction.

Both engines may also be combined with a quattro permanent all-wheel drive system as standard equipment. Installed at the rear on the front-wheel drive versions is a semi-independent suspension, while the quattro models have a four-link suspension. Progressive steering is standard in all versions. It varies the steering gear ratio as a function of the steering input; the ratio is made more direct with large steering movements. Adaptive dampers are available as an option, as is the Audi drive select system with which drivers can set an individual characteristic for their Q2.

The all-new Audi Q2 will be available in the European market in autumn 2016 with orders starting from mid-year this year.