Driven: Queue forming for Audi’s Q2

AUDI Australia says it already has 700 serious expressions of interest for its all-new Q2 crossover, with the company expecting to appeal to a new generation of buyers as well as its traditional base.

The German car-maker’s latest new model rolls into dealerships this month with two variants – and a special launch edition – on offer initially, giving Audi an entrant in the burgeoning compact SUV market under its Q3.

According to Audi, some of the 700 interested people have put cash down at a dealer to be one of the first people to get into the Q2, and while some are dealer orders for demonstration cars, most are private buyers.

Speaking with GoAuto at the Q2 launch in Victoria this week, Audi Australia general manager of corporate communications Anna Burgdorf said the company was targeting both young and young at heart buyers with the Q2.

“The expectation is there will be that age group that is slightly older that’s scaling down,” she said. “That young at heart group. In terms of the younger audience, they will be stepping up into a premium car for first time. Maybe the A1 wasn’t quite the car for them, but something like the Q2 is a little bit bigger and would definitely be the car for them. It’s going to be around the early-30s market.”

Ms Burgdorf said the Q2 would introduce a whole new generation of buyers to Audi that would, ideally, remain loyal to the brand throughout their life.

“That’s what you want isn’t it? All car-makers are downsizing cars not only because that’s the way the market is going in certain markets, but also everybody is looking for that first time buyer that you want to keep loyal to the brand.

“We do so much work around customer loyalty and customer experience. That is absolutely around maintaining that sense of being part of the Audi family and being part of the Audi lifestyle for the long term.”

Ms Burgdorf said that while the company had launched a youth-oriented marketing campaign for the Q2, it was careful not to leave out its core buyers.

“We know that our buyers will always be more mature at a certain end of the market and for us, we just want people to buy and love our cars and enjoy being part of the brand,” she said. “I think we are cautious that we are not pretending to be too young.”

As reported, the Q2 kicks off from $41,100 plus on-road costs for the turbo-petrol-powered 1.4 TFSI Design, rising to $47,900 for the oil-burning 2.0 TDI Quattro Sport.

A launch edition uses the same 1.4 TFSI engine as the base variant but adds exclusive features and is priced from $49,900. Audi says that there are 200 examples of the Launch Edition on offer.

The flagship 140kW/320Nm turbo-petrol 2.0 TFSI Quattro variant will be made available mid-year, but Audi has ruled out introducing a base version that would give the Q2 a sub-$40,000 pricetag.

Under the bonnet of the 1.4 TFSI is Audi’s four-cylinder unit – with Cylinder on Demand technology – delivering 110kW from 5000-6000rpm and 250Nm between 1500-3500rpm.

The 1.4 TFSI is front-wheel drive only and can hit 100km/h from zero in 8.5 seconds, consumes 5.3 litres of fuel per 100km on the combined cycle and emits 122g/km of CO2.

The 2.0-litre four-pot turbo-diesel in the 2.0 TDI pumps out 110kW from 3500-4000rpm and 340Nm between 1750-3000rpm, allowing for an 8.1s 0-100km/h time, a 5.0L/100km fuel use figure and 131g/km of CO2 emissions.

Like the 1.4 TFSI, it is paired with a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission, but the diesel is fitted with Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system.

The petrol variant uses a MacPherson strut front-end suspension setup and a torsion beam rear end, while the all-paw 2.0 TDI uses the same front-end system but a four-link rear setup.

At 4191mm long, 1508mm high, 1790mm wide and with a 2595mm wheelbase, the Q2 is smaller in all dimensions than its larger Q3 stablemate.

It is built on the latest version of the Volkswagen Group’s ubiquitous MQB platform that underpins the VW Golf, Skoda Octavia, Audi A3 and TT.

The Q2 can haul 405 litres of cargo with all seats in place, expanding to 1050 litres with the 60:40 second row backrest lowered. A 40:20:40 split version is offered as an option.

In diesel guise the Q2 has a braked towing capacity of 1600kg, which drops to 1300kg in the 1.4 TFSI.

As well as the five-mode (comfort, auto, dynamic, efficiency and individual) Audi Drive Select system, the Q2 comes standard with Progressive Steering, an electromechanical system that adapts to speed and ensures more direct turn-in, according to the brand.

Standard kit in 1.4 TFSI Design guise includes seven-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control, cruise control, automatic lights and wipers, leather appointed seats, front and rear floor mats, auto dimming interior mirror, multi-function leather steering wheel with paddle shifters, driver information system with 3.5-inch colour display, Audi Connect with in-car Wi-Fi hotspot and Google services, Bluetooth and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

It also gets MMI Navigation with a 7.0-inch high-res colour display with 3D maps, voice control, MMI free text search, eight speakers and two SD card readers.

Stepping up to the 2.0 TDI Sport adds an electric tailgate, sport front seats and aluminium look air vents, glovebox, park brake and window and mirror switches.

Safety wise all variants feature a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, seven airbags, Audi Pre-Sense autonomous emergency braking and pedestrian detection and the Electronic Stabilisation Program.

No less than six options packages are on offer, including three – Style, S line exterior and S line sport packages – that add visual flourishes inside and/or out.

Audi also offers an Assistance package with active safety features such as blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control and an auto parking function, as well as a Technik package with the Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster.

The Comfort package includes heated front seats and exterior mirrors, additional storage and a convenience key.

Audi says customisation will be a key selling point for the Q2, with buyers able to choose the colour of the C-pillar ‘blade’, as well as opting for a contrasting colour option for the lower body section.

Audi is offering the crossover with a choice of 12 colours, including Ibis white, Brilliant black, Vegas yellow and the new Quantum grey, as well as metallic hues Glacier white, Nano grey, Tango red, Florett silver, Mythos black, Daytona grey pearl effect and Ara blue crystal effect.

A new-to-the-brand Coral orange colour is exclusive to the Q2.

2017 Audi Q2 pricing*

Design 1.4 TFSI (a)	$41,100
Sport 2.0 TDI Quattro (a)	$47,900
Launch Edition 1.4 TFSI (a)	$49,900

*Excludes on-road costs