Audi has launched its most affordable offering in India, the Q2, at Rs 35 lakh, ex-showroom, for the base Standard variant while the range topping Technology variant retails at Rs 48.89 lakh. The baby Q was first unveiled at the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show after which it went on sale globally. Early this year Audi also showcased the facelifted Q2 with mild styling upgrades, but due to its unavailability on a global level, that’s not the model that India will get. After the A8, Q8, RSQ8 and the RS7, the Audi Q2 is the brand’s fifth launch in India in 2020.
Calling the Q2 an SUV would be sacrilege given its relatively short dimensions. It’s 4318mm long, 1805mm wide and 1548mm tall, meaning it’s marginally compact than its cousin, the Volkswagen T-Roc. Upfront it gets LED headlamps along with LED DRLs shaped like Thor’s hammer. The blacked-out grille looks massive while the lower air intakes get a honeycomb pattern. The rear is clutter-free and gets a rather conventional design along with a sharply raked rear windshield and skid plates for the rugged crossover look.
Globally the Q2 gets a range of engine options from 1-litre TFSI to 1.4- and 1.6-litre TFSI engines. India however gets the 2-litre TFSI engine that makes 187bhp and 320Nm of torque. It’s the same unit that does duty in the VW Tiguan Allspace and Skoda Superb. The power is enough to propel the Q2 from 0-100kmph in just 6.5 seconds and on to a top whack of 228kmph. Power gets sent to all four wheels via a 7-speed twin-clutch automatic transmission and Quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system.
Despite being the most affordable Audi, equipment levels are at par with its larger and more expensive siblings. For your connectivity needs, the Q2 gets the MMI Navigation Plus mounted atop the dashboard and integrated with Android Auto and Apple Carplay. There’s also a virtual cockpit, similar to what you get in the premium VW Group cars, along with plenty of additional goodies like wireless charging, sports seats and ambient lighting among others.
There are as many as five variants of the Q2 including Standard, Premium, Premium Plus 1, Premium Plus 2 and Technology. The Audi Q2 currently has no direct rivals in India. The BMW X1 and the upcoming second generation Mercedes-Benz GLA are both positioned half a segment above. Customers who book the Q2 in this initial period will get a ‘Peace of mind’ package from Audi India that includes five years of service, three years of extended warranty and three years of extended roadside assistance.