By: IOL Motoring Staff
Geneva Motor Show - Just like its humbler sister brand, Audi wants to have a gazillion new SUV models on the market within the next 25 minutes and the premium brand's portfolio is also expanding downwards.
The new Q2, unveiled on Tuesday, will be the smallest Audi crossover on offer, at least until the inevitable Q1 arrives. It has a rather racy design by Audi standards, with its sloping tailgate and contrasting C-pillar 'blades', yet it promises decent practicality, with a boot that swallows 405 litres in standard guise.
The Q2 is set to reach South Africa in the first quarter of 2017 and Audi SA will detail the engine line-up and prices closer to launch.
European markets will have a vast array of engine choices, with outputs ranging from 85kW to 140kW. The TSI turbopetrol range consists of a 1-litre three-cylinder, as well as 1.4-litre and 2-litre four-cylinder units, while the TDI diesels come in 1.6- and 2-litre guises. The engines can be mated to either a six-speed manual or seven-speed S Tronic dual clutch transmission and while most versions will be front-wheel driven, the top engines will be available with Quattro all-wheel drive.
There is some cost-saving going on in the suspension though, with front-wheel drive models receiving a semi-independent suspension, which is surely just a fancy way of saying torsion beam, while only Quattros get the fully independent four-link set-up at the back.
There's no deprivation on the gadgets front, with standard features including the MMI infotainment system and Audi's auto-braking pre sense system, but you will have to get friendly with the options list if you want fancy stuff like the 'virtual cockpit' digital instrument panel, head-up display, navigation plus and LED mood lighting. The Q2 is also offered with a smart-phone interface that can integrate iOS and Android operating systems.