Audi SQ2: VW Golf R POWER for Audi’s pocket-sized SUV

The Audi SQ2 is revealed ahead of its Paris Motor Show debut, with power coming from the VW Golf R’s 2.0 litre turbo and other upgrades too.

It’s easy to think of the Audi Q2 as a cynical marketing exercise by Audi to grab a piece of an SUV market which shows no real sign of slowing. But actually, the Audi Q2 is a good little SUV.

Now, in what looks like the closest you’ll get to an SUV doing a very passable impression of a Hot Hatch, Audi delivers the new SQ2.

The Audi SQ2 comes not with a warm makeover – for example the engine from the Golf GTI – but with a full fat ‘SQ’ delivering pretty much what’s under the VW Golf R (and the Audi S3).

That means the SQ2 comes with 296bhp and 295lb/ft of torque from its 2.o litre turbo four-pot, which makes the SQ2 more than a little lively with 0-62mph despatched in just 4.8 seconds and a 155mph limited top speed, all with the help of Audi’s quattro 4WD and a seven-speed DSG ‘box.

Cosmetic titivations to single the SQ2 out from lesser Q2s is quite subtle, with four exhaust pipes, a slightly more butch body kit with rear spoiler, 19″ alloys and a 20mm lower ride height.

Inside it’s black leather and Alcantara upholstery, black headliner, Virtual Cockpit (as an option – shame) and decent Sound, with Adaptive Cruise and Traffic Jam assist as standard.

Expect the new Audi SQ2 to start arriving in the UK in early 2019, with prices likely to start in the mid-£30k range.