Audi Q2 2017 News

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) has released results from its latest round of safety testing, with models from Audi, Mini and Skoda picking up the maximum five-star rating.

Jaguar has laid claim to the title of World Car of the Year with its high-riding F-Pace, as three SUV models occupied the top placings for 2017.

Audi chairman Rupert Stadler has confirmed that the German prestige brand will bolster its SUV range with the addition of Q4 and Q6 crossovers.

Lexus will return fire at the growing number of competitors in the compact coupe crossover segment.

Pricing for the incoming Audi Q2 small SUV has been announced ahead of its arrival Down Under before the end of the month.

Audi opens Q2 order books with pricing that undercuts all premium compact SUV rivals.

The mini-SUV sets the pace — watch for edgy polygons.

Audi's major Geneva unveiling was the production-ready Q2, a small urban SUV scheduled to reach Australia in about 12 months.It will be priced between Audi's larger Q3 SUV and the small A1 Sportback hatch, indicating a starting price well under $40,000 for the least expensive Q2.With its roof pillars wearing a customisable contrast colour and its edgy exterior style, the Q2 has the looks to stand out from the gathering crowd of small SUVs.Brand boss Rupert Stadler described it as a "city crossover" during his show presentation, while other Audi executives called it an "urban hipster" or "city SUV".There's no doubt Audi aims to attract customers who drive mainly in cities. Despite being destined to spend its life in the urban jungle, the Q2 is seemingly engineered for a real jungle. Its ground clearance is a useful 200mm, and some versions will come with Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive.The Q2 will have six engine options to cater to varying global preferences but the smaller and more efficient options are least likely to make it to Australia.The biggest engines are 2.0-litre turbo fours, one a petrol-burner and the other a diesel, both punching out peak power of 140kW.Q2s with these engines come standard with a seven-speed double-clutch automatic transmission and quattro.AWD is also an option with the turbo 1.4-litre petrol and low-power version of the turbo diesel, both with 110kW. Below these are a turbo 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol and a 1.6-litre turbo diesel four, both with 85kW delivered to the front wheels only.The Q2 employs the VW Group's versatile MQB set of components, which has been the basis of a bunch of quiet, light, fuel-efficient and fun models from VW, Skoda and Audi.Inside, the Q2 feels nearly as roomy for passengers as the Q3, though its 405L luggage compartment isn't quite as big. Cabin fitout is impressive, as usual from Audi.The brand's superb virtual cockpit will be an option. This replaces the usual instrument dials with a screen that can present information in a variety of driver-selectable formats.So far it's been only in bigger and dearer Audis such as the new A4 sedan, TT sportster and big Q7 SUV.The Q2 will have autonomous braking and Audi's lavish choice of infotainment and connectivity options.Snappily stylish and technically up to date, the Q2 is a way more attractive city SUV than Audi's dumpy and dull Q3.