Small Audi SUV
After showing off its Cross Coupe Concept at the Beijing auto show last year, Audi has just unveiled the production Q5. The Audi Q5 is a compact crossover, a small SUV in the mould of the BMW X3.
The Audi Q5 - which will be built in both Germany and, yes, China. The car sits on the same platform as the A5 and A4, which means, it has a longer wheelbase and lower overall height than most of the small soft-road crowd. It's a far more understated creature than its big brother, the Audi Q7. Although it retains the same trapezoidal grille up front, the Q5 doesn't look half as keen to devour unwitting pedestrians!
The Q5 will launch with a choice of three engines: a two-litre turbo diesel, a lively sounding two-litre TFSI petrol engine and the range-topping 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel. The latter develops 237 bhp but a whopping 369lb ft of torque, which will see the Q5 to 62 mph in 6.2 seconds and on to 139 mph while returning 36.6 mpg. It'll also come with the option of Audi's new seven-speed S-tronic gearbox. Although the Q5 is the first car to get the twin-clutch transmission, expect to see it pop up elsewhere very soon.
As one would expect from Audi, the Q5 gets permanent four-wheel drive, with 60 per cent of the torque feeding through the rear wheels in normal driving conditions - 'for a rear-focussed style that enhances driving pleasure', according to Audi - but can vary the front/rear bias depending on road conditions. For off-road conditions, Audi claims the Q5 will do the business on the muddy stuff, too, and says the car will climb slopes of 31 degrees and cross streams half a metre deep.
Audi’s aim is to make driving an unforgettable experience – only special things are remembered. With their understated luxury, Audis have a reputation as a driver’s car. Their performance on the racetrack is legendary. The new Audi Q5 fills another gap in the ever expanding luxury SUV car market. With the price of fuel increasing at an alarming rate, coupled with the need for fuel efficient greener vehicles, the Q5 is destined to become popular as long wheelbase stretched luxury limo? HireLimos can find out for you.
