Audi completes its SUV portfolio with the rather cute entry-level Q2 crossover. The Q3 is not amused.

I am stopping at the red robot right next to an Audi Q3. If looks could kill, I would be in a morgue now. The driver is obviously annoyed, that the manufacturer of his car has done this. And now it’s my fault? On green the rather agile Q2 leaves it’s bigger brother behind. But I can somehow understand the owner. The new Q2 is a really attractive car with a self-confident exterior design and it doesn’t resemble any of its brethren. Some new edges and lines. That’s the new Audi look. And it has ‘popular’ written all over it.

The entry-level SUV is positioned just under BMW X1 and Mercedes GLA. I would say its closest competitor is the new grown-up Mini Countryman. Also a high quality fun car with endless individualization packages. It is Q number 4, after Q7, Q5 and Q3. Anything available in the big Q7 is optional in the Q2. From connectivity to all kinds of driver assist programmes. Audi wants to attract beginners to the brand. It’s cooler than its brethren, or as Audi puts it: sporty, compact and youthful.

Surprisingly the Q2 is based on the A3 not the A1. It has the same wheelbase as the A3, but shorter overhangs. And the sitting position is 8 cm higher than in the A3. The MQB platform used, is technically more than capable to handle even more power than currently available. That tells me, that an even cooler Q2 is on its way, the sure to be ballistic SQ2.
Audi Q2
Engine 1.0-l. TFSI/1.4-l. TSFI/2.0-l. TDI
Power 85/110/105kW and 200/250/350Nm
Top Speed 194/212/211 km/h
0-100km/h 10.1/8.5/8.1 seconds
Price from R434 500 for the 1.0-l. manual to R565 000 for the TDI Sport S tronic
audi.co.za

Find this piece in the May 2017 issue of GQ.