Audi adds Q2 performance leader

Audi Australia has added a range-topping – in terms of performance, if not price – version of its smallest SUV, the Q2.

On sale now for $48,500 plus on-road costs, the Q2 sport 2.0 TFSI quattro is positioned well above the sub-$42,000 entry-level Q2 design 1.4 TFSI, but $600 below the flagship Q2 sport 2.0 TDI quattro ($49,100 plus ORCs) in the all-auto Q2 S tronic line-up.

But that’s only because of a $1200 price increase for the latter as part of a minor MY18 Q2 upgrade, which sees the base price hike by $700 to $41,800 plus ORCs.

The pint-size Q2, whose only direct competitor is the MINI Countryman (priced between $40,500 and $57,900), went on sale in Australia in February and since then has found 1567 homes here – more than double the MINI SUV (663).

The 140kW/320Nm 2.0-litre turbo-petrol powered Q2 brings more power than both the existing 110kW Q2 petrol and diesel models, although the Q2 TDI delivers more torque at 340Nm.

At 6.5 seconds, the Q2 2.0 TFSI quattro’s claimed 0-100km/h time is lower than both the front-drive 1.4 TFSI (8.5sec) and the all-wheel drive 2.0 TDI (8.1sec), and its 228km/h top speed higher (versus 212 and 211km/h).

That trade-off is fuel consumption, which at 6.5L/100km is higher than both the base petrol (5.3L/100km) and diesel (5.0L/100km) models.

Compared to the front-drive Countryman Cooper S auto, which is $1300 cheaper at $47,200, Audi says the Q2 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic delivers 1kW less power but 40Nm more torque, yet is 0.9sec quicker to 100km/h and just as efficient.

For the extra $6700, it also brings more standard features than the base Q2 1.4 TFSI ‘design’, in line with the Q2 2.0 TDI with which it shares its ‘sport’ equipment list.

That means it comes with side assist, 18-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured bumpers and side skirts, matt-grey C-pillar highlight, a powered tailgate, leather-appointed sports front seats and aluminium-look interior highlights.

These features are in addition to standard Q2 items like a five-star ANCAP safety rating, reversing camera, six airbags, stability control, anti-lock brakes, rear cross-traffic alert and pre sense city (automatic emergency braking) with pedestrian detection at speeds up to 65km/h.

However, a superior range of safety functions cost extra as part of a $990 Assistance package that includes AEB up to 200km/h, active lane assist, side assist, adaptive cruise control with stop/go, traffic jam assist, high-beam assist, hill hold assist and park assist among others.

Now standard across the Q2 line-up as part of the MY18 upgrade are LED headlights and tail-lights (the latter with dynamic indicators), while carryover features include a 7.0-inch MMI infotainment display with 3D satellite mapping, voice control, Bluetooth and eight speakers and Audi connect Wi-Fi hotspot and Google services (requires data plan).

Other range-wide standard features include a multi-function steering wheel with shift paddles, dual-zone climate-control, cruise control with speed-limiter, automatic headlights and wipers, front/rear parking sensors, front centre armrest, 60/40-split folding rear seat, floor mats and power windows/mirrors.

However, even in a small car costing around $50,000, there are a host of optional extras designed to offer further customisation, enhance vehicle technology and of course increase Audi’s profit margin.

Apart from the Assistance package (which costs $1600 on the base model), these include the $1500 interior S line sport pack with Y-spoke 18-inch alloys, 10mm lower sports suspension, embossed/perforated Alcantara/leather seat trim, flat-bottom steering wheel with perforated leather, brushed matt aluminium inlays, black headlining, stainless steel pedals/footrest and illuminated aluminium door sills.

The $1900 Comfort pack comprises keyless entry/start, heated/dimming/folding wing mirrors, power front lumbar adjust, heated front seats, rear 12-volt outlet and a range of extra storage features including a luggage net.

The $2500 S line exterior pack includes unique front/rear bumpers and diffuser with logos and aluminium door sill trims, while for the same price the Technik pack adds MMI Navigation plus, multi-function flat-bottom leather sport steering wheel with paddles, and Audi’s configurable 12.3-inch virtual cockpit instruments.

Individual options include ice silver metallic C-pillar blades ($300), LED lighting package ($300), Audi drive select ($400), 180-Watt 10-speaker sound ($500), digital radio ($550), rear privacy glass ($700), titanium exterior black highlights ($900), head-up display ($1050), black Milano leather ($1400), 705W 14-speaker sound ($1500) and panoramic sunroof ($1950).

The only standard paint colours are Brilliant black and Ibis white, with Quantum grey and Vegas yellow costing $800, a range of metallic hues (white, silver, orange, black, grey and red) costing a further $1150 and crystal-effect Ara blue adding $1750.

With shorter overhangs and a 2595mm wheelbase that’s just 8mm short of the Q3’s, plus extra underbody protection and 22mm more ground clearance (147mm) than the A3 hatchback, the Q2 offers 355 litres of boot space, extending to 1000 litres with the rear seats folded.

Underpinning the sub-4200mm, five-door five-seat SUV – Audi’s first design-focussed, even-numbered SUV -- is MacPherson front and four-link rear suspension, electromechanical speed-dependent progressive steering and, for upstream versions, a part-time all-wheel drive system.

Audi Australia admits its close proximity in terms of size and price to the Q3 – at least until the latter is replaced next year – will see some Q2 buyers migrate from the (slightly) larger model.

However, it expects the Q2 to “add healthy volume” to Q3 sales and for both models to find a combined total of about 400 sales a month, with the Q2 attracting slightly more females than males and fewer families than other Q models.

2018 Audi Q2 pricing (plus ORCs):
Q2 design 1.4 TFSI S tronic 110kW -- $41,800
Q2 sport 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic 140kW -- $48,500
Q2 sport 2.0 TDI quattro S tronic 110kW -- $49,100