While we have not properly become conscious that Audi Q2 has arrived, hot version has been seen testing on Nürburgring without camouflage. The regular model was revealed at Geneva Auto Show this year, but dealers are still looking at an empty place in showrooms reserved for 2018 Audi SQ2 , as it has not yet arrived there. So, as buyers are still just making orders, already we can see spiced up version in serious testing. As zero camouflage is concerned, let us say that it is not that hard to predict future styling on Audi models and they didn’t bother to hide it from us this time.
WHAT IT WILL BRING
Definitely more power than top 190 hp in existing 2.0-liter petrol and diesel engines. By looking at pictures now we don’t know how exactly powerful it will be, nor there is any official information, but if we employ mere logic, it will probably have S3’s 2.0 TFSI engine.
This one is capable of developing 310 hp and 295 pound-feet of torque; since it is already stealing A3’s interior and other bits and pieces, this is the best guess. Mentioned unit push S3 from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds, but we should probably add few tenses for SQ2. As usual for Germans, top speed will be limited to 155 mph.
STYLING CHANGES
No camouflage has just let us see what is changed from the regular version. Unfortunately not much, and unsurprisingly since it is Audi we are talking about. At front air dam below the grille and air inlets are bigger, at the side rear panel is black as the roof is too, and for the rear, the diffuser is larger and also a number of exhaust pipes, there is four of them now.
Model spotted testing had black coloring for grille and air inlets, but when it hits showrooms, it will definitely be in the traditional silver finish. Nobody expected to see Countryman’s John Cooper Works body kit, but Audi would benefit from investing more in styling and make it more distinctive from the regular model.
CABIN CHANGES
Spy shots are currently telling us absolutely nothing about the cabin, but again with some high degree of certainty, we know what to expect. So, new sports seats with adjustable side section and integrated headrests, flat-bottom steering wheel, brushed aluminum parts and SQ2 logos are to be expected.
Same “not much” feel exist as for exterior, but brutal build quality, driving position and business elegance just don’t allow you to feel anything negative about it.
2018 Audi SQ2 PRICE
Hard to talk about it at this point, since the price for the regular model is not yet know in details. If we try to estimate, Q2 should be around $29,000, so we can expect for the hotter version to be something like $34,000 which will touch price tag of its bigger brother Q3. Anyway, it shouldn’t be viewed as too much because of extra fun that it will bring.
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SO?
Audi has been first from German trio to venture into the mini-SUV segment, so there is no real competition from traditional rivals, although we can compare it to the Mini Countryman which is unquestionably premium model too. So SQ2 will also not have direct competitors as it hits the stage, while mentioned Countryman in John Cooper Works layout feel underpowered compared to it and same goes for Nissan Juke Nismo which is also missing premium designation. The future looks pretty bright for SQ2 from this point of time.
