Sportback style for Audi Q5

It was only a matter of time before the brand’s best selling luxury SUV, the Audi Q5, received the ‘Sportback’ treatment, and from first glance it’s a perfect fit. Expected to arrive Down Under in the second half of next year, the all-new Audi Q5 Sportback will join the Audi Q3 Sportback and RS Q3 Sportback which arrived this year, bringing that coupe-like styling to the Audi Q ranks for the first time. In fact you could reasonably argue that the Audi Q8 models comfortably fit in that group as well despite the absence of ‘Sportback’ from their model designations.

The arrival of the Q5 Sportback brings that irresistible combination of a luxury SUV that boasts both the everyday practicality and the style of a coupe to the mid-sized ranks. The Audi Q5 has been a tremendous success since it first made its appearance in 2009 and the addition of a Sportback model adds a whole new dimension to the model range.

The underlying Q5 architecture is obvious, but the steeply sloping roofline changes the character of the vehicle completely. Measuring 4.69 metres in length, the Q5 Sportback is just seven millimetres longer than its SUV stablemate, while its height and width are the same. With a wheelbase measuring 2.82 metres, interior space is considerable despite a slight reduction in rear storage as a result of the raked roofline, which nevertheless offers 510 litres of luggage space available with five adults on board, or 570 litres if you take advantage of the rear seat bench plus, which is multi-adjustable and can be slid forward.

Fold the rear seats fully forward and the luggage space increases to a cavernous 1480 litres, which can be accessed with a simple foot gesture from the outside when used in conjunction with the convenience key.

Of course if you find yourself in need of even greater storage potential, the Q5 Sportback can be ordered with roof rails to carry equipment aloft, or for those opting for the 2.0-litre 150kW TDI powerplant, a towing capacity of up to 2.4 tonnes opens up a whole realm of possibilities. But more on power plants shortly.

Like the Q5 SUV, the latest rear OLED lighting technology will be offered on the Q5 Sportback, with rear lights made up of three organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) creating not only more vivid and defined light, but also allowing for different light signatures as well as the ‘dynamic’ graphic which flashes all of the OLED segments in warning if a vehicles gets within two metres of the rear of the vehicle.

Now in terms of powerplant, the aforementioned 2.0 TDI engine with 150kW of power and 400Nm of torque will power the Q5 Sportback at launch, mated to a seven-speed S tronic transmission and with quattro ultra technology. This engine also features the now familiar mild hybrid technology for enhanced efficiency, as well as a double AdBlue injection system to further reduce emissions.

Although Australian specification will not be announced until closer to the vehicle’s local release, in Europe, Audi will also add a second 2.0-litre TDI powerplant, as well as a V6 TDI unit and two TFSI units to the range, along with two plug-in hybrid variants. And yes, lovers of high performance will not be disappointed with an SQ5 Sportback slated to also join the model range.

The Q5 Sportback will ride on wheels measuring anything from 18- to 21-inches, again depending on final specification, while suspension offerings will include sport suspension with controlled dampers or Audi’s adaptive air suspension which can adjust ride height by up to 60mm, delivering as much as 45mm of ground clearance for greater versatility in a variety of situations. This same system also lowers the body by 15mm for greater stability at speed and even at a standstill, the system can be used to lower the rear axle by 55mm with a button located in the luggage area to make loading and unloading ever easier.

For the driver and passengers, the Q5 Sportback boasts all of the comfort and appointment of the its SUV sibling, with a beautifully finished interior, boasting all of the latest automotive technology and leading-edge connectivity.

From the Audi virtual cockpit plus with 12.3-inch display to the MMI Navigation plus system with 10.1-inch touch screen, technology has been seamlessly integrated for ease of use and to compliment the interior design.

The driver is also able to control a range of functions with the multi-function wheel, keeping their eyes on the road, while the addition of a head-up display further adds to the convenience and safety. Of course natural language voice control makes things even easier, and with the likes of Audi phone boxing the Bang & Olufsen sound system available, the Q5 Sportback offers all of the luxury customers have come to know in the Q5 range.

That extends to the generous offering of safety and driver assistance systems which range from adaptive cruise control to predictive efficiency, Audi pre sense city, turn assist and exit warning systems to name just a few.

When it arrives in the second half of next year, the Q5 Sportback will undoubtedly continue the success story of the Q5 SUV and SQ5 models, bringing that distinctive Audi styling element to the mid-sized luxury ranks for the first time.