It’s an open secret that Audi has always banked heavily on its SUV and crossover range for success and that the brand is looking to do more of the same for the coming years. Take the forthcoming Q2, for instance. With this all-new compact crossover, Audi is stepping into a new budget market space altogether where there will eventually be a whole load of carmakers vying for supremacy.
Given its entry-level positioning you would expect the Q2 to take the least amount of space out on the road compared to other Audi crossovers, and it does. With a vehicle length of 4.19m, the Q2 is quite compact and promises to be easier to live with around town. That said, this new model isn’t short of hardy road presence and in fact, looks more striking than some of the existing small crossovers. Upfront, the octagonal single-frame grille and the well detailed bumper design are eye catching and so are the sharply styled LED headlights. The Q2 also has some unique detailing like the roof that descends and merges into the C-pillars with colour offset blades. This contrast accentuates the more edgy stance of the vehicle compared to the bigger Q3. The rear, meanwhile, features a long roof edge spoiler and a diffuser that has an underbody-protection look.
Inside the cabin, the interior design takes up the taut and angular form of the exterior. Now although the dashboard remains minimalistic at best (like in the A3 sedan), there are lots of brand new detailing that spruce up the overall ambience. The MMI infotainment screen is positioned high on the instrument panel whereas Audi’s new virtual cockpit (read: all digital dials) is available as an alternative to the typical analogue dials. Like in most new Audis fitted with this tech, the 12.3-inch screen displays highly detailed, brilliant graphics and offers two display modes: one focuses on the tachometer and speedometer and the other emphasizes infotainment or navigation data. Besides seating space for up to five occupants, the Q2’s cabin can handle 405-litres of luggage. The luggage capacity can be increased to 1,050-litres by folding the rear seat back.
Globally, Audi is offering a selection of six engine options for the Q2: three TFSI petrol and three TDI engines whose power outputs range from 116bhp to 190bhp. Engine displacements, meanwhile, range from 1 to 2-litres. The smallest petrol engine is the 1-litre TFSI unit with 116bhp and 200Nm while the largest is the 2-litre TFSI with 190bhp. The gateway to the diesel engines is the 1.6-itre TDI unit with 116bhp and the top engine is the 2-litre TDI which Audi offers at two output levels: a front-wheel drive version with 150bhp and a quattro version with 190bhp and an S tronic dual clutch gearbox. For the Indian market, Audi is expected to bring in the 190bhp 2-litre TDI diesel with the dual-clutch gearbox for the new Q2.
Now for the all-important launch period and pricing. Firstly, Audi has announced that deliveries for the Q2 in Europe will begin in November with prices starting at £20,230 (Rs 18.34 lakh), making it less expensive than both the A3 and the Q3. The Q2 is primarily targeted at younger buyers just like the A3 but with the former being smaller, Audi India could be looking at a relatively lower starting price point of around Rs 25 lakh.
