Audi launches baby cross-over Q2 at 2016 Geneva

Although the MQB platform, on which the car is based on, doesn’t support a four-wheel drive system, Audi has managed to devise a quattro for their new crossover Q2. Primarily though the Q2 is a front wheel drive SUV wherein an electronically controlled multi-plate differential transfers the torque to the rear wheels as and when required.

The Q2 comes with a plethora of engine options. A 1.0-litre three-cylinder motor, a 1.4-litre four cylinder turbocharged engine and a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbomotor with direct as well as indirect injection are the three petrol engines that the Q2 will feature with as well as 1.6-litre four cylinder turbo and two specs of the 2.0-litre turbo diesel engines. Audi has also played around with the idea of a hybrid power-plant for the Q2 but not in the near future.

As its underpinning is similar to that of the Skoda Octavia and the VW Golf, the Q2 has a 2.6m wheelbase with short front and rear overhangs. Audi has worked on a new look of their single-frame grille while making use of steel instead of composites for the body panels. Audi hasn’t skimped on the interiors front too. The traditional Virtual Cockpit, found in the TT, R8, Q7 and the A4, comes standard on the car with an option of HUD with an adjustable glass screen.

The Audi MMI screen comes in two size options depending on the vehicle trim which sports navigation, entertainment as well as Wi-Fi hotspot, Audi Connect for smartphones and vehicle setup details. The interface also has Apple Car Play as well as Android Auto systems in the Q2 for iOS and Android smartphones. The top-end variant of the Q2 will get an option of a 750-Watt, 14-speaker Bang & Olfusen sound system.

The Q2 has been designed for a more city-based driving experience and hence has a boot space of 400-litres. The 40:20:40 split rear seats can be folded down for a larger boot whose lid can be operated via a button present on the tailgate as well as the key.

The Q2 comes laden with techno gadgetry from the bigger Audi vehicles, helping the car in the safety department. An autonomous pre-sense front brake comes as a standard feature which helps the car sense pedestrians and other vehicles while it roams about in its natural habitat — the city. Another neat feature is the radar cruise control which allows the vehicle autonomous control for speed up to 65kmph. The car is able to self park itself in parallel as well as 90-degree car parking conditions.