What is the Audi Q2? It's the new Quattro, the sportier, gruntier, souped up version of the Audi Q2 and it has quickly became the highly sought after breakout star of the fast growing compact SUV market.
The Q2 is now officially New Zealand's top selling compact SUV in the premium market, outselling the Mercedes-Benz GLA, BMW's X1 and the Mini Countryman.
The indulge team got to test drive this beautiful white car, taking it around town shopping, eating and hanging with the girls.
First of all girls, it is an Audi, a brand oozing style. Just look at its ambassador, one of our number one Kiwi fashion designers Juliette Hogan known for her classic yet high fashion looks (Jacinda is a Hogan fan).
Second of all this car just looks amazing in white with all the trims. The new model that we tested has 18 inch wheels, and inside a smart aluminium trim. It has an electronic tailgate again practical to load the shopping or the dog, and a very roomy boot. Plus a lovely middle storage area for all the essentials — coffee, sunglasses, lipstick, phone.
It manages to combine a sports car look and feel with practical elements. It has height for getting in and out of — essential when slipping in with your heels or with a load of shopping. So looks get a big tick, it definitely has the wow factor.
But its beauty is not just all looks, the third thing about this car, it has inner beauty too.
Let's face it, we want a car that looks good but has some grunt on the highway as well as being great to nip around town.
It is certainly grunty — great when you are zipping around town trying to get from store to store, and still has all the safety features you will need — such as blind spot monitoring and driving and parking assist systems, because us girls are great parkers but sometimes every girl needs a little assistance.
As you would expect from an Audi, it is great precise driving, takes corners well, and we found it neither too heavy or light to handle.
The fourth thing that will knock your white socks off about this car is the price.
When you see it and drive it, it is sporty, grunty and with the coveted Audi logo, you will be thinking it is a six figure luxury vehicle. Yet Farmer Autovillage currently sells the original Q2 front-wheel-drive and Quattro versions from $55,900 and $64,900 respectively.
This makes it an affordable option for a diverse range of women — from young professionals seeking a car with urban chic but with grunty power to take on long drives, to older women seeking a second family car, or simply a car about town.
And fifth of all, it is sold by a team at Farmer Audi who are just the most delightful people to help you with your car, which lets face it for most of us is a major purchase.
But don't just take our word for it that they are a great bunch of humans. In fact Farmer Audi has just scooped three top awards at 2019 Audi Dealer Excellence Awards this month in Auckland.
The prestigious event held at Auckland's Glasshouse recognises the finalists from within the Audi New Zealand Dealership network across a range of departments including Sales, Parts and Service.
Blair Woolford, general manager, won sales manager of the year. Shaun Marburg won the sales specialist category, and Mark Ferguson, group parts manager, won parts manager of the year.
Also from Farmer Audi, group service manager Bevan Sheppard was a finalist in service manager of 2018.
Michael Farmer, managing director of Farmer Autovillage, said these Audi Dealer Excellence Awards not only recognise the outstanding achievements from the Farmer Audi team, but a reflection of the group's commitment to excellent customer service.
"This is a superb result for the Farmer Audi team for 2018 and cements our culture of relentless continual improvement in everything we do."
About Diner en Blanc Dîner en Blanc Tauranga, to be held at a secret location on March 9, is set to be one of the most magical parties on Tauranga's 2019 social calendar.
All guests will be dressed in white, from head to toe, to experience the beauty and value of one of Tauranga's public spaces, and to participate in the unexpected.
There is an etiquette to the evening at all the classy outdoor picnic events worldwide.
Guests set up their table and chairs in perfect order, unpack the picnic basket, pop the bubbles, and after a collective wave with white cloth napkins, the party begins.
"Most of what is going to happen on the night will stay under wraps until the last moment, but there are a few things we can reveal. One of the musical acts is Camilla and Santiago, a Brazilian/Argentinian duo that will play a mix of original and covers, and the Animato String Quartet will be there on the night to play beautiful background music," says event organiser Kim Cleland.
Free Lunch Street Theatre Agency will be there with stilt walkers, human monuments, and other whimsical creatures, and the Tauranga Samba Band will help create a party atmosphere with Brazilian style drumming and percussion band.
"Lit up letters from Light Viking will light up the night, and Face and Beauty Academy will be doing hair and makeup touch-ups. Heilala Vanilla and Websters Tea will be providing treats for guests," Cleland says.
"The Amazing Travelling Photobooth and the Selfie Station from Louisiana Lucy will be there as well, capturing photos for guests to take-away on the night. The rest will be surprises. They will have to wait and see on the night!"
Cleland, who would like to give a big thank you to partners Palm Springs Papamoa, Farmer Audi, and Lanson Champagne for making the event possible, says there will also be a local musician who has a national and international following performing, but she won't reveal who it is.