Audi Q2 due here Q1 next year

Audi's first sub-compact premium SUV is set to arrive in Australia within the first few months of next year (2017). The Q2 is expected to sell from just below $40,000, undercutting Audi's current entry-level Q3 SUV by as little as $2000.

According to Audi, the highly customisable Q2 offers as many as five million trim and colour combinations, as well as many of the premium technology and driver assistance technologies available in the brand's Q7 and A4 models.

First shown at the Geneva motor show earlier this year, the youthfully-styled five-seat SUV offers 405 litres of cargo space, yet measures only 4.19m in overall length.

Speaking to motoring.com.au at the international launch of the Q2 this week, Audi Australia general manager of corporate communications, Anna Burgdorf, said the model is expected to draw younger first-time buyers to the four-ringed brand.

"We're expecting the majority of buyers to range between 35 and 49 years of age, but think we'll also see a lot of buyers come from the 25 to 34 year-old bracket also," said Burgdorf.

"The exciting news for us is that most of these buyers will be new to the brand, and given their age, it's hoped they'll be retained and move up through the model range as they grow."

Burgdorf said the outlook for Audi's SUV range is promising, with numbers growing across the board. The Q2's prospects are especially strong, with growth in small and premium segments increasing exponentially.

"Locally, the SUV segment as a whole is up," Burgdorf continued. "The total SUV market is up 16 per cent year-on-year, with small SUVs up 27 per cent and premium SUVs growing 70 per cent. Given the Q2 fits squarely into the fastest growing segment in the entire market, we are expecting solid sales."

Locally, the Q2 is set to arrive with a long list of standard equipment, including a 7.0-inch infotainment screen and MMI interface, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control and autonomous emergency braking. Initially, both 1.4 TFSI (petrol) and 2.0 TDI (diesel) engines will be offered, the latter complemented by quattro all-wheel drive.

Based on Volkswagen's MQB architecture, the lightweight chassis (from 1205kg) is suspended by a strut (front) / multi-link (rear) suspension arrangement on quattro models with a trailing arm (rear) set-up on front-drive variants. All are supported by variable-speed electric steering and Audi's optional five-mode Drive Select system (in conjunction with adaptive damping). The braking is all-disc, measuring 312mm (front) and 272mm (rear) and the park brake is electro-mechanical.

The entry grade Q2 1.4 TFSI Design line will feature Audi's cylinder-on-demand technology, the 110kW/250Nm unit offered exclusively in front-wheel drive format. The model will arrive with contrasting Manhattan Grey skirts and C-pillar 'blades', 17-inch alloy wheels, sports leather steering wheel with paddle shifters and Eloxal finish (anodised appearance) interior inlays.

Higher grade (110kW/340Nm) 2.0 TDI Sport line quattro variants are distinguished by a full paint finish, 18-inch alloy wheels and Matt Titanium C-pillar 'blades'. The interior includes sports seats and steering wheel, Alloy Optic (10-colour LED illuminated) package and Eloxal interior inlays in red or yellow. A similarly specified (140kW/320Nm) 2.0 TFSI (petrol) Sport line quattro variant will arrive later. All models include idle-stop technology.

Optionally, it's expected both grades will be available with Audi's 12.3-inch virtual cockpit instrument array, electric tailgate, side assist, adaptive cruise control with Stop&Go, dynamic LED headlights, adaptive dampers, rear cross-traffic alert, head-up display and active lane assist.

The driver-focussed infotainment array also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A premium Bang & Olufsen 14-speaker / 705-Watt audio system is available optionally.

For more information on the Audi Q2, check out our international launch review here.