Progressive design, compact dimensions, and great driving pleasure: The Audi Q2 established itself as a car full of character right away when it was introduced in the market four years ago. Audi has now refreshed the car, giving the exterior an even more distinctive profile with striking details as part of three different trim lines. The new Audi Q2 will officially retail in South Africa from 1 June 2021.
Even more striking at the front and rear: the exterior design
The Audi Q2 is a robust, sporty all-around vehicle as its design indicates at the first glance: It is sporty, elongated, and unique at the same time, and its corners and edges give it an even more confident appearance. The compact SUV measures 4.208 metres in length, 17 millimetres more than before. The wheelbase of 2.60 metres, the width of 1.79 metres, and the height of 1.508 metres have remained the same. The drag coefficient with sport suspension is 0.31 – a top-of-the-range result in the small SUV segment.
The Audi designers have now applied the motif of the polygon, which already characterized the front and shoulder line, to the rear end as well: The bumper has an integrated angular diffuser insert with large pentagons on both sides. The front has also been modified, and the surfaces below the headlights now have a more distinctive shape. The large implied air inlets, which are also pentagonal, also appear even more expressive, especially in the S line trim line. The octagonal Singleframe is slightly lower than before, making the front section appear wider.
The colour palette of the updated Audi Q2 includes five new colours: Apple green is celebrating its premiere with the brand, and Manhattan grey, Navarra blue, arrow grey, and turbo blue are newly available for the compact SUV. The blades on the C-pillars are painted either in body colour or designed in silver, grey or black (depending on the trim line or package selected).
In addition to the basic version, Audi offers the advanced and S line exterior trim lines. In the basic version, the attachments in the lower area of the body are grained black; in the Advanced line, they are painted in Manhattan grey, and in the S line, they are painted in the body colour. All lines include mirror housings in the body colour, and the front entries feature aluminium strips. The optional black styling package further enhances the Q2’s expressive exterior design with black accents and elements.
Top-of-the-line technology: Matrix LED headlights
Even in the standard version, the revised Q2 illuminates the road with LED headlights, and Audi will install the new Matrix LED headlights upon request. One shared module houses seven individual LEDs. The intelligently controlled high beam light always illuminates the road as brightly as possible without blinding other road users. Ten further light-emitting diodes installed behind rhomboid optical components generate the daytime running light. Seven LEDs generate the dynamic turn signals independently.
For the rear lights, Audi offers a version with LED technology (only on Advanced and S line models). If the Matrix LED headlights are on board, the dynamic turn signal is also included. When the car is locked and unlocked, dynamic light sequencing plays in the headlights and rear lights.
Engine and trim lines on offer for the Q2
The compact SUV is being launched in the South African market with one engine offering. The 1.4 TFSI that powers the Q2 35 TFSI has an output of 110 kW and produces 250 Nm of torque. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h takes 8.8 seconds; its peak is 213 km/h. The vehicle is fitted with an 8-speed tiptronic gearbox.
The standard trim line includes: 16-inch wheels and the blade in body colour.
The Advanced trim line includes: 17-inch wheels; blade in Manhattan grey; bumper in contrasting paint (grey finish); LED rear lights; sports seats and index fabric upholstery.
The S line includes: 18-inch wheels; blade in Platinum grey; bumper in full paint finish; LED rear lights; sports seats; index fabric upholstery and sports suspension.
A pleasant place: the interior
The spacious interior of the Audi Q2 accommodates five passengers. They can get in with ease and sit in a comfortably elevated position. The optional panoramic glass sunroof brings light and air into the car; tinted privacy glazing, which is also optional, shields the rear seating area from view. The luggage compartment holds 405 litres, expanding to 1,050 litres when the rear seat backs are folded down. As an optional extra, Audi will deliver the storage and luggage compartment with a tailgate that opens and closes electrically.
The interior design of the compact SUV echoes the taut design language of the exterior. The round air vents with their jet design and the gear lever knob – or selector lever of the S tronic – have been retouched slightly. The S line interior package enhances the standard appearance of the cabin and can be added with the Advanced and S line exterior trim lines.
In the basic interior, standard or sport seats are available with fabric upholstery or a combination of leather and leatherette (artificial leather). Standard seat upholstery includes script fabric in black. Sports seats are available in index fabric as standard and is finished off in black with rock grey accents. Sports seats can be optionally upgraded with leather / leatherette upholstery or as part of the S line interior package, these are finished off in black colour with rock grey stitching. The upholstery also features embossed S logos on the backrest in the latter offering.
Customers who order the contour ambient lighting package can choose from ten colours to add visual lighting personality to the interior of the new Audi Q2. As part of this package, the decorative inserts within the cabin are able to light up as well.
New package strategy: equipment and materials
Audi offers four distinct local equipment packages which offers convenience, customisation and inclusivevalue proposition. This includes the following:
Comfort Package: electric tailgate; 4-way lumbar support; seat heaters in front; storage and luggage compartment package with two rear USB’s.
Tech Package: MMI navigation plus; Audi smartphone interface; Audi virtual cockpit.
Black styling package: only available on the Advanced and S line models and includes Singleframe in black; front and rear bumper trims in black; exterior mirrors in black; side blade in black; 19-inch 10-spoke Y style wheels in black; sports suspension. This package is only available with the Advanced and S line models.
S line interior package: only available on the Advanced and S line models and includes decorative inserts in matte brushed aluminium; S line emblems; headliner in black fabric; interior aluminium look; pedal and foot rest in stainless steel; scuff plates with aluminium inserts in front and illuminated with “S” logo as well. This package is only available with the Advanced and S line models.
Displays and infotainment
The range in terms of displays and infotainment is structured in two levels in the Q2. An analog instrument with a colour display comes as standard. The top-of-the-line version is the Audi virtual cockpit with a 12.3-inch diagonal which forms part of the Technology Package and also includes Audi smartphone interface and MMI navigation plus, which is operated via the rotary push button on the centre tunnel (MMI touch) or via natural-language voice control.
The optional Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System actuates 14 loudspeakers with an output of 705 watts – its performance is a special feature in the compact SUV segment.
Progressive steering as standard: the suspension
The Audi Q2 is a sporty compact SUV. Its standard equipment includes the progressive steering, which becomes more and more direct the further the driver turns the steering wheel. It thereby ensures excellent handling while maneuvering and a great driving experience on winding roads. Since the model is front-wheel drive, wishbones and MacPherson suspension struts guide the front wheels, and a torsion-beam structure is installed in the rear.
The sport suspension lowers the body by 10 millimetres (standard with the S line model). The Audi drive select dynamic handling system enables the driver to configure the drive, steering assistance, and other systems in five modes: auto, efficiency, comfort, dynamic, and individual. With roughly 20 centimetres of ground clearance, the compact SUV also does well on unpaved roads. The ESC stabilization control has an integrated offroad mode.
Local pricing and availability
The new Audi Q2 will officially go on sale in South Africa from 1 June 2021 and is priced as follows (inclusive of all taxes) and comes standard with a five year Audi Freeway Plan:
Audi Q2 35 TFSI Launch Edition R519,500 (limited units available at the time of launch)
Audi Q2 35 TFSI R545,500
Audi Q2 35 TFSI Advanced R567,500
Audi Q2 35 TFSI S line R581,500
A snapshot of a few, key standard equipment features includes: LED headlights; Audi music interface; Audi sound system; comfort automatic air-conditioning; cruise control system; driver information system with colour display; power adjustable exterior mirrors; leather wrapped multifunction steering wheel; progressive steering, rear parking aid; start/stop system with regenerative braking.*The equipment, data, information and prices stated in this document refer to the Audi model range and current brand initiatives offered in South Africa, at the time of print and/or upload. Subject to change without notice; errors and omissions excepted.
*Fuel consumption and CO2 emission figures given in ranges depend on the tires/wheels used as well as the selected equipment.