Enhancement of the S model that first brought sub-five-second acceleration potential to the Audi Q family’s singularly stylish lead-in SUV two years ago has also taken place beneath the skin.
The cabin now benefits from additional equipment, improved infotainment and web-based Audi connect functionality and an expanded portfolio of driver assistance systems.
As is the case with all S models, the interior of the SQ21 is dominated by dark tones and high-quality surfaces. The headlining is designed in black and the door panels feature a new material that is pleasant to touch. The pedal caps and the footrest are made of stainless steel and the illuminated door sill trims sport S logos. The display shows S-specific start screens when the ignition is switched on.
All equipment in the sportiest Q2 model is bundled in packages; there are four packages for the upholstery and colors. Customers can choose from a combination of fabric and leather (standard), pure fine Nappa leather – with a rhombus pattern as an option – and a mixture of leather and the microfiber material Dinamica, which is replacing Alcantara.
It looks and feels like suede but consists mainly of recycled polyester, which is sourced from textiles and PET bottles, for example. Accent stripes and contrasting stitching adorn the seats. They are available in rock gray, black, and magma red. The optional backlit trim strip constitutes a major exception in the segment.
The compact SQ2 comes with the Audi pre sense front safety system as standard. This system can contribute to preventing potential accidents involving pedestrians, cyclists, or other vehicles in front of the car or reducing their severity.
The adaptive cruise assist, which can help the driver in many situations with accelerating, decelerating, and steering within the lane, is a new addition to the optional systems. In order to maintain lateral guidance, the driver only needs to touch the capacitive steering wheel gently, which is part of the system, to prove that they are paying attention.
In combination with the camera-based traffic sign recognition, the adaptive cruise assist ensures that the car decelerates in certain situations, for example when approaching speed limits and town signs. As soon as the restricted area ends, it accelerates the SQ2 again. The park assist is another optional system. It steers the sports SUV into and out of parking spaces automatically.
The 2.0-litre TFSI engine powering the new generation SQ2 draws its 300PS output and makes peak torque of 400Nm of torque.
The turbocharged four-cylinder always responds keenly to throttle inputs, and its sound becomes fuller as speed increases thanks in part to the switchable flaps in the exhaust system.
The key figures it delivers speak for themselves: 0 to 100kph in 4.9 seconds, and a top speed of 250kph. Average fuel consumption is 7.7l/100km.
Presales of the revised SQ2 will start shortly in Germany and other European countries. Deliveries are scheduled to start at the beginning of 2021. The prices in Germany start at €45,700 (RM223,000 including VAT).
