5 must-have optional extras for your new Audi Q2

For the purpose of this exercise, we have selected the mid-level Q2 35TFSI (at R499 000) with its 1.4-litre turbo-engine. Average fuel consumption is 5.2 litres per 100 km (or so says Audi) and its top speed is 212 km/h. 100 km/h is reached from standstill in 8.5 seconds.(Read our launch report of the Audi Q2 here, and our introduction to the range namely Meet the Audi Q2 - the new compact cross-over cutie).

What we're NOT spending money on...

In order to have more cash left for all the things we really want, we're sticking to a few basics, such as standard 17-inch alloy wheels with a decent amount of rubber. Optional large wheels with low profile tyres look good and offer better performance, but we want to travel off-road on weekends (not too far, mind you) and we don't want to fall victim to vicious potholes. So, in the spirit of practicality, we're sticking with these wheels.

We're also quite happy to choose a solid body paint finish which carries no charge. Colour choices are Quantum Grey (a wee bit boring), Ibis White (plain, but classical, and white is SA's top-selling car colour) and Brilliant Black, which looks stealthy and cool, so we're going with that, even though black cars don't stay clean for very long. Coloured side-blades on the C-pillar look trendy, but it's a R2 774 option, and quite frankly, we'd rather spend it on in-car tech. 

You may need to visit the car wash a little more frequently, but we love how this Q2 looks dressed all in solid black.

Our top 5 optional extras are...

1. Leather seats in Milano Leather, R15 636 

If you're spending all this money on an Audi Q2, surely you can afford leather seats. We like the Nougat Brown and Rock Grey colour combination. The Q2 has cloth seats as standard, but if you don't feel like blowing this much money on leather seats, you can opt for the Leather/Leatherette seat combo at R9 079. Sport seats will cost extra if you opt for the base 30TFSI model. 

2. Audi virtual cockpit, R4 656

Personally, I find that nobody does an all-digital instrument cluster quite as well as Audi. All the most important driving information can be seen on the high-res 12.3-inch TFT screen. By pressing the 'view' button on the steering wheel, you can alternate between classic and infotainment mode. The latter will display a central window where you can now view your sat-nav map in your direct field of vision, or see phone, radio, and audio info / controls.

Take a look at the Audi virtual cockpit, optional in the Q2. (Pictured here is the SQ2).

3. Audi Smartphone Interface system, R 2 825

Most cars' infotainment systems have their issues. Most systems have difficulty recognising natural speech and sometimes it can prove challenging navigating your way across multiple menus and settings. While we like Audi's infotainment system and find it quite easy and intuitive to use, having Apple CarPlay and Android Auto at your disposal makes in-car connectivity flawless. It's a must-have in any premium vehicle.

4. Adaptive cruise control (stop & go) with pre-sense front, R5 760

If you spend much time sitting in traffic, adaptive cruise control is the ultimate luxury, allowing you to relax as your car "follows" the car in front, speeding up or slowing down and coming to a stop when necessary. Once the car in front starts moving again, your Q2 will also pull away.

Audi pre sense front uses radar which can detect imminent collisions should a pedestrians or other vehicles appear in front of the car. The system warns you, and your Q2 will brake hard and come to a complete standstill to prevent the accident from happening.

5. Park assist with parking aid plus, R11 954

If you'd rather walk two kilometres to your favourite restaurant just so you won't have to parallel park, this is an invaluable option. Once you've selected the parking space of your choice, watch as your Q2 manoeuvres itself into it. 

If you've been parked in a perpendicular space, cross traffic assist monitors the traffic behind the car with radar sensors, and will warn you of traffic passing behind you so you don't damage your Q2's shapely rear end.

The current Audi Q2 line-up and pricing:

• Q2 30TFSI, R461 000
• Q2 30TFSI sport, R491 000
• Q2 35TFSI, R499 000
• Q2 30TFSI sport Black Edition, R510 569
• Q2 35TFSI Sport S line sports, R511 175
• Q2 35TFSI sport, R538 000
• Q2 35TFSI sport Black Edition, R557 569
• Q2 30TFSI sport S line sports, R588 175

The 30TFSI base models offer the following equipment as standard: