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2017 Audi Q2 Baby SUV Starts Testing at Nurburgring, Will Debut at 2016 Geneva Show

Say hello to Audi's smallest SUV ever. After the huge success registered by the Q3, the German automaker decided to go even smaller without sacrificing looks or premium feel. Initially expected to be called the Q1, it has just been revealed that the baby SUV will be named Q2. The reason why Audi couldn't make its baby SUV "Q2" from the start is that Alfa Romeo owns the name (but doesn't use it). A deal between the two may have been struck, as Indian Autos Blog spoke to Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management at AUDI AG for Technical Development, and learned the Q2 will debut in Geneva next March.
2017 Audi Q2 Spyshots 27 photos
Photo: SB-Medien
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Now that we know what to call it, let's examine its capabilities. The Q2 rides on the same MQB platform as the Golf, so it's not surprising that the front end of the Q3 looks really big. The wheelbase is not as short as that of the A1, which is great if you're looking to carry four people. The only bit that looks shortened is the boot. The rear overhang is less noticeable than on the A3 hatchback, meaning total trunk space is around 330 liters.

To drive, the Q2 should feel like a taller version of the A3. Even though we are calling it an SUV the test prototype is clearly FWD. Could those twin exhaust pipes be spewing out TDI Unclean Diesel fuels? Probably, but don't throw rocks at it just yet.

A variety of four-cylinder turbocharged engines will be available on the Q2. Even performance models have been planned, namely a 230 horsepower SQ2 (with a GTI engine) and a 300 horsepower RS Q2 (S3 engine). However, most buyers will be happy with the 150 or 190 horsepower 2-liter diesel engine... unless it kills the baby whales.

The debut of the Audi Q2 is scheduled to take place at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, next March. Production is likely to take place in Spain, where the Germans have invested into more production capability. Sister models from Volkswagen, Skoda and SEAT should arrive in 2017.

Obviously, with the whole Dieselgate thing going on right now, there's little chance Audi will add another model to its US inventory. However, we said something similar about the Q3 about five years ago.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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