As the first Audi ‘Q’ model ever to wear the coveted ’S’ badge, the SQ5 has built an enviable reputation and following as the performance model of the Q5 family. And while the SQ5 has undergone considerable refinement over the years, that reputation for performance in a practical, luxurious mid-sized SUV has not only remained but been enhanced with each new model.

The incoming SQ5 TFSI further builds on those performance and versatility credentials, due in no small part to the use of the brand’s latest MHEV plus technology. This 48-volt mild hybrid system uses a powertrain generator as an electric supplement to the vehicle’s impressive 3.0-litre, twin turbo V6 engine, resulting in a range of benefits, from near instantaneous power delivery, to limited all-electric driving as well as fuel and emissions reduction.

The SQ5 is not a plug-in hybrid, but rather it utilises a compact, water-cooled 48-volt battery situated under the vehicle’s rear storage area and an innovative powertrain generator capable of outputting up to 18kW of output and 230Nm of torque.

This means that at low speeds and with low loads, the SQ5 is able to drive seamlessly on purely electric power – with whisper quiet operation the only telltale sign. It also offers recuperation with up to 25kW, the belt-driven starter alternator able to take over the recuperation depending on the situation.

Off the line, the system provides the instantaneous power delivery characteristic of all-electric drive, before ‘handing over’ to the petrol engine, again seamlessly, once underway. But even at cruising speeds, the system allows the combustion engine to be shut down for extended periods, for further fuel savings. Yet when called on, the system can even be used to boost the overall power output by up to 18kW.

The combination is potent and gives the SQ5 tremendous versatility and even smoother operation. As smooth as it it, the SQ5 remains a true performance vehicle, with its 270kW output and 550Nm of torque between 1700 and 4000rpm able to see off the 0 to 100km/h sprint in a mere 4.5 seconds. And yet the SQ5 is also capable of returning 6.6L/100km and generates CO2 emissions of just 172 grams per km. Perhaps just as importantly, the MHEV plus technology is ‘invisible’ technology in that it undetectable to the driver and yet the benefits are felt in the vehicle’s responsiveness and seen in its increased economy.