The compact premium crossover segment is one bloody arena and the Audi Q2 must perform - hence the facelift
by Tudor Rus, onAudi’s Q2 was brought to life to do battle against the likes of Mercedes-Benz GLA, BMW X1, Mini Countryman and to some extent, Volkswagen T-Roc. Four years after its inception, Audi is improving the recipe with more gear and extra technology.
What are the most notable changes?
Let’s start with size.
The revamped Q2 is a tad longer now, as it stretches to 4.21 meters (13.8 feet).
Width and height, however, stay the same: 1.79 meters/5.9 feet and 1.54 meters/5.1 feet, respectively. We’re also told that the 0.31 drag coefficient (attainable with the sport suspension) is the best in the segment.
New colors are also on the menu:
- apple green
- Manhattan gray
- Navarra blue
- arrow gray
- turbo blue
On the tech front, Audi unlocked LED headlights as standard kit for the Q2, but the Matrix LED clusters remain an optional feature. Out in the back, you can opt for dynamic turn signals as well, but keep in mind that if you specify the Matrix LED headlights, then the dynamic signals come as standard. Otherwise, you’ll have to make do with the regular LED clusters.
Inside the cabin, Audi is offering a segmented choice as far as infotainment is concerned. This means that options range from an analog instrument cluster to the Audi virtual cockpit based on a 12.3-inch screen and the MMI 8.3-inch navigation display. And for your hearing pleasure, the Q2 can be had with a 705-watt, 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.
What about engines?
The Audi Q2 can’t be had in the States, where the entry-level crossover in Audi’s stable is the Q3.
In Europe, however, the Q2 has enjoyed a fair share of popularity and Audi is now offering its baby SUV with no less than five engine options – three diesels and three gasoline units.
The novelty, however, is the addition of VW Group’s 1.5 TFSI mill, which is good for 110 kilowatts (150 PS, 147 horsepower) and 250 Newton-meters (184 pound-feet) of torque. You can have the engine bolted to either a six-speed manual (the standard offering) or the optional seven-speed S tronic automatic. Quattro all-wheel-drive is also available, but not for this particular engine.
A sport suspension setup can be selected, though, and it promises to reduce the ground clearance by 10 mm (0.4 inches). Additionally, you can opt for adjustable dampers which in turn unlock the Audi drive select setup.
When can I buy one?
From September 2020 onwards, when Audi will also introduce the ‘edition one’ model.
The Germans say prices for the Q2 will start at ‘approximately €25,000’, which is around $29,600 at current exchange rates.
The 1.5 TFSI-powered Q2 is priced at €27,196 – that’s about $32,200, but for now, there’s no info on how much the ’edition one’ model will cost.
