THE new Audi Q2 compact SUV will be priced from £20,230 as the brand’s first crossover targets younger buyers and business users when its joins the three-strong Audi Q range later this summer with bold styling and low emission engines.

Head of Audi Design Marc Lichte and his team have taken the Q2 in a new styling direction combined with a quality of finish and a portfolio of connectivity, infotainment and assistance systems from the larger Audi models.

Lichte says: “In the Audi Q2 we have developed a distinctively geometric form language with model-specific design characteristics. The car exhibits an independent character within the Q family.”

The result is a powerful SUV with a strong image from the front created by the high-mounted Singleframe grille and large air inlets. Especially eye-catching is the low roof that descends and merges into the rear pillars with colour offset blades.

The rear body terminates in a dynamic way with a long roof spoiler and a diffuser that has an underbody-protection look.

The Q2 measures 1.51m tall and 1.79m wide. The overhangs are short with a vehicle length of 4.19m and a wheelbase of 2.60m.

Along with the optional Audi virtual cockpit and the head-up display, the driver assistance systems for the Audi Q2 detailed in the panel also come from the larger Audi models.

The Q2 is equipped with a standard MMI screen that is positioned high on the instrument panel. The infotainment system can be operated by a rotary/push-button control and two buttons on the centre tunnel. When MMI navigation plus with MMI touch is ordered, the user also gets a touchpad on the central control element. In addition, the system can be conveniently controlled by natural language operation and the integrated MMI search.

Furthermore, users can use MMI touch to query the online services of Audi connect. The flat rate data plan required for this is included thanks to the embedded SIM that is permanently installed in the car. It also permits roaming in most European countries.

Mobile phones with iOS and Android operating systems are integrated into the car via the standard Audi smartphone interface. The free Audi MMI connect app enables online media streaming and transfer of a calendar from a smartphone to the MMI. The app for iOS operating systems also has the myAudi destinations function. It makes it possible to send the data of a desired navigation destination from any app to the MMI navigation plus system. The system then uses it for navigation.

The Q2 fulfils the fundamental expectations of an SUV with a high entry, good visibility and a large luggage compartment (405 to 1,050 litres of capacity), yet the driver’s seat position is low in relation to the steering wheel as in an Audi saloon. Optional practical solutions are available such as a power tailgate and a three-way split rear bench backrest with cargo through-loading.

Many equipment packages, exterior colours and expressive colours for interior trim and seat upholstery allow plenty of creative space for personal configuration. One option is the LED lighting package advanced, in which the interior is staged with illuminated trim elements. Newly designed 16-inch alloy wheels are standard, and can be optionally increased to 19 inches.

Choice of engines and transmissions

The Q2 is launching in the UK with an initial choice of two four-cylinder engines – the 1.6 TDI with 115PS and the Cylinder-on-Demand 1.4 TFSI with 150PS. A three-cylinder 1.0 TFSI with 115PS and a four-cylinder 2.0 TDI with 150PS will become available later in the year.

As an alternative to the six-speed manual transmission, Audi will also offer the S tronic dual clutch transmission with seven speeds for all engines bar the 1.0 TFSI (standard for the 2.0 TDI). From mid-2017 a 2.0 TFSI petrol engine allied exclusively to quattro all-wheel-drive and S tronic transmission will be introduced, and at that point it will also be possible to combine the 150PS TDI and TFSI engines with quattro drive.

Front-wheel drive versions have a semi-independent rear suspension, while the quattro models have a four-link suspension. Progressive steering is standard in all versions. Adaptive dampers are available as an option, as is the Audi drive select system with which drivers can set an individual characteristic for their Q2.

Three specification levels

Three specification levels are available from launch on the new Q2, with entry-level SE versions having a raft of features as standard. Among them is the Audi smartphone interface, which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto displayed via the MMI screen once a phone is plugged in via USB. A Bluetooth interface is also standard, as is the MMI radio plus with MMI controller and heated, electrically adjustable exterior mirrors. Inlays can be chosen in either white or orange.

For an additional £1,550, Sport models gain 17-inch alloy wheels (up from 16 inches on SE), Audi drive select with five operational modes, cruise control, light and rain sensors and sport seats upholstered in cloth. SD-card based MMI navigation is displayed via the seven-inch central screen and includes a three-month trial unlocking the Audi connect portfolio.

Red or yellow inlays can be selected for the interior, while bumpers can be specified in Manhattan grey or matching body colour depending on preference.

Stand-out features on S line models – priced at £2,250 above Sport – include the hallmark front, side and rear styling enhancements, 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps with LED rear lights and dynamic sweeping rear indicators, LED interior lighting, inlays finished in brushed aluminium and front sport seats upholstered in cloth/leather upholstery with S embossing on the backrests.

A multi-function perforated leather steering wheel is also standard, featuring grey contrasting stitching and S line badging.

An exclusive Q2 design feature is the contrasting blade on the C-pillars. On SE it is finished in Manhattan grey, in Ice silver on Sport and matt Titanium grey for S line models. All of these colours are optionally interchangeable and Ibis white is also separately available.

Q2 model range and pricing

*Available later