Audi Q5 2014 News

The SQ5 is the first diesel Audi to be developed into an ‘S’ sport line version. It carries a 230kW/650Nm 3.0-litre V6 bi-turbo engine that the German carmaker says will get the SQ5 to 100km/h in a very respectable 5.1 seconds and to a top speed (governed) of 250km/h. An eight-speed automatic transmission delivers the effort to all corners with Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive with torque vectoring. Fuel economy is claimed to be 7.2L/100km, but that is likely to go higher if you speed-test the sports-tuned suspension that squats the SQ5 30mm lower than the normal SUV. You can still put the vehicle to practical use as a carthorse, taking advantage of its 2400kg towing capacity. But it could be the best-dressed SUV in the caravan park with S-logo black brake callipers peeking out through the standard 20-in alloys – or the 21-in optional ones – roof spoiler, special bumpers, aluminium-look grille elements and sporty garnish around the cabin. Will Audi take the next step and top the Q5 line-up with an RS to sit above the SQ5? No word on that yet but the with brand continually pushing its performance technology profile you’d have to suspect it’s being considered. The former stance of having ‘only one RS model at a time’ is long gone, with the badge appearing in the A3, A4, A5 and TT ranges, and with rumours of one on the way to the Q3 as well. For now there’s also no confirmation of whether an Australian launch will follow Europe’s – scheduled for the first quarter of next year. But Audi Australia is not going to dismiss the idea. “I don’t have anything specific for you yet, but I can suggest that it’s a great-sounding package for a country with such a strong SUV market,” general manager of corporate communications, Anna Burgdorf says.  

The updated mid-size SUV is due in Australia late this year or early 2013, with minimal styling changes but plenty of news under the bonnet. Final Australian specifications will be announced closer to launch. However the new Q5 engine choices in Europe include three diesels, two petrols engines and a hybrid -- Audi’s first hybrid drivetrain in a production vehicle. Power will come from a 155kW 2.0 TFSI engine together with a 40kW electric engine. Combined output will be 180kW/480Nm. The hybrid promises a 0-100km/h time of 7.1 seconds and fuel economy of 6.9L/100km. But those figures – and even the enviable torque peak – fall short of the coming 3.0-litre diesel TDI. The top of the range turbodiesel – a 3.0-litre V6 TDI -- delivers 180kW/580Nm, gets from zero to 100km/h in 6.5 seconds and sips just 6.4l/100km. The 2.0-litre turbodiesel is offered in two versions:  a front wheel drive only 105kW/320Nm with average fuel economy of 5.3l/100km, and a quattro drive 130kW/380Nm returning 6.0l/100km.  The 2.0 petrol TFSI engine delivers 165kW/350Nm and returns 7.6l/100km. The 3.0 TFSI engine is a supercharged V6 with outputs of 200kW/400Nm.  Acceleration from zero to 100km/h is claimed to be 5.9 seconds and average fuel consumption a respectable 8.5l/100km. A start-stop system is now standard on all engines and together with improved transmission pairings these are up to 15 precent more fuel efficient than their predecessors. Interior gadgetry includes improved infotainment options, integrated wireless hotspots for the passengers and Google navigation information for the driver. The Internet functionality also allows the use of internet radio which means more than 5000 radio stations can be received. Then there’s the Audi drive select system which lets the driver tweak the characteristics of the accelerator pedal, transmission shift points, power steering and air conditioning load on the engine. There are three additional optional components that can be included in this system: adaptive cruise control, damping control and dynamic steering.  

Audi built its first hybrid production car in 1996 - the Audi duo, driven by a TDI engine and an electric motor.  But it has taken until now for the German manufacturer to begin producing its follow-up hybrid. Audi group communications, product and technology manager Josef Schlossmacher says they will begin making the "first hybrid model of the present generation" in the next few months.  It will be the Q5 hybrid with a 157kW 2.0-litre TFSI engine and a 25kW electric motor. "Following, we will also bring into the market hybrid versions of our big sedans, A8 early in 2012 and a couple of months later the A6," he says.  "At Audi we are convinced that hybrid cars are an important step to the fully electrical drivetrain of the future." However, Australia may not see hybrid Audis for some time yet.  Audi Australia corporate communications manager Nadine Giusti says the Q5 hybrid will only be built in left-hand drive, "so we cannot bring the car here".

The car in these photos has been given the supercharged 3-litre V6 from the S4, S5 Cabriolet and A6, stoked up an extra 55kW to give it peak power of 300kW – and apparently a 0-100km/h time of 4.4 seconds and top speed of 250km/h. The Q5 concept is on show for the Wothersee Tour, the annual Volkswagen/Audi GTI meet in Austria, and has also been given the appropriate bling for the occasion from the accessories department. The matt grey body paint is set off by red 21in versions of the RS4’s seven-doublespoke wheels, and red-accented nudge plate, roof rails and spoiler. The SUV is also 90mm wider and rides 60mm lower than the standard Q5. A hot version of the Q5 could be a fair contender against the M version of BMW's compact X3, and might get a nod in a world that is looking more towards downsizing. The Audi stand at the Wothersee Tour will also feature coupe and roadster versions of the TT RS with a 254kW 2.5-litre five-cylinder, which promises a 0-100km/h time under five seconds. Audi’s hero R8 supercar is also there in a special GT3 race version and in the ten-cylinder 5.2-litre production model that will top the range, with a 0-100km/h time of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 315km/h.

"We are still investigating but we are pretty certain that the leaks are the result of stress and impact pressures from the cars being driven dynamically over rough roads during the media launch," Audi Australia's Anna Burgdorf says. "The repeated impacts and stress weaken the hose and it leaks." Two of the four 3.0 TDIs driven over a 32-kilometre bush track through the Snowy region lost steering assistance and were retired with fluid leaking from the front of the cars. Burgdorf says that a third car, also a 3.0 TDI used on the launch drive, suffered a similar failure while being driven on Sydney roads earlier this week. "The problem has been reported to Audi AG (head office in Ingolstadt) and a solution has been identified. All 3.0 TDI cars will now be fitted with an optimised servo hose." The potential for failure is restricted to the 3.0 TDI as it is the only model which uses the particular hose that leaked, Burgdorf says. "It is not something that has happened anywhere else during testing, development or launch programs. As far as we know it is unique to Australia but it will be addressed world-wide. "There are 120 cars (for Australia) that could possibly be affected and they will all have those hoses changed before being delivered. If any owner is inconvenienced while waiting for their car we will arrange a loan vehicle for them."  

Introducing the new Q5 off-roader, it was clear that showgoers were far happier to cast their eyes over Miss Hawkins’ curves rather than those of the new Q5 off-roader.The newest Audi joins the Q7 and arrives in March with prices starting at $59,900 for both the 2.0 TDI quattro and 2.0 TFSI quattro models. A powerful V6 3.2 FSI quattro follows at just $69,900 and the mighty $71,900 3.0 TDI aimed squarely at the BMW X3.Audi’s managing director, Joerg Hofmann, says there is plenty of room in Audi’s model portfolio for the Q5.“It is priced very competitively, and offers strong performance from each of its four direct injection engines,” he said.The 2.0 TDI engine also has another ace up its sleeve as it is exempt from Luxury Car Tax due to its low consumption of less than 7.0 litres per 100km.Hofmann said he expects the Q5 to follow in the footsteps of the Q7, luring buyers from other luxury brands.The Q5 will come with four engine variants, all with direct injection turbo-charged engines and quattro permanent all-wheel drive.At launch, both the 2.0 TFSI and 3.0 TDI will be available, closely followed by the 2.0 TDI and 3.2 FSI models in April. All Q5 models are equipped with an economical 7-speed S-tronic gearbox.This has super-slick gearchanges that take only a few hundredths of a second and deliver virtually uninterrupted power flow.The Q5 is the first model to feature this innovative dual-clutch transmission mounted to a longitudinal engine layout.It is matched to Audi’s quattro permanent all wheel drive system with a 40:60 torque split.The Q5 also boasts a luggage capacity of 540 litres with the rear seats up and 1560 litres with the seats folded.Innovative driver assistance systems such as a new MMI Plus Navigation system with 7-inch colour monitor and 40 GB hard drive with storage for up to 10,000 music files; blind spot warning system and “lane assist” to detect and prevent wandering out of your lan are among the car’s features.Also available is adaptive cruise control with a collision warning system that warns the driver and brakes when the car is too close to the car in front and an adjustable suspension system. ,p> The 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show... 

With the arrival of the A4 and its variants, updated A3 hatch, hot S3, the A3 cabrio and the R8 super coupe, the 2008 pace was fast and furious. The onslaught made Audi the fastest-growing premium brand in the country, with a 30 per cent jump in 2008 sales. The eagerly awaited Q5 off-roader and RS6 sedan are just around the corner — and will be on show in Melbourne. The Quattro all-wheel-drive RS6 shares the same Lamborghini-sourced V10 engine as the wagon. It’s a twin-turbo 5.0-litre direct-injection motor that delivers the same power — 426kW at 6250 revs and 650Nm from just 1500 revs. Granted, the RS6 will get the lion’s share of interest but it is the Q5 off-roader that will please families and off-road enthusiasts alike. The Q5 looks like a shrink-wrapped Q7 and in design terms it borrows some of the same handsome cues. Using the Quattro all-wheel-drive system, the Q5 distributes the power between the front and rear axle in a 40/60 split, for a rear-focused driving experience. When needed, the all-wheel-drive system can deliver up to 65 per cent of the power to the front axle and a maximum of 85 per cent to the rear axle. Buyers have a choice of three engines in the Audi range — a 2.0-litre four and 3.0-litre V6 TDI, as well as a 2.0-litre TSFI petrol turbo.   The 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show...