Audi Q2 Tuning

"Thanks for reading my Q2 tuning guide."

A similar size to the A3, the Q2 sits in the small SUV crossover range and shares the A3 and Golf R platform so many A3 mods and upgrades will work on the Q2. Whilst not a proper SUV the additional height and space add practical value to this car for families and weekend breaks.

The Audi Q2 was first introduced in 2016 as a compact SUV, aimed at combining style, practicality, and premium features.

The Audi Q2 has evolved over the years, focusing on enhancing performance, efficiency, and modern features.

Petrol engines offered

• 1.0 TFSI 999 cc I3 turbo 114 hp; 116 PS @ 5500 rpm 200 Nm (148 lbf⋅ft) @ 2000–3500 rpm 6-spd. manual (standard)
  7-spd. S tronic DSG (optional)
• 1.4 TFSI COD 1395 cc I4 turbo 148 hp; 150 PS @ 5000–6000 rpm 250 Nm (184 lbf⋅ft) @ 1500–3500 rpm 6-spd. manual (standard)
  7-spd. S tronic DSG (optional)
• 1.5 TFSI COD Evo 1496 cc (from 2019 replaces the 1.4TFSi) i4 turbo 150 hp; 152 PS @ 5000–6000 rpm 250 Nm (184 lbf⋅ft) @ 1500–3500 rpm 6-spd. manual (standard) 7-spd. S tronic DSG (optional)
• 2.0 TFSI 1984 cc i4 turbo 188 hp; 190 PS @ 4200–6000 rpm 320 Nm (236 lbf⋅ft) @ 1450–4150 rpm 7-spd. S tronic DSG

Diesel engines

• 1.6 TDI 1598 cc  114 hp; 116 PS @ 3250–4000 rpm 250 Nm (184 lbf⋅ft) @ 1500–3200 rpm 6-spd. manual (standard) or 7-spd. S tronic DSG (optional)
• 2.0 TDI 1968 cc  148 hp; 150 PS @ 3500–4000 rpm 340 Nm (251 lbf⋅ft) @ 1750–3000 rpm 6-spd. manual (standard) or 7-spd. S tronic DSG (optional)
• 2.0 TDI 1968cc 188 hp; 190 PS @ 3500–4000 rpm 400 Nm (295 lbf⋅ft) @ 1900–3300 rpm 7-spd. S tronic DSG

2019 Facelift:

Cosmetic changes to front and rear design. Enhanced infotainment and safety features. Wheel Size: Various options, ranging from 16 to 19 inches. Engines were improved and offered lower emissions and greater reliability in the main.

2022 Refresh:

Further refinement of exterior design. Upgraded interior materials and technology. Wheel Size: Options expanded, now ranging from 17 to 20 inches.

SQ2 Version:

The Audi SQ2, introduced in 2018, is a high-performance variant based on the fantastic 2.0-liter TFSI petrol engine. In the SQ2 it produces around 300 horsepower.

The Q2's light weight and wide selection of engines offer a great reward to the tuner as relatively minor power increases create noticeable driving improvements.

We take a peek at Q2 tuning and outline the greatest modifications. Audi Q2s make awesome project cars and with carefully chosen tuning enhancements you can definitely increase your driving experience.

A popular car for tuning up is the Q2 and our members have some interesting projects on the go. Sit down first and research Q2 tuning to avoid making the usual disastrous errors we often hear about.

See our video which covers all the principles of tuning upgrades and Audi Q2 Mods.

Audi offered the 1.0 TFsi which in our opinion is a little underpowered and best avoided unless you just wanted a town run around car.

The 1.4 TFSI with COD tech, which is actually a really nice engine, and, due to it's light weight feels far more powerful than it should. The later 1.5 TFSi is to be offered on the Q2 as this replaces the 1.4  TFSi (June 2019 was roughly when this changed.)

The 1.5 TFSI COD is a nice rev happy engine and offers just a little more of everything and sounds a bit more grown up at high revs compared to the 1.4.

I personally have the 1.4 TFSI COD engine and it works really really well, the fuel economy is in another league and the power comes on when you need it. The 1.5 doesn't feel much faster but sounds a little more throaty at high rpm and gives slightly better fuel economy.

The 2.0 TFSi is plenty of power for this chassis and makes a good basis for a track day car, but don't overlook the smaller 1.4 or 1.5 as they are surprisingly good and make the 2.0 a hard choice to make.

On the diesel front we have the 1.6 TDI and the 2.0 TDI with all manor of eco friendly mods and tweaks. Both engines suit the Q2 well and offer good gains when tuned and modified.

The best power gains come from larger engine sizes. The more you start with the bigger the return on investment so engine swaps are good value mods for small engined cars.

Tuning modifications.

These are the modified mods are usually fitted by our members, decide how far you want to push your car before you begin.

Getting the best sports upgrades for your planned usage of the car is essential. Stage 3 motor sport parts just won't work well on the road hard to control in slow traffic.

Please watch our video which covers the 5 principles of tuning your car. Be sure to keep up with our latest YouTube content and subscribe.

Best Engine Mods for your Q2

1. 1. Engine Tunes - engine tuning/remapping provides the most advantage in terms of cost savings,  aftermarket ECUs, and piggyback ECUs are all alternatives.
   2. Suspension - mods to suspension including coilover kits, antiroll bars, strut braces and upgraded bushings improve the Q2 handling.
   3. Intake and Exhaust - Note that on their own these mods will NOT ADD POWER in most cases, but they can help enhance power after other mods by removing the restriction.
   4. Upgrades to turbochargers and superchargers - forced induction is the most efficient approach to increase air supply, allowing you to burn more fuel and make more power. It is one of the most costly upgrades but provides the best gains.
   5. Head work - The goals of porting and flowing the head are to get air flowing into the engine while removing flow restrictions and turbulence.

Q2 Tuning Stages

Typical stage 1 mods often include:
Panel air filter, Sports exhaust, Alloy wheels, Lighter flywheel, Suspension upgrade (drop 30-40mm), Remap.

Typical stage 2 mods often include:
High flow fuel injector, fuel pump upgrades, Power/Sport clutch, Ported and polished head.

Typical stage 3 mods often include:
Internal engine upgrades (pistons/head/valves), Sports gearbox, Engine balancing, Upgrading forced induction (turbo/supercharger).

Handling mods (Suspension).

Handling modifications are the thing most do first for the Q2. We would go to a maximum drop of 35mm on most models. You risk rubbing on the arches if you go lower than this.

Upgrading the suspension components of your Audi Q2 can significantly enhance its handling and overall driving experience. Many enthusiasts opt for modifications such as coilover kits, anti-roll bars, strut braces, and upgraded bushings to achieve better performance on the road.

Coilover Kits:

Installing a coilover kit provides a more customizable suspension setup, allowing you to fine-tune the ride height and stiffness of your Q2.

This modification not only enhances the vehicle's aesthetic appeal by lowering its stance but also improves handling dynamics.

When choosing a coilover kit, consider reputable brands known for quality and durability. Keep in mind that extremely low ride heights may impact daily drivability and could lead to issues with speed bumps or rough roads and the Q2 is essentially an SUV so not really designed for an ultra low stance.

Eibach Pro Street S suspension kits work well, as with all Q2 suspension kits you need to be careful to select one for your specific engine as the weights will affect the cars handling and ride height.

Bilstein B12 Pro kit & the KW ST X and the more adjustable ST XA are also good options on the Q2 recommended to me by viewers of our channel and members.

A drop of around 45-50mm over the OEM stance is optimal for most wheel sizes, but many drivers prefer going a little lower than this, but you need to make sure the suspension geometry is set up correctly (SQ2 is already lower than the Q2.)

Anti-roll Bars:

Upgrading to performance-oriented anti-roll bars, also known as sway bars, helps reduce body roll during cornering.

This results in improved stability and responsiveness, especially in tight turns. Opting for adjustable anti-roll bars allows you to fine-tune the balance between front and rear suspension, tailoring the handling characteristics to your preferences.

While this upgrade enhances cornering performance, be cautious not to over-stiffen the suspension, as it may negatively affect ride comfort.

Strut Braces:

Strut braces, installed in the front or rear of the vehicle, add structural rigidity to the chassis. By minimizing flex in the suspension components, strut braces contribute to more precise handling and improved feedback to the driver.

When selecting a strut brace, consider the material and design for optimal performance.

Keep in mind that strut braces may have a more subtle impact on handling compared to other modifications and are better on older Q2 models where the suspension struts have started to move.

Upgraded Bushings:

Replacing the factory rubber bushings with performance-oriented alternatives can further enhance the Q2's responsiveness.

Upgraded bushings reduce play in the suspension, providing a more direct and precise feel during cornering and steering inputs.

When choosing bushings, consider those made from materials like polyurethane for increased durability and improved performance.

However, keep in mind that firmer bushings may transmit more road imperfections into the cabin and increase the noise vibration and harshness, we have done a recent video on suspension bushing upgrades.

Before diving into suspension modifications, it's crucial to have a clear understanding of your driving preferences and how these upgrades might impact your daily commute.

Additionally, seek professional installation to ensure proper fitment and alignment, preventing potential issues.

Regularly inspect the suspension components for wear and tear, as performance modifications can sometimes accelerate the aging process.

Q2 Performance Mods

Let's move on to power and performance upgrades for the Q2.  Turning our attention to the Q2's engine we need to get a bit more power out of the top end and fully exploit the turbo to better lift torque and hp output.

Peak power is all well and good but for a driveable and fun car you need a long power band and perhaps extending the rev range.

Diesels vs Gasoline/Petrol engines are very different in the way they deliver power so I'd urge you to check out our specific engine tuning guides for more details on mods and upgrades for each engine offered in the Q2 after scanning through this overview and explanation on the best tuning strategy.

In this article we shall give a little insight into the world to the best upgrades for your car, but we'd encourage you to spend some time on the site looking into the details of each type of performance part.

The intake and exhaust flow play a large part in your cars power band, but be careful here, getting this wrong can upset the idle and make the car hard to drive in traffic.

Frequently power losses, and erratic idling after sports kits are done can usually be traced to timing or fuelling issues.

Uprating the injectors is another beneficial modification and will deliver sufficient fuel. Uprate the fuel pump to cope with the extra fuel requirements of your tuned Q2s uprated injectors.

A good "fast road" upgraded clutch will help to keep that power going where it should along with a lighter free revving flywheel. Never make false economies or assume your standard clutch to cope.

The dual mass flywheels on diesels are very useful and we would caution against going to a single mass unit on these engines. The petrol engines are not as fussy and if a lighter single mass flywheel matches you driving style then go for it.

But please compare the many options out there and chat with other owners so you know what you are letting yourself in for.

Intake and Exhaust Tuning.

Breathing mods are usually next up. Contrary to popular belief there is generally very little power gain to be had by fitting an induction kit, they only work well and are recommended after you increase the engines power to the point where the standard air intake box cannot cope!

Derestricting the airflow into the engine is the primary part of car tuners so get a freer flowing air filter if you find that the car is running lean only if you find the car is running lean.

Induction kits can sound great but due to the warm air in the engine bay they will not really increase power and more often than not rob you of power on most cars.

Do not go with the widest exhaust you can buy this will reduce the exhaust flow rate - the best for power gains are usually between 1.5 to 2.0 inches. It is the shape and material more than the bore size.

Diesel exhausts do not need to be improved, the OEM exhausts flow really well and can handle quite large power gains.

Airflow through the head can be dramatically increased with some professional polishing and ported. These should match and be setup to take into account any other engine mods.

Turbo engines are just begging to be tuned mapped or flashed.

You will see large power gains on most modern turbocharged cars including diesels making a tune/remap one of the most cost effective and large modifications for your money.

The gasoline petrol varients yield power upgrades in the order of 20-30bhp when mapped, and the diesels are a little more. The pro with the diesel engine is you'll also get better fuel economy, which is sadly not the case on the petrol engines, unless you drive very carefully.

We've also seen some tuners experimenting with twin charging conversions and making some very high power figures.

The most phenomenal power gains for NA (naturally aspirated) engines usually involve the addition of bigger turbos and we are seeing some interesting twin scroll and larger turbo options around for the Q2 engines. Clutch and fuel weaknesses show up when putting on bigger forced induction.

It is easier to map a supercharger because the boost is proportional to engine speed on a linear curve. To cope with forced induction you will usually need to decrease the engines compression ratio .

Alloy wheel upgrades.

As alloy wheels are lighter they improve performance and they will help to cool the brake disks. The drawback to large alloy wheels on your Q2 is that you're altering your final drive ratio so this will have a negative effect on performance.

For this reason we would advise sticking to a maximum wheel size of 17 inches, although we know some of our members have fitted larger wheels with no problems. Many drivers of the Q2 have settled for 18's and these fill the arches nicely but will be harder for most to live with when compared with the 17's.

The Q2 actually looks really nice on 16's with a set of chunky off road style tyres, but we accept that this look is not for everyone.

If you would like to know more, or just get some friendly advice on Tuning your car please join us in our car forums where you can discuss Q2 options in more detail with our Q2 owners. It would also be worth reading our unbiased Audi tuning
articles to get a full grasp of the benefits and drawbacks of each modification.

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This article is flagged for an update, so please pass on specific tips below that I can include. All articles, and content was written by me, Waynne Smith TorqueCars founder. Some outlines are just too general so I appreciate your feedback and suggestions. This entry was filed under Audi. You can leave a response below or join our forum to discuss this article and car modification in detail with our members.

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