This festive season has already seen a lot of action when it comes to the entry luxury car segment in our country. Two traditional German rivals—Audi and BMW—have got new cars in the same price range, albeit with very different body styles. While Audi has launched the much awaited Q2, which is the smallest SUV in the market, BMW has got the 2 series sedan to India, but in a Gran Coupe avatar.
AUDI Q2
The design of the Audi Q2 comes as a breath of fresh air as it looks quite different when compared to its bigger siblings like the Q3 and the Q5. It has got a single-frame grille with octagonal design with large air inlets that make it look quite sporty. The T-shaped LED headlamps and tail lamps stand out too. On the profile the car gets 17-inch alloy wheels and bulging wheel arches that are not finished in black. The big C-pillar is finished in black but what really catches the attention are the contours on doors which are nicely designed. On the rear dual exhausts, sharp edges and a spoiler add a nice touch. In terms of dimensions the Q2 is not as big as you think it is, at just over 4.3 metres long and 1.2 metres tall, it looks more like a crossover than an SUV.
The cabin is a mix of lot of hits and some misses. Audi’s signature virtual cockpit is there and so is the multimedia interface which is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, there’s no touchscreen here. And even the driver’s seat cannot be adjusted electrically which is a bit of disappointment. The all-black cabin looks nice and overall quality of materials impresses. The car also gets a sunroof, wireless charger and ambient lighting. Special mention of the click-to-shut rotary style AC vents and snake-skin like effect on the dash which also gets a quattro badging. The second row is surprisingly good on space and the Q2 offers a boot space of 355 litres.
The Q2 has comes to India with just one petrol engine option. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo motor puts out 190 hp and 320 Nm. That’s some good power for a car that is this small in size. A 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission allows quick and slick shifts and there are paddle shifts as well. The car also gets Audi’s famed quattro all-wheel drive system, but in an ultra avatar which means it is more biased towards front wheels. The suspension feels a bit stiff initially but provides a comfortable drive at higher speeds. Owing to compact dimensions, handling is decent too. Finally, there is Audi drive select with 5 modes and the nature of the car changes quite a bit with the change in modes.
Audi has launched the Q2 in 5 variants in all. These are divided into more affordable Advanced line trims and top-of-the-line Design line trims. Prices range from Rs 34.99 lakh to Rs 48.89 lakh (ex-showroom) for the top technology trim. The Q2 will not be made in India and will be imported into the country.
BMW 2 SERIES GRAN COUPE
The 2 series is the most affordable BMW sedan in India. It comes to India in the Gran Coupe format with 4 doors. The frameless doors and a sporty, low and broad-set stance stand out when it comes to design. There are slightly angled full LED headlights and the full-LED tail-lights extend into the centre of the rear. The signature kidney grille is quite likeable here and feels of the right size. Inside what you get is a driver-focused cockpit with newly designed Sport seats. Grand Coupe design means the second row offers generous space and there’s 430 litres of luggage space as well. The car also gets ambient Lighting with six dimmable designs and a panoramic sunroof. In terms of tech there’s a 12.3 inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.25 inch touch screen, both helping with a lot of functions. There’s wireless charging and wireless Apple CarPlay as well.
At the heart of the BMW 2 series Gran Coupe is twin turbo 2.0 litre diesel engine that churns out 190 hp and a maximum torque of 400 Nm at 1,750-2,500 rpm. The car accelerates from 0-100 kmph in just 7.5 seconds. There’s an 8-speed steptronic sport automatic transmission and the car also gets steering wheel paddle shifters, cruise control and launch control. There are 3 driving modes to choose from ECO PRO, Comfort and Sport. The car is priced at Rs 39.30 lakh (ex-showroom) while the M-sport version will set you back by Rs 41.40 lakh.