Designed with American Football Players in Mind

Audi's First SUV in the Premium Compact SegmentAudi "Q2"has been unveiled. "We built this with the intention of young people driving it as much as possible," said an Audi AG development representative from Ingolstadt, Germany. Perhaps most surprising was the venue, set up in a corner of Zurich Airport, adorned with graffiti.

One of the Audi Q2's greatest appeals is undoubtedly its youthful styling. The new grille design is combined with chrome-accented air dams. With a length of 4.19 meters and a height of 1.51 meters, the body presents a slightly tall, SUV-like proportion.

Polygons are the Design Theme for the Q2

On the side of the body, the sharp edge of the character line below the windows is distinctive.

"For the styling, we focused on strength. The image we had in mind was that of an American football player: shoulders broadened by pads, with a helmeted head perched atop. We finalized the design with that in mind," explained Jens Kothnig, who was in charge of Q2 product development management.

Looking at the side profile, the body panel below the shoulder line, known as the shoulder line in technical terms, is deeply sculpted. This is reminiscent of the new generation electric vehicle concept, unveiled in 2015 with a "2018 launch" target,Audi "e-tron quattro concept"Does this signify a new era for Audi design starting with the Q2? The designers at the test drive event neither confirmed nor denied this.

It appears the Q2 will be introduced in Japan starting with a 1-liter model.

Surprisingly Good Performance

The Audi Q2 is scheduled for launch in Japan in 2017. The confirmed initial model is the 1.0 TFSI with a 1-liter engine, a front-wheel-drive model equipped with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Shortly after, a 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine model, the 1.4 TFSI, also front-wheel-drive with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, is expected to join the lineup.

The Audi Q2 1.0 TFSI is powered by a 999cc three-cylinder unit. The basic architecture of the cylinders and block is the same as that used in theVolkswagen "up!"model introduced in Japan, but it features turbocharging for the Q2. It produces a maximum output of 85 kW (116 ps) and a peak torque of 200 Nm. As mentioned earlier, the Japanese specification is planned to be paired with a 7-speed twin-clutch transmission. Unfortunately, this transmission was not available for the test drive near Zurich, so we tested the 6-speed manual transmission.

The long roof spoiler contributes to a drag coefficient of 0.30.

A ground clearance of 15 cm is cited for its off-road capability.

The Q2 1.0 TFSI proved to be a surprisingly capable car. Some of the Japanese journalists accompanying me on this test drive in Zurich expressed concerns about insufficient power, but I found it thoroughly enjoyable.

Firstly, the feel of the gear shift is excellent. The gates are nicely spaced, and the travel is short. It offers a precise feel, allowing for gear changes without large arm movements. The clutch also has a short travel, making it easy to adapt to downshifts. Although it won't be available in Japan, so I can't delve too deeply into its impressions here, the gear ratios for 2nd and 3rd gears are not too far apart, making it a fun model to drive.

The front features eye-catching polygonal air dams.

Instead of a rear quarter window, there is a decorative panel called a "blade."

When driving on winding roads, the lightness of the nose contributes to excellent steering feel. Typically, I would use 2nd gear, and then shift to 3rd while accelerating on straights. This was sufficient to keep pace with the 1.4-liter models. Downshifts are also quick, thanks to the short gear travel and the relatively shallow clutch pedal.

The suspension is supple, providing a comfortable ride even at high speeds. The effective torque seems to arrive above 3,000 rpm, but it feels sufficient for the 1.2-ton vehicle. On the highway, cruising at 2,000 rpm in 6th gear allows for smooth and effortless progress.

I wonder how the 7-speed dual-clutch model, which will be released later, will perform. With an additional gear, it's likely the transmission will be set up to better utilize the torque band. Personally, I believe it would be even better if equipped with Audi's drive select, allowing for different driving modes.

The 1.4-liter version was surprisingly powerful.

The 1.4 TFSI Feels Like a Different Car from the 1.0 TFSI

The Audi Q2 1.4 TFSI is positioned as a mid-range model within the Q2 lineup, sitting between the 1.0 TFSI mentioned earlier and the 2.0 TFSI above it. However, for a vehicle of this size, it offers more than enough power, feeling exceptionally strong. It's almost overwhelmingly potent.

Based on the MQB transverse engine platform,Audi "A3"the Q2 shares the same wheelbase as the 3-door Audi A3. The 1,394cc four-cylinder engine produces a maximum output of 110 kW (150 ps) and a peak torque of 250 Nm. It also features the COD (Cylinder on Demand) system, where the camshaft switches and valves close on two cylinders during low-load situations like highway cruising, effectively deactivating them.

The Audi Virtual Cockpit is available as an option.

Various front seat styles are available depending on the specification.

It appears this model will also be front-wheel-drive upon its introduction in Japan. The 1.4 TFSI is fast. It feels particularly different when switching from the 1.0 TFSI. With peak torque available from 1,500 rpm, it delivers power readily with even slight pressure on the accelerator pedal. Mid-range acceleration is also sharp.

The steering wheel has a satisfying weight; while it feels slightly heavy at low speeds, it offers a solid, confidence-inspiring feel when driving spiritedly on winding roads at higher speeds. The suspension is set up slightly firmer, which likely contributes to its strong performance characteristics.

The rear seats offer ample space for two adults.

Luggage capacity is 405 liters.

Audi's marketing strategy for the Q2 seems to target younger buyers, for whom the 1.0 TFSI would be suitable. However, for those who desire the substantial feel of a German car, the 1.4 TFSI appears to be an excellent choice. While the interior offers interesting styling elements like contrasting color accents (such as red lower dashboard panels) and ambient LED lighting, the defining characteristic remains Audi's signature solid build quality and refined heft. Despite the emphasis on the youth market in advertising, with graffiti-style logos, a design as bold as the up! might have been even more compelling.

Scheduled for introduction in Japan in 2017, Audi Japan is aiming for a price around 3 million yen for the base model. Regardless of age, anyone drawn to its dynamic styling should find satisfaction. The Audi Q2 is a car that scores highly across the board, delivering a genuinely enjoyable driving experience.