The car Audi named “Q1” in the brand’s press literature as recently as May this year, is now reportedly going to be called the Q2.
The news comes from Indian Autos Blog, as when they asked Audi R&D chief Ulrich Hackenberg about when will Ingolstadt present the production Q1, he replied, “You’re talking about the (Audi) Q2. We’ll present it in Geneva” next March.
If true, Audi must have come to some sort of agreement with the Fiat Chrysler Automobile group that owned the rights to both the Q2 and Q4 names.
Back to the Q2, as we’re calling it for now, it will be the fourth and smallest model in an exponentially growing range of crossovers and SUVs for Audi.
It’s a sub-compact model, but instead of using the older Audi A1 / VW Polo platform, the Germans built it on a shorter wheelbase version of the MQB chassis, sharing a number of components with the bigger 2017 VW Tiguan, and consequently, the next iteration of the Audi Q3 (which will take advantage of the Q2’s presence to grow in size), including suspension bits and electronics.
The engines that will power the Q2 are a range of three- and four-cylinder petrols, and four-cylinder diesels. These are believed to include an entry-level 1.0-liter three-cylinder turbocharged petrol with 95PS (94hp), a 1.4-liter TFSI petrol, 1.6-liter diesels and possibly even the S1’s 228hp 2.0-liter turbo-four for a warmer SQ1 derivative. Six-speed manuals or seven speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions will drive the front or all-four wheels in the Q2.
Viewed here in a tightly wrapped camo and missing a production front grille, the tall-riding Q2 sports a familiar Audi SUV profile with a rounded rear – it kind of reminds us of a smaller Q3 with a newer, Q7-style fascia.
Audi said that sales in Europe will start next spring, with North American availability being unknown at this point.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops
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