Audi Q5 News

Huge recall program set to start as soon as this month, to be completed by December 2016.

Even below six figures, there are styling and performance high-flyers.

As the new global boss of VW promises to compensate customers for a loss in resale value, lawyers are lining up in Australia to represent more owners of cars with software that can cheat diesel emissi

The VW diesel scandal has now reached Australian showrooms, with 10 models now banned from sale effectively immediately.

New Honda Jazz sets new benchmark for rear view cameras: $14,990.

The SQ5 TDI marks the first time Audi has featured a diesel engine in an S-line model -- and there won’t be very many about, with the production run limited to 50 cars.  Rolling off the line early next year, the car will be priced at €92,000 ($112,000) in Germany - the standard model is €58,000, so that’s a considerable hike. The SQ5 is powered by the 3.0-litre bi-turbo diesel V6 in the Q5 TDI, but with the 176kW/500Nm outputs boosted to deliver 230kW and 650Nm. Audi claims it gets to 100km/h in 5.1 seconds - shaving 1.4 off the Q5’s 6.5 seconds - and will hit a top speed of 250km/h electronically limited. The SQ5 TDI is finished in a crystal-effect blue with the signature S-line aluminium-look side mirrors, xenon headlights with LED running lights and four exhaust tips. The cabin gets black Nappa leather with white contrast stitching, woven leather seat sections and natural grain ash inlays.  

...for three years. But the German brand is always looking for more improvements and the new lamps point to a refresh that could also bring more engine choices for Australia.  

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.