Choose modern life, choose a Nutribullet, choose an iPad, iPhone, iWatch, choose a Fitbit, choose box sets and sushi, choose an Audi Q2 with leather interior, alloys, satnav and crash radar. In fact, definitely choose a Q2
Does your home have an iPad, a Nutribullet or a Fitbit? If so, you might like the lovely Audi Q2.
It’s Audi’s fourth SUV, alongside the Q7, Q5 and Q3.
The firm are selling the Q2 not just as a car but as a lifestyle accessory, much like the ones mentioned above.
Jon Zammet, of Audi, said: “This is the latest tool for modern living.
“People today are comfortable buying top- qual ity premium products for their homes and this is a top-quality and premium car.
“It is exciting and versatile and is going to capture the trend for vehicles like this because we believe it is the right car for the right time.”
Of course, people will always buy an Audi for the badge and what it says about their taste, so in that way it probably has always been a lifestyle choice.
But the company are now deliberately setting their cap at people whose homes and lives are peppered with modern “must-haves”.
Audi have spent a lot of time getting this car right, forecasting – probably correctly – that it is going to be a bestseller.
It is the smallest car in the range, a quality which they are at pains to emphasise does not diminish its Audi-esque build and engineering, design and performance.
Indeed, its size, they argue, is a benefit . They now have an entry-level compact premium SUV that people are going to love.
What is more, they have added the same tech and state-of-the-art systems already showcased in the likes of the Q7.
This is the aspirational car for the millennials who want an SUV, a badge and the kind of quality Audi are renowned for in design and engineering.
It is a good-looking car without being pretty, with nice lines along the sides, a bold radiator grille with the trademark four circles and a contrasting C pillar towards the rear.
Interiors come in various vibrant colours – think Vegas Yellow, Tango Red, Coral Orange.
Even the entry-level SE which I drove is well-finished, although you don’t get the fascia trim that comes further up the spec range.
Audi expect to sell only 10 per cent of the SE level. They predict 55 per cent of buyers will opt for the Sport trim and 35 per cent for the top S Line.
This means almost all buyers will choose a Q2 with Audi driving modes as standard, they will upgrade their alloys and nav system, opt for better safety systems and, if they want, they can go for some of the latest technology on the Q2, including a crash warning radar.
This SUV will come in a variety of petrol and diesel engines.
I drove the 1.6litre diesel with a manual box and it was extremely quiet but with a really decent push. It was positive and responsive around winding and narrow country roads.
However, Audi reckon that their bestseller will be the 1.4l petrol with the automatic box and, for my money, it really is a winner.
It was sprightly and lively, kicking out when needed and behaving impeccably in town. It has the kind of verve you expect from an Audi, as well as the performance.
There wi l l also be a one- litre three- cylinder job coming along, which should be incredibly frugal.
Half of all Audi sales are now SUVs so the company are not going to want to miss with this one and, having driven it, I don’t think they have.
Zammet added: “We would not have built this car this way and this size if our research had not stacked up.”
The Q2 is coming to a salesroom near you this month.