Second generation Q5 unveiled

There is no doubting the popularity of the SUV market globally, and since its first introduction, Audi’s mid-sized premium SUV, the Q5 has enjoyed enormous success in Australia and around the world.

Now Audi has taken the covers off the second generation of this tremendously versatile vehicle, the new model boasting an even sportier character and a raft of new technology and equipment to see it once again cement its position at the top of the segment.

“The first Audi Q5 was for many years the world's best-selling SUV in its class. It was no easy task to design its successor, but that is precisely why it is so very exciting,” said Rupert Stadler (pictured), Chairman of the Board of Management at AUDI AG at the unveiling of the new model in Paris overnight. 

“With the new Q5 we are setting the bar a notch higher. Among the great innovations are the quattro drive system with ultra technology, highly efficient engines, the air suspension with damper control and a comprehensive line-up of infotainment and assistance systems.” 

To be built at a newly constructed plant in Mexico, the new design is an evolution of the original Q5, yet with more flowing lines and a more sculptured finish. The new Singleframe grille treatment again dominates the front end, but is flatter than before, while the choice of LED or high-resolution Matrix LED lights give the new Q5 a distinctive look and presence. As with the headlights, the tail lights are also available with optional dynamic turn signals while the tailgate wraps around the C-pillars – a typical feature of the Q models from Audi. 

Although Australian specification is yet to be decided, at launch the new Q5 is offered in Europe in a range of colours (14 in all) with five different equipments lines – sport and design, the S line sport package, design selection and the S line exterior package – to allow owners to tailor the appearance and equipment to suit their needs and lifestyle. Wheels as standard are 17-inches with options available throughout several different design packages up to 21-inches.

In keeping with Audi’s design and construction ethos, the new Q5 is larger than its predecessor, yet has shed as much as 90kg through the implementation of the Audi ultra philosophy. Aerodynamics too have been improved (a CD of just 0.30) while occupants enjoy more space in the beautifully appointed cabin as well as greater storage capacity.

Powered to perform

The new Q5 will launch in Europe with four TDI powerplants and one TFSI, all boasting greater fuel efficiency and yet with up to 20kW more power. The three 2.0 TDI engines have outputs of 110kW, 120kW and 140kW, while the 3.0-litre TDI variant produces a massive 210kW of power and 620Nm of torque. The 2.0 TFSI tips the scales at 185kW yet consumes just 6.8 litres of fuel per 100km. 

These powerplants are mated to a newly developed drivetrain for the Q5, including a six-speed manual transmission, seven-speed S tronic and eight-speed tiptronic which will be offered on the 3.0 TDI. The automatic transmissions integrates a fuel-saving freewheel function which the driver controls by a selection lever or by shift paddles on the steering wheel.

quattro ultra

The new quattro drivetrain with ultra technology (recently released in Australia on the Audi A4 allroad quattro) is standard equipment for the 120kW and 140kW 2.0 TDI and the 2.0 TFSI but can also be ordered as an option for the entry-level diesel engine with 110kW. 

In the two front-wheel drive and quattro drive versions, torque vectoring gives handling a refined touch with intelligent software delivering a dynamic, precise and controllable driving experience. For the 3.0-litre V6 diesel, Audi will also offer an optional sport differential at the rear axle which distributes torque between the wheels as necessary – a new feature for the second generation Q5. 

A newly developed five-link suspension has been employed along with a new electromechanical power steering system and dynamic steering available as an option.Customers can choose from two extension stages of springs and damping. The chassis with damper control offers a very wide spread between comfort and dynamics, which the driver can select via Audi drive select. In addition to adjusting damper control, the new adaptive air suspension can vary ride height over five stages, while in the Audi Q5 3.0 TDI, these two systems and the sport differential are bundled into a new central chassis control unit. 

Department of the interior

Available with the Audi virtual cockpit as an option, the Q5 redefines luxury and the latest automotive technology. Audi’s MMI terminal in the middle console is the main command centre, conveniently located and intuitive to use, the touchpad integrated into the rotary pushbutton on the MMI touch recognises handwritten entries, while the new natural-language voice control function also recognises inputs from everyday speech. 

MMI navigation plus utilises the Audi connect module to integrate a LTE module and a Wi-Fi hotspot – allowing passengers go online with up to eight mobile devices. 

The new Audi Q5 also offers the multifunction steering wheel plus, as well as an optional head-up display to project important information onto the windscreen and allow the driver to keep tabs on what is going on without taking their eyes from the road.

Advanced technology

The new Q5 offers the Audi phone box to connect smartphones to the vehicle’s antenna for optimal reception quality as well as charging smartphones inductively according to the Qi standard. The stunning Bang & Olufsen Sound System with innovative 3D sound is available as an option as is the Audi tablet system for rear seat occupants.

A clever addition to the new Q5 is the ‘personal route assist’ function, where the navigation system learns the routes and destinations that the customer regularly selects. For as long as it is active, the system learns from the customer’s behaviour and uses this information to suggest optimised route planning for the next trip – even while navigation is inactive. 

Driver assistance and safety 

Needless to say the new Audi Q5 offers the most comprehensive array of driver assistance and safety systems, with three packages available to customers – Tour, City and Parking. 

The predictive efficiency assistant, adaptive cruise control (ACC) including traffic jam assist, Audi active lane assist and distance warning alerts have become the gold standard in vehicle systems. While cross traffic assist rear, exit warning system, collision avoidance assist and turn assist, pre sense system and park assist, as seen on Audi Q7 and Audi A4 also constitute part of the new Q5’s makeup.

Full Australian equipment and specification will be announced closer to the new Audi Q5 Australian release in 2017.