Test drive Audi Q2: Mr. Q

The time has come Audi Q2 to undergo a full road test program for motor moto and sports

It's time for the Audi Q2 to go through a full program of automotive and sports testing for the first time. While colleagues are placing cones along the test track and setting up the measuring equipment, we have a little more time to get a closer look at what the smallest Q-model from Ingolstadt has to offer. The Q4,19 at 2 meters is about 20 centimeters shorter than the Q3, the A3 Sportback is also 13 centimeters longer. And yet, although the taillights strongly resemble the Polo, our car at least does not look like a representative of the small class, it has a rather long wheelbase, and the rear track is 27 mm wider than, for example, the A3. Not-so-wide rear doors are easy to get through, and rear seat space is surprisingly generous – in terms of second-row passenger legroom, the Q2 even outperforms the Q3 in concept. In addition, rear passengers like the very comfortable rear seat, which splits and folds in a 40:20:40 ratio. If you fold only the middle part, you get a full-fledged four-seater with a convenient niche for loading sports equipment. or oversized baggage. Looking for gimmicks for more flexibility, such as a horizontally adjustable rear seat, is futile. At long distances, the location of the child seat hooks on the rear seats is unfortunate, as they tend to irritate the rear of the passengers.

More affordable than the A3 Sportback

Considering its compact external dimensions, the nominal cargo volume of 405 is pleasantly surprising, and access to it is also relatively convenient. Various nets, side niches for small items, as well as an additional "cache" under the main boot bottom provide good functionality. Practical solution: The movable bottom can be locked in the raised position to keep your hands free when loading and unloading. Two very bright LED lights take care of the lighting in the luggage compartment.

The interior of the Q2, typical of newer Audi models, features a large, high-contrast TFT screen that replaces the traditional controls. As long as you want, the graphics of the navigation system can take up the main place and thus the investment in the proposed Head-up option can be saved. We say this because, due to space considerations, Audi chose a relatively simple solution in which the readings are projected onto a small glass surface of the dashboard rather than onto the windshield, which is definitely inferior to the classic technology of this type.

The interior of the model liked the high seating position typical for SUVs (the front seats are set 8 centimeters higher than the A3), large space for items and almost impeccable quality. Why almost? The short answer is that since the Q2 is an idea less expensive than the A3 Sportback, it saves on materials in some places, which shows up in some plastic parts on the inside of the doors or on the glove box, which doesn't have a soft inside. your country.

However, while we are looking at the joints, plastics and surfaces - our colleagues are ready, the training ground is in front of us and it's time to go. 150 HP TDI engine positioned between the 1,6-liter base diesel with 116 hp. and the maximum power of the two-liter engine, which has 190 hp. The middle of the three TDI engines is the ideal solution for this small SUV, which weighed around 1,5 tons with full equipment and dual transmission.

Thanks to the Quattro system, 150 horsepower is transferred to the road without loss, and acceleration from standstill to 100 km / h takes just 8,6 seconds. Even with an overtly uneconomical driving style, the TDI engine was satisfied with an average fuel consumption of 6,9 liters per 100 km for most of the test. If you're a little more careful with your right foot, you can easily reach five to the decimal point of value. The fact is that the model is slightly more economical than the Skoda Yeti with 150 hp. This is mainly due to the low consumption, which is only 0,30 at Audi, as well as the seven-speed transmission with two wet clutches, which is installed in versions with a maximum torque of over 320 Newton meters. Its seventh gear works almost downhill and maintains impressively low revs: at 100 km / h, the engine is running at just under 1500 rpm. In ECO mode, when the throttle is released, the Q2 uses a split power path, or more simply, coasting. The start-stop system is also tuned for maximum economy and shuts off the engine at speeds below 7 km / h.

And yet this Audi has something else of its economical, pragmatic and sensible side: thanks to the standard progressive steering, which automatically becomes more straightforward as the steering angle is increased, the compact dual-drive vehicle delivers true pleasure from every turn on the road. ... its precise behavior and slight lateral tilt. Another advantage of the variable steering system is that the small Q never feels uncomfortable or nervous and, despite its modest size, exhibits extremely stable straight-line motion.

Safe driving

In road tests, the Q2 didn't throw up any nasty surprises - it's predictable, easy to learn, and doesn't show a tendency to be capricious. The fact that the feeling of agility is not at its peak is mainly due to the fact that the stability system cannot be completely ruled out. Even in the "ESP off" mode, braking in the border mode is more than noticeable. At 56,9 km/h, the Q2 is in the mid-range in slalom – here the A3 Sportback 2.0 TDI is 7,6 km/h faster.

However, we are confident that the proposed dynamics will be quite sufficient for most of the target audience that the model is aimed at, moreover, that comfort is also good: adaptive shock absorbers very professionally absorb sharp bumps without staggering. to an unpleasant swaying on undulating asphalt. On bad roads, the high torsional stability of the body makes a particularly strong impression - unpleasant noises are completely absent. A sense of calmness during the trip is also facilitated by excellent brakes, the effect of which practically does not weaken even under long loads. Noise levels in the cabin are pleasantly low.

Q2 does not allow itself significant weaknesses. Compact SUVs are in higher demand now than ever before, so success seems to be guaranteed.

Text: Dirk Gulde

Photo: Hans-Dieter Zeifert

Evaluation

Audi Q2 2.0 TDI Quattro

The pragmatic Q2 combines the qualities of a manoeuvrable compact class model with a high seating position and good visibility, as well as comfort and efficiency without struggling with the typically heavy weight of a classic SUV.

technical details

Audi Q2 2.0 TDI Quattro
Working volume	1968 cc cm
Power	110 kW (150 hp) at 3500 rpm
Maximum torque	340 Nm at 1750 rpm
Acceleration 0-100 km / h	8,6 with
Braking distances at a speed of 100 km / h	35,0 m
full speed	209 km / h
Average consumption fuel in the test	6,9 l / 100 km
Base Price	69 153 levov