New Audi Q5 Sportback 2021 detailed: BMW X4, Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe rival revealed

Audi has uncovered a new body style to its popular Q5 mid-size SUV at the Beijing motor show, with the sleekly-styled Sportback joining the Australian range in the second half of next year.

Aimed at the BMW X4 and Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe, the Q5 Sportback borrows styling cues from the larger Q8 and smaller Q3 Sportback, with a sloping roofline and more aggressive stance.

Audi’s latest model also differs from the standard Q5 thanks to a unique honeycomb grille similar in design to sporty RS vehicles, while the foglight surrounds and 21-inch wheels are also bespoke.

Headlights and sheetmetal to the B-pillar are mostly carried over from the Q5, with the former featuring LED and matrix LED options, but from there, the rear doors, shoulder and roof are new.

From the rear, the digital OLED tail-lights are also lifted from the Q5, but a unique bumper with large diffuser and a subtle bootlip spoiler finish off the Sportback’s derriere.

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Inside, the Sportback mirrors the Q5 with a pop-up multimedia centre touchscreen measuring 10.1 inches, which also houses satellite navigation and other functions, while instrumentation is displayed on Audi’s celebrated 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit display.

Also expect a full suite of advanced driver safety systems such as autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, and rear cross-traffic alert.

Dimensionally, the Q5 Sportback is 7mm longer than the Q5, while height and width are identical at 1657mm and 1898mm respectively.

With the steeply-raked roofline, the Q5 Sportback loses 40 litres of boot capacity compared to its sister car with the seats up (510L), while the difference with the 40:20:40 seats stowed is 70L (1480L).

However, the second row can be slid forward to increases boot volume to 570L at the cost of passenger legroom.

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Audi also says the Q5 Sportback will also lose 10-20mm of rear headroom due to the new roof.

The Q5 Sportback will ride on the same suspension set-up as the standard Q5 though, with sport and air options available – at least in Europe.

Overseas, there are five engines on offer – two TFSI petrols and three TDI diesels – though Australian Q5 Sportbacks will likely adopt the same three choices available in the Q5.

The petrol engines are the 40 and 45 TFSI, which output 150kW and 195kW respectively from a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder motor.

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Meanwhile, two diesel engines – the 35 and 40 TDI – employ a 2.0-litre engine for 120kW and 150kW respectively, while the 210kW 50 TDI option uses a 3.0-litre V6.

Australian options will likely be restricted to the 40 and 50 TDI, and 45 TFSI, as seen on the current Q5 range, with all sending drive to the road via Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system and an automatic transmission.

Audi has also confirmed that there will be a more potent SQ5 Sportback available down the road, with a petrol version for the US and Asia, and a diesel variant for Europe.

Given Australia offers the SQ5 TFSI full-time and the SQ5 TDI is coming later this year as a limited-edition offering, it is still unclear which – if any – Audi Australia will offer.

Full Australian pricing and specification will be announced closer to the Q5 Sportback’s on-sale date.

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