Audi Q2 crossover teased ahead of upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March; could be based on modified MQB architecture
Audi announced at the beginning of 2016 that an investment of nearly 3 billion Euros will benefit the company’s Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm production facilities for the development of greener technologies and advanced manufacturing equipment for the future. The German manufacturer’s primary focus will also be on the crossover market, it has made successful worldwide with the range of Q models, with that huge investment. The much-needed new generation model of the Q5 SUV was confirmed to arrive this year and it will be accompanied by Q2 mini SUV.
Audi released teaser images of the latest Q-series model which signals the impending launch of the Q2 micro-SUV at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show scheduled for March. Vaguely, the teased pictures show nothing of the car but an empty parking space allotted alongside the BMW X1 rivalling Audi Q3 with the bigger Q5 and Q7 models standing beside it.
The new entry-level crossover could either be christened as Audi Q2 or the Q1 but with the German luxury car maker bought the rights to use the Q2 nomenclature from FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles), you know what to expect.
As part of expanding its range of models to 60 by the end of this decade and further stimulate the rivalry with global leader BMW and India’s best-selling luxury brand Mercedes, Audi has huge volume-turning aspirations with the Q2 mini SUV. It will be positioned below the well-received Q3 and therefore it will be sold as less expensive Audi model to buy for premium buyers. The crossover will instigate a new segment that has been discovered to have enormous potential.
Audi will reap the benefits of the first manufacturer to step-foot in to the segment with BMW has long been speculated to have the X2 in works and Mercedes can’t be entirely ruled out of the fray if the segment entices audience. The premium vehicles from VW, Honda, Toyota and Hyundai will have much to ponder on if the segment succeeds. Reported to have taken styling cues from the Audi Crossplane concept, the existing A1 is more likely to form the basis for the Q2.
Its PQ25 architecture could still be utilised for a 4WD model whilst the PQ35 platform that Q3 sits on can’t be shrugged off. Some reports suggest that it could be built on a modified version of the flexible MQB platform with three and four cylinder petrol engines in addition to four cylinder diesel motors powering the Q2 mini SUV.
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