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27-04-2012 at 08:00: Updated Audi Q5

The Audi Q5 hybrid quattro, the brand’s first production hybrid model, unites the power of a V6 with the fuel economy of a four cylinder.

The Q5 has a versatile and successful character. Now the mid-class SUV is even more attractive, efficient and sporty with the addition of many new solutions in design, infotainment, chassis and engines and will be in Australia this summer.

Audi is launching its updated Q5 with five engine options: three TDI and two TFSI engines. All of these engines combine direct fuel injection with charging, and a start-stop system is standard in all versions. Although most of the engines have enhanced performance, their fuel consumption values were reduced by up to 15 per cent.

The most efficient Q5 series engine is the 2.0 TDI; Audi offers it in two versions. In the version with 105 kW and 320 Nm of torque, the four-cylinder engine in combination with manual transmission and front-wheel drive has an average fuel consumption of 5.3 litres of diesel per 100 km – and a CO2 equivalent of 139 grams per km. The 75 litre fuel tank enables driving ranges of up to 1,400 km.

The Audi Q5 with 130 kW and 380 Nm of torque (with S tronic and quattro drive) has a fuel consumption value of 6.0 litres per 100 km . The 3.0 TDI delivers 180 kW and 580 Nm of torque. The V6 diesel – which appears in a new, advanced design and is always paired with a seven-speed S tronic and quattro drive system – accelerates the Q5 from zero to 100 km/h in 6.5 seconds and has a top speed of 225 km/h. Its combined fuel consumption is just 6.4 litres of fuel per 100 km.

The petrol engines of the updated Audi Q5 also feature state-of-the-art technology. A highlight of the TFSI engine line-up is the new two-litre, four-cylinder engine that has numerous innovations such as in the control of valves and their stroke, innovative thermal management, the fuel injection system, turbocharger and integration of the exhaust manifold in the cylinder head.

The new 2.0 TFSI delivers 165 kW and 350 Nm. Its fuel consumption (with a manual transmission) is 7.6 litres per 100 km. Producing even more power is the new 3.0 TFSI – the 3.0-litre V6 with supercharging, which replaces the 3.2-litre engine. This engine outputs 200 kW of power and 400 Nm of torque. Key performance data: zero to 100 km/h in 5.9 seconds, top speed 234 km/h, combined fuel consumption of 8.5 litres per 100 km.

Each of the engines in the updated Q5 has an optimal transmission system. The four-cylinder engine operates with a manual six-speed transmission as standard equipment. The highly convenient eight-speed tiptronic is available as an option for the 2.0 TFSI with 165 kW; it is standard in the 3.0 TFSI. The sporty seven-speed S tronic, on the other hand, is standard in the 3.0 TDI and available as an option in the 2.0 TDI with 130 kW.

The transmissions are integrated in the innovative thermal management system of the four-cylinder versions, a system that significantly shortens the warm-up phase after a cold start. All transmissions have wide gear spreads – the long gear ratios in the upper gears reduce fuel consumption, while the short gear ratios of the lower gears improve dynamic performance in highway driving.

The quattro permanent all-wheel drive system is standard with all but one engine – only the 2.0 TDI with 105 kW has front-wheel drive. Normally, the centre differential distributes engine power to the rear and front axle at a ratio of 60:40, but it can redistribute the power at lightning speed when necessary. The torque vectoring system finishes its job with finely tuned brake interventions.

The chassis of the Audi Q5 – with its five-link front suspension and trapezoidal-link rear suspension – adds new refinement and comfort in the characteristics of the springs, shock absorbers and stabilizers.

The new electromechanical power steering system gives the driver a better feel for the road with direct gearing. The system – which adjusts its power assist to vehicle speed – does not consume any energy in straight-line driving, reducing fuel consumption by about 0.2 litres per 100 km.

The Q5 has 17-inch aluminium wheels and size 235/65 tyres (18-inch wheels from 165 kW). Audi and quattro GmbH can deliver wheels with up to 20-inch diagonals and tyres up to 255/45.

People who are particularly focused on sports performance can order the S line sport suspension. The electromechanical parking brake may be supplemented with the optional Audi hold assist, and the standard downhill assist function controls vehicle speed on steep descents. Electronic stabilization control (ESC) adapts its interventions to characteristics of the road surface.

Another high-end feature in the Audi Q5 is the Audi drive select system. It lets the driver vary the characteristic of the accelerator pedal, the shift points of the automatic transmission, amount of power steering assist and operation of the automatic air conditioning system via four modes, including an efficiency mode. When an Audi navigation system is ordered, a fifth mode is added that is largely user-programmable.

In addition, three optional components may be integrated in Audi drive select. They are adaptive cruise control, chassis with damping control and dynamic steering, in which the steering gear ratio is modified as a function of vehicle speed via a harmonic drive system. At performance limits in driving through curves, it compensates for understeer and oversteer by intervening with slight steering pulses.

The Audi Q5 also performs very well on rugged terrain. Its maximum climbing angle is 31 degrees. The vehicle’s approach and departure angles are each 25 degrees, while its ramp angle is 17 degrees. The vehicle’s ground clearance measures 20 centimetres (7.87 inches).

The Audi Q5 is progressive and sporty, spacious and functional. Its styling, with a coupe-like roof line and wrap-around tailgate, visualizes all of these properties – and it is now acquiring distinctive new traits. The interior design of the headlights has been modified; the LED daytime running lights of the optional xenon plus units are shaped as curved bands that surround the headlights. Audi also offers the optional adaptive light with dynamic cornering light and static turning light.

The horizontal lines of the high-performance SUV’s front end are emphasized more strongly. The high-gloss black Singleframe grille has beveled upper edges; its vertical chrome struts and the Audi rings have a sculpted look. The modified bumpers integrate air inlets with high-gloss black inserts and fog lights with chrome rings.

When xenon plus headlights are ordered, the tail lights are also designed with a layout of visually uniform LED light bands. The diffuser insert and the tailpipes that taper at the bottom have been redesigned – in two versions, depending on the engine. Roof rails and crossbars are standard equipment.

There is a range of 15 colours, including four new colours. As options, Audi can deliver an S line exterior package or an offroad styling package; both give the Q5 a unique look with their design details and the colours of add-on parts.

The updated SUV is 4.63 metres long, 1.90 metres wide and 1.65 metres tall. Its drag coefficient is 0.33 and its frontal area is 2.65 m2; the curb weight of the base version is 1,755 kg.

The engine hood and trunk lid consist of aluminium, while a large share of the car’s structural elements integrate ultra-high-strength steels; they reduce weight and improve crash safety. The high-performance SUV’s interior has a solid and highly comfortable look. Audi received the “Euro Car Body Award” for the Q5 body – the most prestigious award in car design.

The interior of the Audi Q5 has made additional strides in refined styling. Many of the user controls have narrow chrome trim; the steering column control stalks, ignition key and instruments were given subtle modifications. The narrow panels of the centre console are high-gloss black. All steering wheel versions, including versions with shift paddles, reflect the new Q-specific styling.

The ergonomics have also been fine-tuned. The central media component, MMI navigation plus, now has four buttons, and its volume dial has an additional skip function. Other refinements have been made to the controls for the seat heating, the new highly efficient air conditioning system, the Audi drive select system and the multifunction steering wheel.

Extras worthy of special mention are the convenience key, three-zone automatic air conditioning system and climate-controlled comfort seats with a ventilation function. The panoramic glass roof also creates a pleasant atmosphere in the interior.

An uncompromisingly high quality of workmanship is a matter of pride at Audi. Selections of materials, colours and upholstery fabrics have been updated – three new interior colours, three fabric and three leather qualities and a total of 35 different combinations offer plenty of latitude when it comes to customization. Large fabric-upholstered surfaces are standard on the door trim panels; inlay options include three wood veneers and one aluminium version.

The S line sport package offers a black interior; sport seats and elegant trim components make it even more elegant. The package is completed by 19-inch wheels with 235/55 tyres, a sport suspension and the exclusive exterior colour Daytona Grey, pearl effect. The design packages, Audi exclusive program and Audi exclusive line offer other exclusive choices.

The Audi Q5 is a car with outstanding practical talents when it comes to recreational and family activities. It offers ample interior space with a long wheelbase of 2.81 metres. The seatback angles can be adjusted on the rear seats. When these seats are folded – which is very easy using the remote seatback unlatching feature – the cargo capacity increases from 540 to 1,560 litres.

Audi offers an optional rail system for the cargo space, an electric drive for the tailgate, folding front passenger seatback and rear seating system with ten centimetres (3.94 inches) of longitudinal adjustment together with cargo pass-through feature. The Audi Q5 is also a powerful towing vehicle with up to 2.4 metric tons of trailer load, depending on the engine and hill incline.

In the updated Q5, the driving is relaxed and carefree – in part due to the highly developed assistance systems from Audi. The driver information system with rest recommendation is a standard feature. If the system detects that the driver’s attentiveness is waning – based on steering wheel movements and other parameters – it recommends that the driver take a break from driving.

Assuming a central role among the optional assistance systems is adaptive cruise control. The radar-based cruise control system controls the distance to the car ahead in traffic; at speeds under 30 km/h it can initiate hard braking if it detects an impending collision. Audi active lane assist can support the driver with small steering interventions to stay on track in a lane. Audi side assist monitors the space behind the Q5 to support the driver in changing lanes.

The Q5 hybrid quattro, the first hybrid model from Audi, is designed as a highly efficient parallel hybrid. Propulsive power is supplied by a 2.0 TFSI with 155 kW and 350 Nm of torque as well as an electric motor with a peak output of 40 kW and peak torque of 210 Nm. Together, the two power sources can briefly output a system power of 180 kW and a system torque of 480 Nm.

The Audi Q5 hybrid quattro accelerates from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 7.1 seconds and can reach a top speed of 225 km/h. In pure electric mode, it can cover up to three kilometres at a constant speed of 60 km/h. In this mode, its top speed is 100 km/h, while its combined fuel consumption is just 6.9 litres per 100 km.

A highly modified eight-speed tiptronic transmission transfers engine power to the drivetrain without requiring a torque converter; its mounting space is taken by the electric motor, which is combined with a multi-plate clutch. The clutch engages and disengages the electric motor and the TFSI. A compact and lightweight lithium-ion battery system with 1.3 kWh energy capacity stores electrical energy. A complex air cooling system maintains battery temperatures within a suitable window.

The driver switches between the three driving modes with a button and with the tiptronic gear selection lever. The EV characteristic map prioritizes the electric drive, while the D mode efficiently controls both the internal combustion engine and electric motor. The S mode and the manual shift gate of the tiptronic are configured for a sporty style of driving.

Within these constraints, the hybrid control module chooses the best operating mode at any given time. The Audi Q5 hybrid quattro can be driven with just the TFSI, just the electric drive or in hybrid mode. It can also recover energy during deceleration, or it can boost output for powerful acceleration when both drives work together.

Outside, the Audi Q5 hybrid quattro can be recognized by its fully painted bumpers and by the hybrid-specific ten-arm turbine design of its wheels. 19-inch wheels are standard; 20-inch wheels are optional. Inside, special instruments display the hybrid’s operating state – such as the powermeter, which replaces the tachometer.

Full Australian details of the Audi Q5 including pricing, engine line-up, and specification details will be announced closer to launch.

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