By Derek Ogden, Marque Motoring
It’s taken a long time, but Australia has finally caught up with the Audi SQ2 pocket rocket sports utility vehicle. 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 Down Under.
Audis with an ‘S’ prefix in the model designation are generally accepted to have something special and the SQ2 is no exception. How does zero to a hundred kays in 4.9 seconds sound?
It’s all down to a 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engine, mated with a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission and the maker’s famed quattro all-wheel drive. Plus, sport suspension and progressive steering to ensure performance is up to sporting scratch for a compact SUV.
And what’s the price of this driving experience, as I did over an all-too-brief week with the super-SUV. It’s $64,400 when you take in on-road costs.
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 exhaust tips poking from under the rear bumper.
INTERIOR
The cabin is straight off the Audi performance car shelf. 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 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine, capable of delivering peak power of 221 kW at 5300 rpm, and 400 Nm of torque between 2000 and 5200 revs.
The test vehicle, taking on conditions ranging from crawling through heavy city traffic to motorway cruising and lung-busting acceleration on country twists and turns, performed up to par. The engine growled menacingly only when pushed.
Long-term fuel consumption worked out at around 10 litres per 100 kilometres compared with the maker’s combined claim of 7.7 litres per 100 kilometres. Hmm.
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.
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 sub-par road surfaces.
Individual mode defied deeper investigation due to the absence of a track with a clear run. A head-up display was missing and noted.
Leg room in the rear was cramped with a tall driver in front. But the boxy exterior made 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.
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. And Audi has finally come to the party with a five-year warranty.
