Audi outs updated Q2 compact SUV, here mid 2021

AUDI Australia has debuted the latest version of its Q2 compact SUV ahead of its arrival Down Under in the middle of next year.

Brandishing tweaked styling and upgraded tech, the new Q2 has grown a little compared to the current model, now measuring 4210mm in length while retaining its 1790mm width and 1540mm height.

To up the little crossover’s sense of attitude, designers have tweaked both the front and rear styling with a brand new, chunkier rear apron installed at the back featuring a new polygon shaped diffuser.

At the front, the Singleframe grille has been moved lower down the fascia to give it a greater sense of width while the higher-grade advanced and S line trims also brandish classic Quattro-style slits between the radiator grille and bonnet in a nod to the iconic 80’s rally car.

Not only bolstering the new look but also aiding safety and vision are new LED headlights – now standard across the range – while customers will have the option to go brighter again with matrix LED units.

LEDs have also been used at the rear for the tail-light arrangements with customers able to choose between standard or dynamic indicators, the latter of which come as standard when the matrix LED headlights are specified.

In terms of power, Audi says as many as five different engines will eventually be available, however at this stage the brand has outlined just the single (entry-level) petrol mill; namely a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder good for 110kW/250Nm.

Claimed fuel economy is 5.1 litres per 100km on the NEDC cycle while CO2 emissions are pegged at between 116-124 grams per kilometre.

One of the pieces to the Q2’s efficiency puzzle is the engine’s ‘cylinder on demand’ system which will deactivate the second and third cylinders when not needed.

From launch, the base 1.5 will be paired to a six-speed manual transmission as standard with the familiar seven-speed S tronic automatic available as an option – both send the engine’s power to the front wheels.

As ever with Audi, the quattro all-wheel-drive system will be available higher up in the range depending on engine choice while a sports suspension package will drop the ride height by 10mm in the name of dynamics.

Adaptive damping will also be available as an optional extra.

Wheel sizes will range between 16 and 19 inches in diameter depending on the variant, as will the level of standard equipment.

Unlike the exterior, things inside the cabin have remained resolutely as they were with the biggest change being the move from Alcantara upholstery to Dinamica microfiber as standard.

Entry-level models will come with a traditional instrument cluster while top-spec grades will up the ante with the 12.3-inch virtual cockpit and 8.6-inch touchscreen infotainment display – DAB+ will feature as standard on all variants.

Boot space also goes unchanged with 405 litres on offer, expanding to 1050L with the rear seats folded flat.

Standard safety gear on all variants includes the Audi pre-sense front system and lane departure warning while features like a reversing camera, parking system plus, side assist, adaptive cruise control and assist, rear cross-traffic assist, traffic sign recognition and the Audi pre-sense basic and Audi pre-sense rear systems will be split across the ‘drive’, ‘safety’ and ‘park’ packages.

“The new Audi Q2 is expected to arrive in Australia in mid-2021. Further information on the model line-up, pricing and specification details will be announced closer to launch,” Audi Australia said in a statement.

So far this year ending August, 836 new Q2s have been purchased, accounting for 7.7 per cent of the $40,000+ small SUV segment, the same market the larger Q3 has a 20.1 per cent stranglehold on.