In the ‘touchy-feely’ stakes, there is no finer automotive exponent than Audi. It knows it, as do its customers. Of course, visual appeal is vital and Audi also knows explicitly how to re-engineer and redesign its various models, to differentiate them from lowlier Skoda, Seat and Volkswagen stablemates, all of which are eminently desirable, depending on your budget and amount of badge snobbery.
Finished in a vibrant Tango Red, complete with its gorgeous Nappa hide interior in a red/black combo, with red stitching highlights and even anodised red bezels on the dashboard air-vents, you are in no doubt as to the arrival of the zestiest of all Audi’s Q2 models, the SQ2. The five-door model oozes class through every tight-fitting aperture. Yet, it also delivers in the performance stakes.
Powered by the familiar 2.0-litre petrol-turbo four-cylinder that also powers the hottest versions of SQ2’s sister brands, the driver has access to 296bhp, supported by a deliciously wide spread of torque (295lbs ft between 2,000 and 5,200rpm). Driving through a 7-speed twin-clutch automated-manual gearbox, with paddle-shifters located conveniently behind the steering wheel cross-spokes, the veritable flood of potency enables the 0-60mph sprint to be completed in a slick but silky 4.5s, the car running out of steam at an electronically-limited 155mph.
With practice, it is possible to eke out around 40mpg but the norm is closer to the stated 33.2mpg, which means that, if you stretch the envelope a little, you can watch the small blocks of the digital fuel gauge disappearing rather quicker than desired; it is a good reason not to indulge in full-throttle blasts, despite the omni-present temptation. Incidentally, the test car is rated at 163g/km CO2, which means a hefty £530 road tax in the first year (£145 annually thereafter).
Even in the Comfort setting of the adjustable driving mode selector, the ride quality on 18.0-inch diameter alloys and low-profile tyres is firm. Fortunately, it is not jarringly so but, while the Sport setting is actually quite severe, the SQ2’s composure on typical British roads is excellent. Body roll is exceptionally well controlled but the small, flat-bottomed steering wheel, clad in perforated leather, is connected to a high-geared rack that can make the car respond edgily on rougher surfaces. At 11.1m, the turning circle is far greater than expected.
Of course, cabin comfort is exquisite; the black headlining is lifted from potential oppressiveness by the aforementioned red elements. However, the supportive front sports seats are manually adjustable, with electric heating and lumbar adjustments, and there is bags of space in the front of the cabin. There is adequate room behind for two adults, separated by a generous armrest and the boot can be extended from its 355-litres capacity to a neat 1,000-litres by split-folding the rear bench.
