Exclusive: NZ Clothing Brand Huffer and Audi combine to produce a limited edition Q2
To celebrate 20 years in business, fashion label Huffer is launching a limited edition Audi Q2, just a day before its attendance at this year’s NZ Fashion Week.
Huffer co-founder Steve Dunstan has been an Audi ambassador for seven years and recently worked with the brand to release just 20 limited edition versions of the breakout star of 2017, the compact Q2 SUV.
The idea for the Huffer edition came about soon after the launch of the Q2 in February.
Since then more than 150 Audi Q2 models have been sold, exceeding the brand’s forecast sales year to date.
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.
So it made sense that Huffer and Audi collaborate to produce a limited edition version of the Q2,
which officially went on sale today. “I love working with the Audi brand,” said Dunstan, who previously produced a limited edition Audi Huffer A1.
“The exciting new Q2 model was recently launched and, with Audi New Zealand, we decided that it would be good positioning of a vehicle that was relevant to our market … and we could do a limited edition model to help celebrate Huffer’s 20 years.”
The exclusive Q2 was “the perfect way to recognize the strong, long-term partnership that Audi and Huffer have shared in New Zealand for many years”, said Audi NZ’s general manager, Dean Sheed.
“Congratulations to Huffer for becoming a New Zealand icon of innovation and style,” he added.
The Audi Q2 Huffer Edition 1 is priced from $64,900 and is powered by 1.4-litre TFSI producing 110kW of power and 250Nm of torque. Paired with a seven-speed S Tronic transmission, the front-wheel-drive has a combined fuel efficiency of 5.5-l/100km.
The Q2 shares the same platform at the Audi A3 hatchback and is 200mm shorter than the Q3 crossover, with a low roofline. The 1.4-engine is also found in the A1 and A3.
Added to the usual Q2 is the Huffer package, designed by Audi NZ and Dunstan.
“I worked with the Audi New Zealand team and we worked on creating a spec that was suitable and aligned to our brands, so it's relatively contemporary,” Dunstan told Driven exclusively.
The Q2 Huffer Edition 1 comes in the exclusive Quantum Grey exterior colour, matched with a black c-pillar blade, plus 19in alloys with black five-arm rotor design.
“The Quantum Grey is a unique, cool, contemporary colour, and the black wheels give it a sense of confidence and assertive presence on the road.
“The aesthetics aligned perfectly with our brand; we're confident, cool, but accessible to everyone,” said Dunstan.
The Q2 gets unique 20th anniversary Huffer badges, designed by Dunstan, for the front guard and bumper and rear bumper.
The Huffer “H” logo sits in a speckled gold block that reflects Audi’s heritage, said Dunstan.
“The gold is also a colour that is part of Huffer’s 20-year celebration brand pack. And we took reference from Audi's heritage as well … and aligned it with some old-school car badging,” said Dunstan.
Inside, the limited edition Q2 gets “pulse” patterned cloth and leather upholstery, an aspect Dustan is especially happy with.
“The cloth leather trim, is a really nice feature for us, and it puts an emphasis on textiles, and fabrication, which is what Huffer is about.”
The owner of the Q2 Huffer Edition 1 also gets a special key ring that entitles them to a 40 per cent discount at any Huffer store for 12 months.
Huffer will celebrate two decades in the business at NZ Fashion Week tomorrow with a special show at Spark Arena.
