Geneva Motor Show: 2017 Audi Q2: Comments

[William Maley]

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Audi pulled the covers off the 2017 Q2 crossover today at the Geneva Motor Show. This new crossover is aimed at younger buyers living in urban areas and marks the beginning of an expansion for Audi's crossover lineup.

 

The first thing that is evident is that Q2's design wasn't born from the enlarge/reduce function on the copy machine. It looks slightly different from Audi's other crossovers. This is due to Audi's design boss Marc Lichte and his plan to make models look slightly different from each other. Up front is a large grille with an egg crate design for the insert and angled headlights. Around the side, Audi's designers took large, chamfered cut on the top off the doors to make the Q2 standout. There is also a low roof that merges into the C-Pillar with a set of color offset blades.

 

The interior is very reminiscent of the A3 sedan, meaning the layout is minimalist. Audi's MMI system comes standard and features the ability to act as a Wi-Fi hotspot. Optional will be Audi's 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit that provides a digital instrument cluster and is able to bring up navigation and other items. Cargo space measures out 14.3 cubic feet with the rear seats up, and 37.1 cubic feet with the seats down.

 

There will be a range of six engines - three gas and three diesels - ranging from 110 to 190 horsepower. A six-speed manual or Audi's S-Tronic dual-clutch transmission will be available on all of the engines. Front-wheel drive will come standard on the lower powered models while quattro all-wheel drive will be standard on the higher performance models.

 

On the safety front, the Q2 comes standard with automatic forward emergency braking. Optional is adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go function, traffic jam assist, traffic sign recognition, and lane departure warning.

 

Audi says the Q2 will go on sale in Europe this fall. It is unknown if the Q2 will make it to the states.

 

Source: Audi

 

 

Press Release is on Page 2

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Stage debut: the new Audi Q2

• Compact SUV has emotional, powerful design and high level of functionality
• Infotainment and assistance systems from the full-size class
• Engines from 85 kW (116 hp) to 140 kW (190 hp), quattro drive
  

Audi is revealing the new Audi Q2* at the Geneva International Motor Show. The compact SUV is an urban-type vehicle for everyday driving and recreation, uniting a progressive design with a high level of functionality. Connectivity, infotainment and assistance systems are on level of full-size class.

 

“In the Audi Q2 we have developed a distinctively geometric form language with model-specific design characteristics. The car exhibits an independent character within the Q family,” says Audi Head of Design Marc Lichte.

 

Rugged look
The result: a powerful SUV that shows a lot of vertices and edges. At the front, a strong image is created by the Singleframe grille in octagonal design that is positioned high as well as large air inlets. Especially eye-catching is the low roof that descends and merges into the C-pillars with color offset blades. This contrast accentuates the sportiness of the Audi Q2. The rear body terminates in a dynamic way with a long roof spoiler and a diffuser that has an underbody-protection look.

 

In a side view, the high shoulder line is especially eye-catching as are the concave flanks in the door area. The latter emphasize the wheel housings and thereby the quattro character of the compact SUV. The vehicle measures 1.51 meters (5.0 ft) tall and 1.79 meters (5.9 ft) wide. The overhangs are short with a vehicle length of 4.19 meters (13.7 ft) and a wheelbase of 2.60 meters (8.5 ft).

 

Technology from the full-size class
Along with the optional Audi virtual cockpit and the head-up display, the driver assistance systems for the Audi Q2 also come from the full-size class – including the Audi pre sense front that is standard. The system recognizes critical situations with other vehicles as well as pedestrians crossing in front of the vehicle, and if necessary it can initiate hard braking – to a standstill at low speeds. Other systems in the line-up: adaptive cruise control with Stop & Go function, traffic jam assist, the lane-departure warning system Audi side assist, the lane-keeping assistant Audi active lane assist, traffic sign recognition and parking and cross-traffic assist rear.

 

Highly connected
The Q2 is equipped with a standard MMI screen that is positioned high on the instrument panel. The infotainment system can be operated by a rotary/push-button control and two buttons on the center tunnel. When MMI navigation plus with MMI touch is ordered, the user also gets a touchpad on the central control element. In addition, the system can be conveniently controlled by natural language operation and the integrated MMI search. A Wi-Fi hotspot enables surfing and streaming with mobile end devices. Furthermore, customers can use MMI touch to query the online services of Audi connect. The flat rate data plan required for this is included thanks to the SIM card (embedded SIM) that is permanently installed in the car. It also permits roaming in most European countries. Cell phones with iOS and Android operating systems are integrated into the car via the Audi smartphone interface. The free Audi MMI connect app enables online media streaming and transfer of a calendar from a smartphone to the MMI. The app for iOS operating systems also has the myAudi destinations function. It makes it possible to send the data of a desired navigation destination from any app to the MMI navigation plus system. The system then uses it for navigation.

 

Simply functional
The Q2 fulfills fundamental expectations of an SUV with a high entry, good visibility and a large luggage compartment (405 to 1,050 liters (14.3 - 37.1 cu ft) of capacity). The highlight is that the driver’s seat position is sporty and low in relation to the steering wheel like in an Audi sedan. Optional practical solutions are available such as a power tailgate and a three-way split rear bench backrests with cargo through-loading.

 

Individual customization
The Audi Q2 is as individual as its drivers – inside and out. Many equipment packages, exterior colors and expressive colors for interior trim and seat upholstery allow plenty of creative space for personal configuration. One option is the LED lighting package, in which the interior is staged in a particularly attractive way with illuminated trim elements.

 

Drivetrain and chassis
The Q2 is launching with a selection of six different engines. Along with a 1.0-liter three-cylinder TFSI, two four-cylinder gasoline engines are being offered with 1.4 and 2.0 liters of displacement. In addition, three four-cylinder diesel engines are available with 1.6 and 2.0 liters of displacement. Their power output ranges from 85 kW (116 hp) to 140 kW (190 hp). As an alternative to the six-speed manual transmission, Audi also offers the S tronic dual clutch transmission with seven speeds for all engines. In the case of the top TDI and the 2.0 TFSI, a newly developed dual-clutch transmission is used, which has a new type of oil supply and reduced friction. Both engines may also be combined with a quattro permanent all-wheel drive system as standard equipment. Installed at the rear on the front-wheel drive versions is a semi-independent suspension, while the quattro models have a four-link suspension. Progressive steering is standard in all versions. It varies the steering gear ratio as a function of the steering input; the ratio is made more direct with large steering movements. Adaptive dampers are available as an option, as is the Audi drive select system with which drivers can set an individual characteristic for their Q2.

 

Market launch
The Audi Q2 launches on the European market in autumn 2016. Ordering begins mid-year for the compact SUV.

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[Robert Hall]

A bit of Land Rover Evoque in the greenhouse, some Mini Countryman also.   I guess this could be targeting the GLA and Mokka (Encore if it comes here).

Edited March 2, 2016 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[David]

Yes has similarity to the product line, but also looks cheap.

[Suaviloquent]

It looks like a Kia to me.

 

Seriously. I think the whole Kia-Audi thing has come full circle.

 

This looks like a Kia!!! Hmmmmm...

[Robert Hall]

It looks like a Kia to me.

 

Seriously. I think the whole Kia-Audi thing has come full circle.

 

This looks like a Kia!!! Hmmmmm...

Peter Schreyer went from Audi to Hyundai/Kia...it is interesting how so many automakers have such similar design elements...Hyundai and Audi have some very similar grille shapes, the Q2 has lower bumper vents and headlights that are Kia-esque.    And some Hyundai grilles look Fordish, and some Fords grilles look like Aston Martins...and over and over..

 

GM for the most part can be credited for distinctive styling, models across the brands generally don't have front ends or side profiles that look strongly like non-GM brands...though taillights and rear details often veer toward the generic on some models.

Edited March 2, 2016 by Cubical-aka-Moltar

[Frisky Dingo]

That rear pillar/panel thingy is terrible. Front is to blocky and visually massive. No thanks.