First Audi SQ2 previewed

Audi has officially unveiled its hot new SQ2 ahead of its debut at the Paris motor show later this week.

Borrowing its 221kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine and quattro all-wheel drive from the Volkswagen Golf R, the first Audi SQ2 is claimed to be capable of accelerating to 100km/h in just 4.8 seconds -- only 0.2sec slower than the lighter VW hot hatch.

Top speed, meanwhile, is identical to the Golf R with the SQ2 limited to 250km/h.

Set to go on sale in early 2019, the SQ2 is claimed to be just one of 11 new Audi SUV derivatives to be introduced before the end of next year.

Tailoring the Golf R's engine to the body of the Audi Q2, engineers added new camshafts, a new intake and a redesigned exhaust system.

To help reign in all that performance, the flagship Q2 also gets beefed up brakes with larger 340mm front discs and 310mm rear rotors.

Unlike the Volkswagen hatch, Audi will not offer a six-speed manual version of the SQ2. Instead, there's only the firm's seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic.

Featuring sports suspension that sees the SQ2 sit 20mm lower than regular Q2 models, the small Audi SUV comes with a quattro all-wheel drive system that can channel the car's torque to the rear axle using a new wheel-selective torque control function. Audi's newest S model can also brake its inside wheel for faster cornering.

Helping it stand out from the rest of the Q2 range, the sporty small SUV gets a new grille with eight vertical bars instead of the standard car's horizontal slats. There's also a pair of redesigned lower air intakes, a new front splitter and a pair of LED headlights.

At the rear, there are quad exhausts and a roof spoiler.

As standard, the SQ2 rides on modest 18-inch alloys but there's the option of larger 19s.

Inside, the Q2 cabin gets sport seats, black headlining and plenty of brushed aluminium trim.

The SQ2 was created to go head-to-head with the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 – which takes the same 4.8 seconds to hit 100km/h – so expect it to undercut the three-pointed star's price tag.

But the fact the AMG GLA 45 produces around 45kW more than the little Audi has prompted some commentators to suggest Audi Sport could be secretly developing an even more powerful RSQ2.

If so, Audi's smallest SUV icould be powered by the RS 3's 294kW 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo engine, which should ensure the RSQ2 hits 100km/h in around 4.3 seconds.