These are the times we live in… Despite the good phase that hot hatches are going through, hot SUVs are beginning to be more and more numerous. THE Audi SQ2 is its newest member.
Unveiled at the last Paris Motor Show, we now have access to all the numbers and features that set the SQ2 apart from the more mundane Q2.
These are the numbers of the new flagship of the German model.
300
The number of horses available , courtesy of the well-known 2.0 TFSI inline four-cylinder, known from so many other models of the German brand and group. Weighing 150 kg, the flexibility of this unit promises to be high, thanks to the 400 Nm available in a wide range of revolutions, between 2000 rpm and 5200 rpm — the engine limiter only works at 6500 rpm.However, the Audi SQ2 promises reasonable consumption for such a powerful model: among the 7.0 and 7.2 l/100 km , which correspond CO2 emissions between the 159 and 163 g/km . As we have seen in numerous other supercharged engines, the SQ2 engine also does not get rid of having a particle filter to comply with all standards and protocols.
7
The number of speeds of the S Tronic double clutch gearbox . And also the speed, in km/h, at which the engine turns off — disengaging it — allowing a wider operation of the start-stop system, when we select the “efficiency” mode among the various driving modes — yes, highlight the efficiency in a performance-focused model.
As it should be in all Audi S models, the SQ2 is also a quattro, that is, the power is sent to the four wheels continuously, being able to send up to 100% of it to the rear axle.
The Audi SQ2 also comes equipped with a torque control system that, according to the brand, smoothes the dynamic behavior, with small interventions on the brakes on the wheels inside the curve, which have less load — basically, simulating the effect of a self-locking differential.
4.8
The action of the fast dual-clutch gearbox and the traction distributed by the “quattro” wheels could only result in the effective use of the 300 hp available — the Audi SQ2 hits 100 km/h in a respectable 4.8s . The maximum speed of 250 km/h is electronically limited.
20
The SUV's extra versatility in approaching surfaces other than asphalt is here reduced by… low ground clearance. It's minus 20 mm , courtesy of the S sport sports suspension, although Audi does not mention what other changes the suspension may have undergone.
However, there is a button that allows you to change the ESC (stability control) setting to… off-road(!).
Steering is progressive style and ground connection is provided by generously sized wheels: 235/45 and 18-inch wheels are standard, with an option for 19-inch wheels on 235/40 tires — in total there are 10 wheels available for SQ2.
To stop this fast hot SUV, Audi equipped the SQ2 with generous brake discs — 340 mm at the front and 310 mm at the rear — with black calipers, and optionally in red, to be personalized with the “S” symbol.
0.34
The Audi SQ2's styling is more muscular than the other Q2's — more generous aerodynamic appendages and larger wheels, for example — but it still has a very reasonable drag coefficient of just 0.34. Not bad considering it's an SUV, albeit compact.
More muscular. Singleframe front grille with new fill of eight double vertical bars, front splitter, and LED optics both front and rear.
12.3
As an option, the Audi SQ2 can see its instrument panel replaced by the 12.3″ of the Audi virtual cockpit , with the driver being able to control it via buttons on the sports steering wheel.
The Audi SQ2 has more than one infotainment system to choose from, with the MMI navigation plus with MMI touch on its top, consisting of an 8.3″ touchscreen, a touchpad, voice control; Wi-Fi hotspot among others. Of course, it also integrates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Inside, new items like sports seats (optionally in a mix Alcantara and leather, or Nappa), the instruments are in gray with white needles.
Complementing the multimedia system, we find a Bang & Olufsen sound system , with a 705 W amplifier and 14 speakers.
Of course, the Audi SQ2 also comes with various driving assistants, standard and optional, which include emergency autonomous braking, adaptive cruise control with stop&go function, traffic jam assistant and lane maintenance assistance.
Optionally, you can also receive a parking assistant (parallel or perpendicular), including an alert for cars crossing when we leave a parking space in reverse gear.