Brand’s smallest SUV gets more attitude with 300hp of four-wheel-drive performance.
Ah, the Q2 on steroids…
After being available on the market with regular petrol and diesel engines, the Audi Q2 has been revealed with a new performance-oriented engine.
The so-called SQ2 employs a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol-turbo developing 300hp and 400Nm, the latter achieved between 2,000-5,200rpm.
Power of the engine, which can rev to 6,500rpm, is transmitted to all four wheels via seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.
Audi says the SQ2 can accelerate from 0-100kph in 4.8sec before topping out at 250kph. To cope with the increased performance, the SQ2 gets 20mm lower suspension, beefed-up brakes and 18/19-inch wheel options.
Audi has only issued one official picture of the SQ2 so far ahead of its debut in Paris next week, although it says the interior has been adorned with S-specific accents.
Its rivals are also turning to hot four-cylinder engines, right?
That’s right, as BMW and Mercedes-AMG have recently revealed the X2 M35i and A35, both with 306hp 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol-turbo engines and all-wheel-drive hardware.
But because the X2 is from a class above and slightly larger than the Q2 in size, it is 0.1sec slower from 0-100kph.
The A35, too, is a normal hatchback explaining why it’s a tenth-of-a-second faster than the SQ2 over that acceleration test. Maybe the next-gen GLA SUV with this “35” treatment is a more suitable match.
But broadly speaking, this trio of premium brands is upping the race with four-cylinder engines. Mind, though, this isn’t the pinnacle of their respective model ranges yet.
While a properly fast RS Q2 or X2 M have yet to be made, AMG has already applied the “45” performance strata to its range of small cars like the A45, GLA45 and CLA45.
Will Audi sell the SQ2 in Thailand?
Sources says chances are quite slim because people in Thailand usually don’t expect big performance in SUV packages. That’s why the Thai BMW office is reportedly shying away from sales of the X2 M35i.
However, Mercedes has been selling the 45-badged models for quite some time in the country with prices in the four million baht range.
As well, the Thai office is now planning to bring the A35 next year with circa-three million baht prices.
