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Audi’s Q2 delivers compact luxury & value

  • Written by Narend Sooknarine
  • Published in Auto News

It’s no secret that the world has fallen in love again with smaller vehicles. In particular, smaller premium vehicles allow entry-level buyers to access the luxury market, while empty nesters can downsize as their children move out and create their own family units. And besides, who ever said that everyday living had to be boring? With cars like Audi’s new Q2, a regular trip to the mall or supermarket can be a stylish and dynamic journey that lets you express your automotive personality. 


We had the opportunity to experience the Audi Q2 recently, making a few runs around the town in south Trinidad, taking lots of photos along the way. At first glance, you’ll notice the more masculine-looking front fascia accentuated by the S line exterior package. The tiny S line badge lets you know that there are a few special bits added. On our red test vehicle, the C-pillar was factory painted in silver, reminiscent of the Audi R8’s distinctive side blades and hinting at its sporty intent. 

On our red test vehicle, the C-pillar was factory painted in silver, reminiscent of the Audi R8’s distinctive side blades and hinting at its sporty intent.


As you walk around the vehicle, you will notice that yesteryear’s slab-sided styling has been replaced with polygonal surfacing that is nicely highlighted in direct sunlight. At the rear, things are fairly tidy, at the top, with a diffuser-esque rear bumper that is par for the course. The Q2 is a compact vehicle, but you may not realise it from the photos. 

Despite its seemingly modest size, power is rated at 150hp@5000-6000rpm, while torque is around 184ft-lb@1500-3500 rpm (250Nm). The engine’s urgency comes on smartly from just over idle, making progress like a well-behaved 2.0-litre...


Under the hood we’re looking at a 1.4-litre turbocharged, direct injection, four-cylinder gasoline engine. Despite its seemingly modest size, power is rated at 150hp@5000-6000rpm, while torque is around 184ft-lb@1500-3500 rpm (250Nm). The engine’s urgency comes on smartly from just over idle, making progress like a well-behaved 2.0-litre naturally aspirated engine would. Acceleration from 0-100km/h (62mph) takes around nine seconds on the eight-speed (tiptronic automatic that is standard for our market)– adequate for a crossover-style front wheel drive vehicle. The Q2’s maximum velocity is estimated to be around 218km/h.


Fuel economy is where this package shines with consumption estimates in the 37-43mpg range for mixed driving, while meeting Euro 6 emissions standards. At the traffic lights and other places where you stop, the engine’s start/stop function will shut the engine down to save fuel, restarting on demand once you release the brake and are about to press the accelerator pedal. Thus far, Audi in Trinidad and Tobago has resisted the urge to make the jump to hybrid or electric vehicles, but we imagine these are on the horizon, probably pending wider availability of charging stations. 

Fuel economy is where this package shines with consumption estimates in the 37–43mpg range for mixed driving, while meeting Euro 6 emissions standards.


The Q2’s fuel economy and smart performance figures are also due in part to its relatively light kerb weight of 1,265kg or 2,789lb. Maximum load capacity is 595kg/1,312lb, while the roof can safely bear up to 60kg (132lb). If you plan to do any towing, you’re looking at around a max of 670kg/1,477lb unbraked. Although towing and roof loading are certainly not the cultural norm in Trinidad, it’s nice to know these specifications have been predetermined by Audi. 

The Q2’s fuel economy and smart performance figures are also due in part to its relatively light kerb weight of 1,265kg or 2,789lb.


Handling wise, the Audi Q2 felt very car-like (as opposed to crossover) around the San Fernando and Marabella areas, taking on the combinations of curves and inclines with ease. Drivers will be pleased to know that the Q2 gives you a few seconds of automatic hill holding, allowing you plenty of time to get on the gas when starting out on an incline. Ride quality was also good, with harsher and sharper road bumps and holes presenting mild disturbances on our drive– a small tradeoff for reasonably flat cornering. With the wheel placement closer to the corners on a fairly lightweight chassis, the Q2 feels nimble and is further enhanced by the 18” wheels, rolling on 215/50R18 tyres all around. 

Drivers will be pleased to know that the Q2 gives you a few seconds of automatic hill holding, allowing you plenty of time to get on the gas when starting out on an incline.


As is common with vehicles of this size, the front suspension features an independent McPherson strut setup while the rear is a torsion beam design. The Q2 also features disc brakes in both the front and rear. You can also tinker with the overall behaviour of the car via Audi drive select, which allows you to adjust the sensitivity of the steering and transmission. On our drive the standard mode was fine for our typical Trinidadian driving situations, while sport mode made merging, corners and clear stretches of road more exciting. 

Inside you’ll find loads of convenience features including a fairly large central information display that connects to your smart phone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto...


Inside you’ll find loads of convenience features including a fairly large central information display that connects to your smart phone via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, making it easy to use Waze and other popular navigation apps to get you to your destination efficiently.


But amid the flurry of features listed on the specification sheet, one in particular stood out to us when we actually sat in the car– the ambient lighting. And while many cars now come with this feature, the Q2 does it very differently– with lighting inlays that blend in so that you won’t actually see them until they light up! Quite a number of colours are available as well. Rear a/c vents also let backseat passengers enjoy a bit of extra cooling. 

...the ambient lighting. And while many cars now come with this feature, the Q2 does it very differently– with lighting inlays that blend in so that you won’t actually see them until they light up!


The modern-day occupant will appreciate the wireless charging pad built into the central armrest storage area which can interface with the latest smart phones that offer that feature, along with USB charging ports for rear passengers to plug their devices into. For the old-school luxury car crowd, there is a full leather interior, as one would expect in a vehicle from a premium brand. 

Performance-oriented drivers will appreciate the sport seats that offer good side and lumbar support and the leather-wrapped, flat-bottomed, three-spoke sport steering wheel.


Performance-oriented drivers will appreciate the sport seats that offer good side and lumbar support and the leather-wrapped, flat-bottomed, three-spoke sport steering wheel. Fans of practicality will appreciate the rear split-folding seats that expand the rear cargo storage area (from around 14 to 37 cubic feet) and the rear hatch opening (with one-touch powered close) for easy loading. Our only real quibble is the slightly compromised rear footwell space when the front seats are configured for tall drivers. 

Safety features include ISOFIX child seat mounting points, a built-in tyre pressure monitoring system, space saving spare tyre, six airbags...


Safety features include ISOFIX child seat mounting points, a built-in tyre pressure monitoring system, space saving spare tyre, six airbags (dual front, side and head), Audi Pre-Sense, and electronic stability control that includes ABS, ASR and EDL. A first aid kit, safety vest and warning triangle are also provided. The Q2 also features LED front and rear lights, along with daytime running lights. Introductory pricing is around TT$325K on the road, that is, all taxes included, with a built in five-year or 100,000km warranty. Contact Southern Sales and Service today for more information and to schedule your demo drive.

 

What If They Zorced It Up?
While this model is not available to our local market, internationally there is an Audi SQ2 that features a 296-hp 2.0-litre petrol engine with four-wheel drive and the S tronic transmission. Zero to 60mph should take just 4.9 seconds (en route to a top speed of 250km/h) on that version of this practical, value-laden crossover. 

...there is an Audi SQ2 that features a 300-hp 2.0-litre petrol engine with four-wheel drive and the S tronic transmission. Zero to 60mph should take just 4.9 seconds on that version...

 

Technical Specifications: Audi Q2, SQ2

  S2 SQ2
Engine Power 150hp@5000-6000rpm (112kW) 300hp@5200-6500rpm (221kW)
Engine Torque 184ft-lb@1500-3500rpm (250Nm) 295ft-lb@2000-5200rpm (400Nm)
Engine Displacement/Type 1498cc/I-4 TFSI w/start/stop 1984cc/I-4 TFSI w/start/stop
Emissions standard  EU6 EU6
Drivetrain Front Wheel Drive All Wheel Drive
Transmission 8-speed Tiptronic Auto 7-speed dual clutch (S tronic)
Top Speed 218km/h (135.5mph) 250km/h  (155.3mph)
Drag Coefficient 0.31 0.34
Turning Circle 11.1m (36.4ft) 11.1m (36.4ft)
 0-62mph (100km/h) 8.6s (S tronic) / ~9s (Auto) 4.9s
Brakes F/R 4-wheel disc w/ESC/ABS/EBD 4-wheel disc w/ESC/ABS/EBD
Tyres 215/50 R 18 235/45 R 18
Wheels Alloy 8J x 18" Alloy 8J x 18"
Fuel Tank Capacity / Fuel Type 50L / Gasoline 95RON 55L / Gasoline 98RON
Est. Fuel Consumption Combined/City/Highway 37/48/43mpg 30/25/35mpg
Roof load limit 60kg (132lb) 60kg (132lb)
Trailer load limit 8%/12% gradient (braked) // unbraked 1700kg (3747.9lb) / 1500kg (3306.9lb) // 680kg (1499.1lb) 1600kg (3527.4lb) / 1400kg (3086.5lb) // 750kg (1653.3lb)
Luggage Volume 405-1050L 405-1050L
Weight unladen, without driver 1290kg (2844lb) 1535kg (3384.1lb)
Width including mirrors 2009mm (6.6ft) 2009mm (6.6ft)
Wheelbase // Track Width F/R 2601mm (8.5ft) // 1546mm (5.07ft) / 1542mm (5.06ft) 2594mm (8.5ft) // 1547mm (5.1ft) / 1551mm (5.1ft)

 

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