Audi Q2, an SUV with its own style, presentation and test drive in Bilbao

Diego G. Moreira 21 November 2016 9 min.

Audi Q2, an SUV with its own style, presentation and test drive in Bilbao

#Untaggable was the motto of the presentation and launch of the Audi Q2, which literally means “unlabellable”, and that is how the Germans see their new launch. To test it and check how #Untaggable it is, we attended an original presentation in Bilbao and Santander where we got behind the wheel of the Audi Q2, an eye-catching SUV that aims to win people over both by its image and by its driving, and which is available from 25,950 euros for the 1.0 TFSI and from 27,450 euros for the TDI 116 CV Design Edition.

Exterior design: carefully detailed lines for an exterior with personality

With the Q2, Audi focuses on a public that values design and likes to drive different cars, because nowadays it is no longer enough to create a new SUV and send it straight into the saturated market; you have to offer something different, and that is the direction the German brand has taken.

At first sight it has many elements that do not follow the line set by the rest of the models of the four-ring brand. Its exterior lines are polygonal and the roof adds sportiness and a coupé style, with a C-pillar (the rear one) that Audi has named “blade” and which plays with tones and is an inseparable part of the exterior design.

The front has a huge grille and again straight lines in its design, with headlights featuring LED technology for all lighting functions. At the rear, the SUV look shows in the robust lines and a raised tailgate.

There are two distinct exterior design lines: Design and Sport. The first -Design- has a more SUV style, with black wheel arches, crossover-type mouldings and a more robust look. The second, Sport, is sportier and shows body-coloured wheel arches, as well as the front and rear bumpers. Both trim lines can also add the S-Line finish. And the wheels, standard at 18 inches.

Interior design: Audi sobriety with technology as its flagship

The exterior personalisation is also reflected in the Q2’s interior, where there are different finishes and colours for the seats or for the interior lighting; for the first time there are backlit trim pieces with a choice of different colours.

The interior design is similar to that of the Audi A3, with quality materials (except for some details more typical of the Audi A1 than of a Q2 or A3) and a sober dashboard where the MMI system screen is the star (along with the controls on the centre console). The driving position is slightly raised, with good visibility. Digital instrumentation is available as an option, which provides a lot of information and is really practical.

Available engines: diesel or petrol up to 190 CV

The Audi Q2 is available with three petrol engines and three diesels, up to 190 CV of power in both cases. The petrol range starts with the small three-cylinder 1.0 TFSI which delivers 116 CV and a maximum torque of 200 Nm. The most balanced engine is the 1.4 TFSI 150 CV, equipped with the COD “Cylinder on demand” cylinder deactivation system. The top petrol option is the powerful 2.0 TFSI of 190 CV, an engine that has been updated to achieve better consumption and emissions, as well as improved engine response; it comes standard with Quattro traction.

The diesel range starts with the 1.6 TDI of 116 CV, which has been completely updated and is a worthy entry-level diesel option. The other option is the well-known 2.0 TDI with 150 CV or 190 CV. The most powerful 190 CV variant is paired with the S-Tronic dual-clutch gearbox and Quattro all-wheel drive. At launch it will only be available with the 116 CV 1.6 TDI diesel and the 190 CV 2.0 TDI, while in petrol only the 150 CV 1.4 TFSI, with the rest of the engines being added to the range later on.

Special effort has gone into making the Q2 a dynamic car: the steering has an outstanding feel (progressive as standard) and the car’s low weight makes it very light and agile to drive (the 115 CV petrol version weighs 1,205 kg). Quattro traction is available in combination with the most powerful engines and, although it is not a pure off-roader, the traction system is always a plus, both on the road and occasionally in adverse conditions or on tracks where it may be needed. It works through an electronically controlled hydraulic multi-plate clutch: under normal conditions almost all the torque goes to the front wheels, and it is sent quickly and automatically to the rear wheels when necessary.

Behind the wheel of the Audi Q2 1.6 TDI 116 CV and 1.4 TFSI 150 CV

On the first day of the presentation I was able to test the Audi Q2 1.6 TDI with 116 CV. It is the entry-level diesel engine, but thanks to how light the Q2 is, it is enough to enjoy the road. In fact, you notice in the first few kilometres that the four-ring brand has wanted to emphasise the driving sensations and has created a car with good steering feel; its steering is quite communicative and direct, and the Q2 is agile, responding outstandingly when tackling a challenging road. The presentation route included a rather winding road, and this is where I could see that, besides being agile, it is a car with well-mannered reactions.

It optionally has Audi Drive Select, which lets us switch between the different driving modes and can even equip the suspension with damping control, allowing us to completely change the response of the Audi Q2 depending on the selected mode. On the second day, the engine we could test was the 150 CV 1.4 TFSI petrol, without a doubt the most balanced engine in the petrol range: no horsepower is missing and the response is sporty, being forceful in acceleration. Its suspension is rather firm, but without becoming uncomfortable, though it is clear that it does not have the typical soft feel of an SUV; instead it opts for dynamism.

As for going off the asphalt, it will surely not be the decisive feature for future buyers, but its 15 cm ground clearance means it can cover tracks without difficulty. Honestly, though, I consider the traction more of a plus for driving (for snowy areas or for an even more precise response on the road) than a support for off-road use.

In short, during the two days we spent behind the wheel of the Audi Q2 I was surprised by its agility, its commitment to dynamism behind the wheel and a range of engines that move the Audi Q2 with ease. As always, the S-Tronic gearbox remains a benchmark for speed and comfort in operation. Our unit had the assistance package, a set of safety systems that includes adaptive cruise control (ACC) with Stop & Go function, Audi pre sense, Audi lane assist, the traffic sign recognition system, Audi parking system plus and automatic high beam assist.

Prices and equipment of the Audi Q2

Its price starts at 25,950 euros for the 116 CV 1.0 TFSI. However, it has currently gone on sale with the 116 CV 1.6 TDI diesel, the 150 CV 1.4 TFSI petrol and the 190 CV 2.0 TDI diesel, and two trim lines: Design Edition and Sport Edition, plus a special version called #Untaggable Edition. Although design and dynamism are two strong points of the Q2, in the opinion of the writer prices are somewhat high, but they are part of the exclusivity that the Audi Q2 represents.

The Design Edition line starts at 27,450 euros for the 116 CV TDI, and it has the most off-road look. Its standard equipment includes:

MMI Plus radio
3.5″ monochrome driver information system
Sporty three-spoke multifunction leather steering wheel
Audi singleframe grille surround in matt chrome
Air intake grilles with silver surround
Lower front bumper section in Manhattan grey with Selenit silver protector
Rear diffuser in Manhattan grey with Selenit silver diffuser
Wheel arches and sills in Manhattan grey contrast paint
Blade (C-pillar) in Manhattan grey
Window surrounds in anthracite black
Chrome exhaust outlet
Aspect fabric upholstery
Interior trim in white or orange
18″ Audi Sport cast aluminium wheels in off-road 5-spoke design (215/50 R18)
Connectivity package
Air conditioning
Anti-glare interior mirror with light and rain sensor

The next line is the Sport Edition, sportier, with the same base equipment as the Design line but with body-coloured elements instead of contrasting ones, such as the diffuser or the wheel arches, as well as a different interior finish and different 18-inch wheels. The 116 CV TDI diesel starts at 27,850 euros with this trim line.

Finally, there is the special #Untaggable Edition, which arrives as the top of the range to have an Audi Q2 with everything, as well as a very eye-catching design. Its equipment takes the elements of the Design trim plus other features: