Review: Audi SQ2 (2019-on)

Overview

To be released in Australia in 2019, the Audi SQ2 is a compact SUV. Manufactured in Ingolstadt, Germany, the all-wheel drive Audi SQ2 is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine that is mated to a seven-speed double clutch transmission. The Audi Q2 can accelerate from rest to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds and has an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h.

2.0 TFSI engine

The 1984 cc EA888 four-cylinder petrol engine has an aluminium alloy block, an aluminium-silicon alloy cylinder head, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder and a turbocharger which provides peak boost pressure of 1.4 bar. Other features of the engine include:

• Indirect injection – to supplement FSI gasoline direct injection – at part load to reduce fuel consumption and particulate emissions. As such, FSI injection – which operates at pressures up to 200 bar – is used when starting and at higher loads;
• An exhaust valve lift system which varies the stroke of the valves in two stages such that the camshaft on the intake side can be adjusted steplessly through 30 degrees of crankshaft angle while 60 degrees of adjustment is available on the exhaust side;
• An exhaust manifold which is integrated into the cylinder head and bathed in coolant;
• An intercooler that is integrated into the water circuit to reduce the temperature of the compressed air;
• A compression ratio of 9.3:1;
• Two balance shafts which rotate at twice the speed of the crankshaft to reduce vibrations; and,
  A 6500 rpm redline;
• A particle filter to clean exhaust gases; and,
• A mass of 150 kg.

If the ‘efficiency’ drive mode is selected, the clutch disengages when coasting to reduce fuel consumption. Furthermore, when vehicle speed drops below 7 km/h, the engine switches to start-stop operation.

Haldex 5 all-wheel drive system (‘quattro’)

The Audi SQ2 is understood to have a fifth-generation Haldex all-wheel drive system which consists of an electronically controlled and hydraulically actuated multi-plate clutch that is located in front of the rear axle differential (at the end of the prop shaft). Under low loads or when coasting, the rear axle is decoupled to minimise fuel consumption. If there is a loss of traction, or such a loss is anticipated by on-board sensors, the clutch engages to transfer torque to the rear axle ‘in just a few milliseconds’ by forcing the plates within the clutch together.

Body and dimensions

Compared to the Audi Q2 on which it is based, AustralianCar.Reviews understands that the Audi SQ2 is 19 mm longer (at 4210 mm), the same width (1794 mm), 20 mm lower (1488 mm) and has a 7 mm shorter wheelbase (2594 mm); its drag co-efficient is 0.34 Cd.

The Audi SQ2 has a 355 litre luggage compartment, though luggage capacity increases to 1000 litres when the rear seats are folded down and luggage is filled to the roofline.

Suspension and steering

The Audi SQ2 has MacPherson strut front suspension and a four-link rear axle. Compared to the Audi Q2, the sports suspension for the Audi SQ2 lowers the body by 20 mm.

The Audi SQ2 has rack-and-pinion steering with electric power assistance. As standard, the Audi SQ2 has a progressive ratio steering whereby the steering gear ratio increases in proportion to steering input, providing a more direct ratio for larger steering movements.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Audi SQ2 includes dual front airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, front seat-mounted side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control and front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and load limiters.

The Audi SQ2 is also expected to be available with the following active safety technologies –

• Audi pre sense city: includes Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) and pedestrian detection functions. Operating at speeds up to 85 km/h, Audi pre sense city uses a windscreen-mounted front camera to scan the road for other vehicles and pedestrians. If there is a collision risk, the driver receives visual and audible warnings, followed by a jolting application of the brakes. If the driver fails to respond, full braking force could be applied autonomously. At initial speeds of up to 40 km/h, collisions could be prevented; at higher speeds (up to 85 km/h), the severity of the collision would be reduced;
• Audi pre sense front: an extension of Audi pre sense city, pre sense front operates at speeds up to 250 km/h;
• Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC): using two front radar sensors and the camera, ACC can maintain a specified distance – from five selectable distances – between the SQ2 and the vehicle ahead. Furthermore, ‘Audi drive select’ could be used to adjust the rate of acceleration and other control dynamics;
• Audi active lane assist: uses the front camera to detect lane markings at speeds of 65 km/h and above. If the Audi SQ2 approaches a lane marking without the driver having previously indicated, the electromechanical steering could provide an adjustment to bring the vehicle back into its lane. Using the MMI system, the driver could determine whether this system would be active at all times or only before the lane marking is crossed. As an option, the driver could choose to have steering wheel vibrations as a warning signal;
• Audi side assist: operating at speeds above 15 km/h, Audi side assist uses the two rear radar sensors to monitor traffic up to 70 metres behind the Audi SQ2. If another vehicle approaches quickly or is in the driver’s blind spot, a warning LED in the housing of the appropriate door mirror would illuminate. If the driver activated the indicator to change lanes, the LED would blink rapidly to warn the driver;
• High beam assist: automatically switches between low and high beam headlights for improved visibility, using a sensor to determine when it is safe to do so (i.e. without dazzling other drivers);
• Hill hold assist: when stationary on a hill, hill hold assist automatically applies the brakes to prevent the vehicle from rolling backwards as the driver moves their foot from the brake pedal to the accelerator; and,
• Park assist: provides automated steering for parallel or perpendicular parking manoeuvres.

After a collision, Audi’s ‘multi-collision brake’ provides controlled application of the brakes to reduce vehicle speed and minimise the risk and severity of subsequent collisions.

Euro NCAP testing: Audi Q2

In Euro NCAP testing , the Audi Q2 received a five star safety rating which included a 93 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 86 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the frontal offset test, protection of the driver’s head, thighs and feet were rated as good, though chest protection and lower left leg protection were rated as adequate, and lower right leg protection was rated as marginal. In the side impact and pole tests, however, maximum points were awarded.

Wheels, tyres and brakes

As standard, the Audi SQ2 has 18-inch wheels with 235/45 R18 tyres. For Australia, however, AustralianCar.Reviews expects that the SQ2 will be specified with 19-inch wheels and 235/40 R19 tyres.

The Audi SQ2 has 340 mm by 30 mm ventilated front disc brakes and 310 mm by 22 mm ventilated rear disc brakes.

Features: Audi SQ2

Standard features for the Audi SQ2 are expected to include an eight speaker sound system with 3.5 mm auxiliary and USB inputs, ‘MMI navigation plus’ system with an 8.3-inch touchscreen, integrated voice control and two SDXC card readers, a digital radio tuner (DAB+), Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, leather-appointed seat upholstery, cruise control, halogen headlights with dusk-sensing, rain-sensing wipers, front and rear parking sensors, a rear view camera, leather-wrapped steering wheel with gearshift paddles, 60/40 split fold rear seats, remote central locking, power mirrors, power windows, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable front seats, an auto-dimming interior mirror, electric park brake, a power-operated tailgate, floor mats, tyre pressure sensor, a trip computer and an immobiliser.

As standard, the Audi SQ2 will be equipped with:

• ‘Audi connect’, which includes an in-car Wi-Fi hotspot and Google services such as Google earth navigation map overlay, Google street view and Google local search via text input and voice; and,
• An Audi smartphone interface which connects Apple or Android devices via USB to approved apps via the MMI interface.

Further information will be available closer to launch.