Audi has updated one of its best selling models, the Q5, with revised styling and new technology. The new Q5 measures 19 mm longer, thanks to its new bumpers.
Its width (excluding mirrors) of 1.89 meters (1,890 mm) and height of 1.66 meters (1,660 mm) remain unchanged and so is the wheelbase of 2.82 meters (2,820 mm).
The revised styling features a new octagonal Singleframe grille that is shallower and appears wider than before, large air intakes, new LED signature for the running lights, new side sills, and a new diffuser-like insert for the rear bumper. Matrix LED headlights are available as an option. The advanced line package comes with chrome vertical ribs in the Singleframe, along with skid plates in silver instead of black. The S line comprises a sporty honeycomb in the Singleframe and a chrome strip on the rear bumper.
Two new colors ‘District Green’ and ‘Ultra Blue’ join the 12-color palette. There’s also a black trim package.
As standard, the new Q5 rides on 17-inch alloy wheels. The advanced line and S line come with 18-inch wheels, while up to 21-inch wheel designs are available in the options list.
The big update in terms of styling and technology is the optional OLED taillight cluster. Owners can choose from 3 different taillight signatures, with each one having its own animation for coming and leaving home.
The OLED taillights are also equipped with proximity sensors; when a pedestrian approaches a stationary Q5 from the rear to within less than 2 meters, all the OLED segments light up. When the Q5 starts to move, it returns to the original light signature.
The refreshed interior features the 3rd generation Modular Infotainment Platform (MIB 3), claimed to be 10 times more powerful than the MIB 2. The optional Audi virtual cockpit plus – a 12.3-inch digital display, comes with three different graphic layouts. A head-up display is also available as an option.
The central 10.1-inch MMI touch display is standard in the new Q5. It has got an updated, user-friendly menu structure. The driver can enter the characters manually or via voice control.
Other features include DAB+ digital radio, Amazon Alexa service, and Car-to-X services. As for safety and driver assistance systems, the Q5 comes with Audi pre sense city system as standard, which helps avoid collisions with road users in front of the vehicle or at least mitigate their consequences. Options include Turn Assist, Collision Avoidance Assist, Exit Warning, Adaptive Cruise Assist, and Predictive Efficiency Assist.
As for the suspension, the Q5 features multilink suspension front and rear. Buyers can go for the optional sports suspension. The standard suspension with steel springs is also available with damper control. Another option is the adaptive air suspension that can vary the ground clearance in five stages.
The options list also includes Audi dynamic steering, which can vary its ratio depending on the speed and steering angle.
Powertrains
Which then brings us to the business end of the story. At launch, there’ll be the Q5 40 TDI, featuring a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine developing 150 kW (204 hp) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque. The aluminum crankcase weighs approx. 20 kg (44 lbs) less than that of the previous engine, while the crankshaft is around 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) lighter, Audi said.
There’s also a 12-volt mild-hybrid system comprising a belt-driven starter/generator (BSG) and a compact lithium-ion battery. The system enables the Q5 to coast with the engine off and allows for start-stop mode at speeds below 22 km/h (13.7 mph).
The engine is paired with a 7-speed S tronic automatic transmission that drives all four wheels via quattro AWD system.
Two more variants of the 4-cylinder TDI, a V6 TDI, two 2.0L TFSI variants, and a plug-in hybrid variant will follow at a later date. The PHEV combines a 2.0L 4-cylinder TFSI with an electric motor that sits between the engine and transmission, producing a combined system output of about 367 hp and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque. The SQ5 carries over the 3.0L TFSI V6 engine with 354 hp and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque on offer.
The new Q5 will be built at the San José Chiapa plant in Mexico and will come to the international markets in fall 2020.
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