2016 Geneva Motor Show: Audi Q2 revealed

THE baby Audi Q2, shown for the first time at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, will help the German luxury car brand expand its SUV family .

To sit below the Audi Q3 as an entry point to the now four-pronged luxury SUV suite, the Q2 is expected to be priced from about $35,000 when it goes on sale in Australia early in 2017.

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It also lands in the expanding sweet spot of the SUV market, one where any high-riding wagon or hatch is good for business.

At 4.19 metres long, 1.79 metres wide and 1.51 metres tall the Q2 is about 20cm shorter, 4cm narrower and 8cm lower than the Q3 that is currently the smallest SUV in the Audi line-up.

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“In the Audi Q2 we have developed a distinctively geometric form language with model-specific design characteristics,” says Audi Head of Design Marc Lichte. “The car exhibits an independent character within the Q family.”

The Q2 clearly fits in the Q SUV family with a familiar Audi grille flanked by bold trapezoidal vents either side.

The rear has squarer headlights than we've seen on recent Audis as well as a a customisable D-pillar that can be specced with contrasting colours.

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Inside there are five seats and a modern dash design with TT-like prominent circular air vents and optional coloured dash components.

The Q2 will be offered with six engines, three diesel and three petrol. The diesels are all four-cylinders ranging from 1.6 to 2.0 litres. The petrol engine options include an 85kW 1.0-litre three-cylinder, a 110kW 1.4-litre four-cylinder, and a 140kW 2.0-litre four-cylinder.

Despite its on-road focus, Audi says the Q2 is “well suited to off-road conditions with the ESC Offroad mode and 20 centimetres of ground clearance”.

Standard features include auto emergency braking, among other active safety features.

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But it's the connectivity that Audi is hoping attracts the Gen Y target market and the "young urbanites".

The car will have "destination sharing" where smartphone apps can send addresses directly to the sat-nav. It will also allow easy access to social media apps.

The Q2 also gets the option of Audi’s virtual cockpit, a 12.3-inch customisable instrument cluster.

The prime competitor for the Q2 is Mercedes-Benz's GLA, the smallest of the brand’s five-strong SUV line-up.