Luxury

Audi has revealed the last generation of its Q5 Sportback SUV with petrol or diesel engines.Headlining the upgraded model are new exterior and interior design upgrades, along with a brand new mild-hybrid system that delivers improved performance.Starting at the front, there is a beefier front grille in matte black and larger air intakes, both of which are underscored by a new geometric octagonal pattern. There’s sleeker LED headlights with more menacing LED light signatures.At the rear, the sloping roofline is even more dramatic than before, losing the sharply contoured tailgate for a more rounded edge and a brand new OLED light bar.The rear diffuser is new as well, continuing the same geometric pattern in matte black that we see up front.On the SQ5 variant, exterior trims on the grille, diffusers, doors and windows come in a chrome finish that Audi calls Scantium Grey, whereas the base Exterior Advanced package comes in standard Tambora Grey.Both variants boast 18-inch alloys with unique designs, while the SQ5 also adds double shotgun, chrome-tipped exhausts.As usual, you can upgrade to the SQ5's exterior trims – bar the exhausts – through optional S-Line packaging.The new design means cargo space is slightly less than the standard Q5 wagon, which packs 520 litres behind the second row compared to 515 litres on the Sportback. The SQ5 variant carries even less at just 470 litres.Inside, Audi has completely overhauled the interior, with a new triple-screen panoramic dash display now coming as standard.It boasts an 11.9-inch digital driver’s display, a 14.5-inch multimedia touchscreen and an additional 10.9-inch passenger’s display. The latter features a privacy screen to prevent the driver from being distracted while their passenger is browsing the web.The infotainment system is built on Google’s Android Automotive software, although it is still expected to offer wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.Optional features include a head-up display, along with a premium 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.There’s a flat-bottom, leather-wrapped steering wheel with haptic controls, which adds the Audi ‘S’ logo depending on whether you opt for the S-line or SQ5.Interior materials across the seats, door panels and dash come in a mixture of metallic, microsuede and cascade materials, which Audi said are made primarily from recycled materials. There is also ambient lighting across the dash and lining the cupholders.Underpinning the Q5 Sportback is Audi’s Premium Platform Combustion architecture, which is designed to serve as the brand's last internal combustion engine architecture. It debuted on the Audi A5 earlier this year.It carries Audi’s 48-volt mild-hybrid technology and 1.7kWh battery pack, which the brand said reduces driving emissions while increasing driving performance and comfort.Fuel economy estimates aren’t available yet, nor is a 0-100km/h time, but the new platform does allow for limited all-electric parking and manoeuvring and the new powertrain generator delivers up to 230Nm and 13kW.The 48-volt electrical system also allows for the air conditioning to run at full capacity even when the car’s engine is switched off, such as when coasting or stopped at a red light.In Europe, the Q5 Sportback will be sold with three engine options, with a plug-in hybrid variant set to join the lineup later.That starts with a 2.0-litre TFSI four-cylinder petrol engine, available with either front- or all-wheel drive. It boasts 140kW/420Nm.The TDI diesel version comes standard in all-wheel drive, or quattro in Audi-speak, with outputs of 150kW/400Nm.Finally, the all-wheel drive SQ5 gets a 3.0-litre six-cylinder TFSI petrol engine that leads the range with 270kW and 550Nm.Audi said mild-hybrid technology can deliver up to 18kW of additional power across the range. All variants use a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.Prices in Europe start at €54,800 ($88,459) and rise to €137,872 ($137,872) for the SQ5 variant.We expect prices in Australia to start north of $90,000 once it arrives here from the second half of 2025. Keep your eyes peeled for local pricing and specifications closer to that date.

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