Audi’s all-new compact SUV has made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show making it the fourth member of the highly successful Audi Q family. It is designed to appeal to a younger audience with a generous portfolio of connectivity, infotainment and assistance systems that will be instantly familiar from the larger Audi models.

It has a powerful appearance that helps it stand out from the crowd. Up front, a strong image is created by the high-mounted single frame grille in octagonal design as well as the large air inlets. Especially eye-catching is the low roof that descends and merges into the C-pillars with colour offset blades. The rear body terminates in a dynamic way with a long roof spoiler and a diffuser that has an underbody-protection look.

In profile, the high shoulder line is especially eye-catching as are the concave flanks in the door area. The latter emphasise the wheel housings and thereby the quattro character of the compact SUV. The vehicle measures 1.51 metres tall and 1.79 metres wide. The overhangs are short with a vehicle length of 4.19 metres and a wheelbase of 2.60 metres. Along with the optional Audi virtual cockpit and the head-up display, the driver assistance systems for the Audi Q2 also come from the larger Audi models – including the Audi pre sense front that is standard. The system recognises 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 include 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 rear cross-traffic assist. 

The Q2 is 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 centre 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. Furthermore, customers can use MMI touch to query the online services of Audi connect. The free Audi MMI connect app enables online media streaming and transfer of a calendar from a smartphone to the MMI. The app for iOS operating systems also has the myAudi destinations function. It makes it possible to send the data of a desired navigation destination from any app to the MMI navigation plus system. The system then uses it for navigation.

The Q2 fulfils the fundamental expectations of an SUV with a high entry, good visibility and a large luggage compartment (405 to 1,050 litres of capacity), yet the driver’s seat position is low in relation to the steering wheel as in an Audi saloon. Optional practical solutions are available such as a power tailgate and a three-way split rear bench backrest with cargo through-loading. The Audi Q2 is available with a choice of equipment packages, exterior colours and expressive colours for interior trim and seat upholstery. One option is the LED lighting package, in which the interior is staged in a particularly attractive way with illuminated trim elements. Newly designed 17-inch alloy wheels are fitted as standard, and can be optionally increased to 19 inches upon request.

The Q2 is launching in the UK with a selection of five different engines. There will be two four-cylinder diesel engines with 1.6 and 2.0 litres of displacement and outputs of 114bhp and 148bhp. In addition there will be three petrol options. And as an alternative to the six-speed manual transmission, Audi also offers the S tronic dual clutch transmission with seven speeds for all engines.

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.