Faster Audi Q2 on the cards

Audi has this week launched its Q2 compact SUV in Europe, the newly released model already shaping up to be a hot seller for the prestige German marque. But there's word that the Q2 could be hotter again, with sportier SQ2 or even RS Q2 variants likely subject to customer demand.

Speaking to motoring.com.au at the international launch of the Q2 in Switzerland this week, Audi's head of powertrain development for the Q2, Martin Hesslinger, said the model could readily lend itself to warming over.

"Although we haven't confirmed an SQ2 or RS Q2 at this stage, it's certainly possible," explained Hesslinger.

"Ultimately the decision will fall to our product team, who will decide if the business case makes sense based on customer feedback, but as to whether it is possible, then yes, physically it is."

The Q2's MQB underpinnings are shared with the A3, a model that has spawned both S3 and RS 3 performance variants. Hesslinger said that as the chassis and engines are essentially identical (the Q2 even sharing its wheelbase with three-door A3 variants), that a performance variant of the SUV could be developed rather quickly.

"It's possible we could develop such a model, for sure," he continued. "The two-litre TFSI engine is the same as the S3's, and it's possible to tune more from it. But it will really depend on whether customer demand is strong enough."

Audi has precedent with go-faster SUVs. Its latest SQ7 is already drawing rave reviews, while the SQ5 TDI has been Australia's best-selling Q5 variant since its launch in 2013. At the smaller end of the market, the recently updated RS Q3 is also performing well, the model challenging the Mercedes-AMG GLA 45 for top position in the segment.

The Audi Q2 range goes on sale in Europe this month. It is expected to go on sale locally from Q1, 2017.

Visit motoring.com.au again soon for our international launch review of the Audi Q2.