If the Audi R8 supercar could be called a beast, by the same token, the SQ2 small sports utility vehicle, by the German maker, surely earns the title little devil. The figures speak for themselves.
The R8 quattro serves up 449 kW and 560 Nm, launching the car from rest to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds, the SQ2 quattro 221 kW and 400 Nm, a tad over a second slower.
Unremarkably, cost is $395,000 (R8) against $64,400 (SQ2), plus on-roads, but who’s counting? With a worldwide shift to SUVs, after some years on sale in Europe, Audi has taken the opportunity to launch a refreshed version of the performance compact in Australia.
Outside of the R8, Audis with an ‘S’ in the model designation are generally accepted to have something special and the SQ2 is no exception, as the figures above illustrate.
It’s all down to a 2.0-litre TFSI engine, mated with a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission and Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive, plus sport suspension and progressive steering to ensure performance is up to sporting scratch for a compact SUV.
STYLING
Up front the SQ2 eschews modern-day sports utility vehicle matt black radiator grille for a highly decorative pattern of shiny metallic swirls and straight lines, flanked by Matrix LED headlamps, dynamic indicators and large geometric air intakes.
Side on, the car maintains SUV status quo with square proportions from bonnet to boot, the only concession to crossover coupe styling being a shallow dip of the roof approaching the C-pillar.
Nothing can compare with the bling of the front, except maybe the red brake calipers lurking behind five double-spoke V-style 19-inch alloy wheels and double twin chrome-tipped exhaust tips poking from under the rear bumper.
INTERIOR
The cabin is straight out of the Audi performance car playbook. Front occupants are firmly welcomed by heated sport seats in Nappa leather with ‘S’ embossed black upholstery.
The ‘S’ logo is repeated on the three-spoke leather wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifts and multifunction buttons. The 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit with S-specific display has a configurable information display, while an 8.3-inch dash-mounted screen features MMI navigation plus, smartphone interface for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB digital radio and Audi Drive Select info.
INFOTAINMENT
Occupants can be entertained via a Bang & Olufsen Premium sound system, featuring 14 hi-fi speakers outputting a total of 705 Watts. Wireless phone charging is a convenient fixture.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
Four cylinders in line add up to 1.984 litres developing maximum power of 221 kW between 5300 and 6500 rpm and peak torque of 400 Nm from 2000 to 5200 revs on premium unleaded petrol.
Power is put to ground through a seven-speed S tronic transmission and Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system.
SAFETY
The SQ2 features the Audi Pre-Sense basic system, with adaptive cruise control with stop/go, active lane assist and side assist (blind spot alert).
Also included are Pre-Sense City, with autonomous emergency braking and pedestrian and cyclist detection. Also on hand is Parking System Plus, front and rear, with rear view camera and park assist.
DRIVING
At the heart of the SQ2 performance is the 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder motor, capable of delivering peak power of 221 kW at 5300 rpm, with 400 Nm of torque on tap between 2000 and 5200 revs.
Over a longish-term with the test vehicle taking on conditions ranging from shuffling through heavy city traffic to motorway cruising and lung-busting acceleration on country twists and turns, the engine coped well, growling only when pushed.
Long-term fuel consumption worked out at around 10 litres per 100 kilometres compared with makers combined claim of 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres.
Audi Drive Select gave the driver a chance to match the car with his moods at the flick of a switch on the dashboard and its connection to a centre-console knob.
Needless to say, Efficient mode dumbed down acceleration, while softening the ride to almost soporific standards. Comfort and Automatic dialled up power, plus stiffer ride and handling, while Dynamic sharpened the lot enough for a teeth-rattling ride on even slightly irregular road surfaces.
Individual mode defied deeper investigation due to lack of time with the car and the absence of a track with a clear run. Absence of a head-up display was noted.
Leg room in the rear could be cramped with a tall driver in front. The boxy exterior makes for ample head room in the cabin. Boot space is on the slim side (355 litres, with the floor at its lowest) but there’s added convenience loading and unloading with a power tailgate, whose opening can be programmed for height to prevent tall owners bumping themselves.
SUMMARY
Which motoring enthusiast would not be tempted by Audi’s devilish little compact SQ2? The 60K-plus price tag may be a stumbling block for some, but you do get a lot of kit for the price. These days a three-year warranty seems a bit stingy.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
Audi SQ2 $64,400
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Audi dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (Audi SQ2 2.0 TFSI quattro 4-cylinder turbo-petrol, 7sp automatic, AWD)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.984 litres
Configuration: Four cylinders in line
Maximum Power: 221 kW @ 5300-6500 rpm
Maximum Torque: 400 Nm @ 2000-5200 rpm
Fuel Type: Premium unleaded petrol 98 RON
Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 7.7 L/100km
CO2 emissions 176 g / km
DRIVELINE: Seven-speed automatic, quattro all-wheel drive
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4216 mm
Wheelbase: 2594 mm
Width: 1802 mm
Height: 1445 mm
Turning Circle: 11.1 metres
Kerb Mass: 1535 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 55 litres
BRAKES:
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Disc
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years / unlimited kilometres
AUDI SQ2 – A LITTLE TEMPTATION GOES A LONG WAY
If the Audi R8 supercar could be called a beast, by the same token, the SQ2 small sports utility vehicle, by the German maker, surely earns the title little devil. The figures speak for themselves.
The R8 quattro serves up 449 kW and 560 Nm, launching the car from rest to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds, the SQ2 quattro 221 kW and 400 Nm, a tad over a second slower.
Unremarkably, cost is $395,000 (R8) against $64,400 (SQ2), plus on-roads, but who’s counting? With a worldwide shift to SUVs, after some years on sale in Europe, Audi has taken the opportunity to launch a refreshed version of the performance compact in Australia.
Outside of the R8, Audis with an ‘S’ in the model designation are generally accepted to have something special and the SQ2 is no exception, as the figures above illustrate.
It’s all down to a 2.0-litre TFSI engine, mated with a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission and Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive, plus sport suspension and progressive steering to ensure performance is up to sporting scratch for a compact SUV.
STYLING
Up front the SQ2 eschews modern-day sports utility vehicle matt black radiator grille for a highly decorative pattern of shiny metallic swirls and straight lines, flanked by Matrix LED headlamps, dynamic indicators and large geometric air intakes.
Side on, the car maintains SUV status quo with square proportions from bonnet to boot, the only concession to crossover coupe styling being a shallow dip of the roof approaching the C-pillar.
Nothing can compare with the bling of the front, except maybe the red brake calipers lurking behind five double-spoke V-style 19-inch alloy wheels and double twin chrome-tipped exhaust tips poking from under the rear bumper.
INTERIOR
The cabin is straight out of the Audi performance car playbook. Front occupants are firmly welcomed by heated sport seats in Nappa leather with ‘S’ embossed black upholstery.
The ‘S’ logo is repeated on the three-spoke leather wrapped steering wheel with paddle shifts and multifunction buttons. The 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit with S-specific display has a configurable information display, while an 8.3-inch dash-mounted screen features MMI navigation plus, smartphone interface for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, DAB digital radio and Audi Drive Select info.
INFOTAINMENT
Occupants can be entertained via a Bang & Olufsen Premium sound system, featuring 14 hi-fi speakers outputting a total of 705 Watts. Wireless phone charging is a convenient fixture.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
Four cylinders in line add up to 1.984 litres developing maximum power of 221 kW between 5300 and 6500 rpm and peak torque of 400 Nm from 2000 to 5200 revs on premium unleaded petrol.
Power is put to ground through a seven-speed S tronic transmission and Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system.
SAFETY
The SQ2 features the Audi Pre-Sense basic system, with adaptive cruise control with stop/go, active lane assist and side assist (blind spot alert).
Also included are Pre-Sense City, with autonomous emergency braking and pedestrian and cyclist detection. Also on hand is Parking System Plus, front and rear, with rear view camera and park assist.
DRIVING
At the heart of the SQ2 performance is the 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder motor, capable of delivering peak power of 221 kW at 5300 rpm, with 400 Nm of torque on tap between 2000 and 5200 revs.
Over a longish-term with the test vehicle taking on conditions ranging from shuffling through heavy city traffic to motorway cruising and lung-busting acceleration on country twists and turns, the engine coped well, growling only when pushed.
Long-term fuel consumption worked out at around 10 litres per 100 kilometres compared with makers combined claim of 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres.
Audi Drive Select gave the driver a chance to match the car with his moods at the flick of a switch on the dashboard and its connection to a centre-console knob.
Needless to say, Efficient mode dumbed down acceleration, while softening the ride to almost soporific standards. Comfort and Automatic dialled up power, plus stiffer ride and handling, while Dynamic sharpened the lot enough for a teeth-rattling ride on even slightly irregular road surfaces.
Individual mode defied deeper investigation due to lack of time with the car and the absence of a track with a clear run. Absence of a head-up display was noted.
Leg room in the rear could be cramped with a tall driver in front. The boxy exterior makes for ample head room in the cabin. Boot space is on the slim side (355 litres, with the floor at its lowest) but there’s added convenience loading and unloading with a power tailgate, whose opening can be programmed for height to prevent tall owners bumping themselves.
SUMMARY
Which motoring enthusiast would not be tempted by Audi’s devilish little compact SQ2? The 60K-plus price tag may be a stumbling block for some, but you do get a lot of kit for the price. These days a three-year warranty seems a bit stingy.
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
Audi SQ2 $64,400
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact your local Audi dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (Audi SQ2 2.0 TFSI quattro 4-cylinder turbo-petrol, 7sp automatic, AWD)
ENGINE:
Capacity: 1.984 litres
Configuration: Four cylinders in line
Maximum Power: 221 kW @ 5300-6500 rpm
Maximum Torque: 400 Nm @ 2000-5200 rpm
Fuel Type: Premium unleaded petrol 98 RON
Combined Fuel Cycle (ADR 81/02): 7.7 L/100km
CO2 emissions 176 g / km
DRIVELINE: Seven-speed automatic, quattro all-wheel drive
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4216 mm
Wheelbase: 2594 mm
Width: 1802 mm
Height: 1445 mm
Turning Circle: 11.1 metres
Kerb Mass: 1535 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 55 litres
BRAKES:
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Disc
STANDARD WARRANTY:
Three years / unlimited kilometres
