SUVs are selling like hot cakes. So Audi are cooking up a small Q2, says Georg Kacher
AUDI ARE ON TREND THIS SEASON, planning a raft of new launches to meet the consumer rush towards SUVs. Ingolstadt is readying several new Q models to tempt those wanting taller, family-focused vehicles.
The new Q2 revealed here is the smallest Audi wearing wellies and we’ll see it in late 2013. This smallest Audi SUV had previously been referred to internally as Q1, but Audi are re-jigging its mud-plugger range to make it easier to understand each model’s positioning.
Odd-numbered Q models (Q3/Q5/Q7) will in the future wear a different livery with a modest off-road bias, not unlike the A4/A6 Allroad. Even numbered Q cars (Q2/Q4/Q6/Q8) will be lifestyle-oriented boulevard cruisers, not unlike the Audi Steppenwolf concept that kicked off the crossover theme a decade ago. So Q2 it is.
“Audi will be the fi rst premium brand to offer a crossover in the Polo segment,” said an insider. “This is the world’s fi rst premium compact crossover coupé and we are preparing a stylish four-seater, taller than a hatchback, but by no means a pseudo-MPV. It’ll be totally practical and yet a lot of fun to drive.”
Naturally, the Audi Q2 is derived from the A1 – read Polo – gene pool. It could borrow from the Yeti for four-wheel drive, but Audi Chief Executive Rupert Stadler hints that four-wheel drive might come with a new 21st century twist. “If the customers insist on four-wheel drive, we have ways and means of meeting that request. Remember the Metroproject concept? It featured quattro, but the rear wheels were propelled by an electric motor…”
The majority of Q2s will be front-wheel drive anyhow, but Audi plan an ESP-based computerised diff lock as on the Golf GTI to brake the inner front wheel to reduce understeer and torque steer, while at the same time speeding up the turn-in action.
A suite of A1-based engines will be offered, pointing to a smorgasbord of engines from 1.2 petrols to 2.0 diesels. With the latest start-stop technology and other fuel-saving gizmos, we wouldn’t be at all surprised if the Q2 were able to duck CO2 emissions as low as 100 g/km.
If carbon doesn’t fuss you, you’ll be pleased to hear there may even be a Q2 S, wrapped up in S-line fancy dress, and ahigh-output turbocharged petrol engine good for nearly 203PS, driving through a twin-clutch transmission.
