Gorgeously Distinctive
Introduction: The Audi Q2 is a polygonal stunner and easily attracted much curb appeal when I was cruising through the beautiful suburbs of Westville, proud and alone. When taking pics of this gorgeous, yet distinctive chunk of solid car, it became apparent that I had no idea what was meant by the numbering and letters on the rear of the Audi vehicles. So, without further ado, let me explain. The TFSI part stands for 'Turbo Fuel Stratified Injection'. It is the name Audi has given to its petrol engines, which use an innovative petrol engine technology. If it is a diesel then its TDi, standing for, “Turbo Diesel Injection” If it is a plug-in hybrid then it will be TFSI e and if fully electric it is labelled “e-tron.” The numbers represent the power output of the cars, ranging from 25 to 70, and going up in increments of 5, meaning the bigger the engine, the bigger the number.
Engine/ Economy/ Drive/ Comfort: The 35 TFSI is powered by a 1.4 Liter petrol engine, produces 110 kW and 250 Nm of torque to the front wheels. I was super impressed by the 7-speed automatic transmission which felt silky smooth all the way to number 7. Audi claim a 6.1 Liter per 100 kms but I managed 8, due to some stringent hot in the city pedal flooring, trying to beat the 0 to 100 km/hr claimed time of 8.8 seconds. I could not but can see where the Q2 really comes into its own, which was between the 60 km/hr and 100 km/hr mark where it surprised me with its gutsy performance. I am sure that most would agree that speed, cornering, steering, shocks, and safety go together like the Springboks and the RWC, so what was fantastic to have, and feel was the standard progressive steering system. A variable steering ratio based on steering angle as well as speed-dependent steering assistance, takes the driving experience to another level. This system, coupled with the electronic damper control which essentially enhances the suspension, thanks to adaptive shock absorbers which adjust to different driving situations, offers an incredible driving experience. The Q2 which I drove had luxurious black Nappa leather making for a comfortable and plush experience behind the wheel which added to my over all feeling of this car, to be that of simply wonderful.
Features: All the basic standard features one would expect at this price range from the Audi stable, with an array of optional extras to choose from. Audis smart phone interface enables Apple car play and Android Auto, but I never set mine up, electric side mirrors, high level brake light, remote central locking, PDC rear, multi-functional steering wheel, light sensor on/off, rain sensor, voice command, Bluetooth, air-conditioning.
Optional extras include: Park Assist semi-autonomous parking, Hill-hold, Heated folding memory side mirrors with auto-dimming, Tinted rear glass, 10-speaker stereo, Heated front seats, Auto-dimming interior mirror, Premium plus package; 19-inch alloy wheels, Matrix LED headlights, Auto high-beam, Black exterior design pack; Additional body-colour coding, Panoramic glass sunroof, Electric tailgate
Interior/ Exterior/ Boot: I loved the interior feel and general ambience of this vehicle. It looks robust inside and out and the human factors engineering aspect draws down not only on functionality but also does an excellent job with aesthetics and logic. The strong and spirited body lines hug the Q2 like stripes to a zebra and the front and back, pack a punch to the eye, worthy of another look. The 405 Liters of luggage space is more than enough to accommodate daily shopping commuted and those long awaited annual or weekend holidays!
Price/ Warranty/ Service Plan/ Service intervals: R612400, 5 years / 100 000 kms or unlimited (not sure), 5 years, 15000 kms – Please contact Audi for complete accuracy of the plans.
In Summary: Do I love the Q2? Yes, over and over again. It is a great car with zest, panache, and presence. If you are looking for a compact crossover SUV with a smidgen of good old-fashioned luxury and a quality ride, then look no further than the Q2. And with a whopping 200 mm ground clearance you can be sure that you and your car will settle into both town and country life equally well!
*This article is written in my opinion only. For detailed information on the specs, please contact Audi SA*
