NEW generation versions of the Audi Q2 are up for grabs in the UK this week priced from £23,500.

The newcomers benefit from sharper styling, an improved specification, new Audi connect functionality and additional driver assistance systems.

Audi is calling it the Q model that really gets to the point and the line-up, which will feature Technik, Sport, S line, Black Edition and Vorsprung options, should arrive with customers later in the autumn.

Styling revisions give the German brand's most compact SUV a more confident stance and result in an increase of a few millimetres in the length of the Q2, which now extends to 4.21 metres.

But this doesn't impact on the car's width, height or lowest-in-class drag coefficient.

At launch the new generation Q2 will be available with Audi's 1.5-litreTFSI petrol engine with its cylinder on demand efficiency system, delivering peak power of 150PS.

The plan is to add further TDI diesel and TFSI petrol engines before the end of the year and all comply with the new Euro 6 AP emission standard.

The Q2 with the 1.5 TFSI engine features a manual six-speed transmission as standard, with the seven-speed S tronic available as an option.

And some of the additional units will also have quattro all-wheel drive based around a new generation multi-plate clutch, which transfers part or all of the engine torque to the rear wheels as needed.

As part of the model update the adaptive cruise assist system featured by Audi models in the classes above is also adopted by the Q2, and more specifically by Vorsprung versions exclusively.

It enables the driver to let the system largely take over the tasks of accelerating, decelerating and steering within a lane with the help of its front camera and sensors.

And LED headlamps now enable drivers of all versions of the updated Q2 to see and be seen even more clearly, while Vorsprung versions are further upgraded to incorporate Matrix LED units housing seven individual LEDs.

Audi UK chief Andrew Doyle said: "In its styling the Q2 has always gone against the grain to a certain extent, which is part of its appeal.

"I'm pleased that the designers have chosen to accentuate this facet of its character as part of this update programme, which leaves the Q2 not only looking even sharper and more distinctive but also feeling even more mature and sophisticated thanks to its detail changes and technology upgrades."