Audi Q5 scores twin-turbo diesel S treatment

Audi has used this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours endurance classic to unveil the bullocking new twin-turbo diesel-powered SQ5 – its first diesel-fuelled S model and first S-badged SUV.

Based on the facelifted version of Australia’s second best selling luxury SUV last year, which goes on sale here later this year, the SQ5 draws its power from the same 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 diesel engine that was launched recently in the A7 Sportback.

The SQ5, which hits European showrooms early next year but is not yet confirmed for Australian release, produces a mammoth 230kW of power and no less than 650Nm of torque to launch the mid-size Q5 crossover wagon to 100km/h in a sportscar-like 5.1 seconds and an electronically limited 250km/h top speed.

Despite its pace and the fitment of Audi’s quattro permanent all-wheel drive system, the SQ5 employs an eight-speed automatic transmission with idle-stop technology to return average fuel consumption as low as 7.2L/100km, which makes it only slightly thirstier than the A7 3.0 TDI biturbo.

While 30mm-lower sports-tuned suspension and standard 20-inch alloy wheels are fitted, an array of S Line upgrades also adorn the SQ5, including more aggressive front and rear bumpers, S-badged black brake callipers and a platinum grey grille.

The SQ5 represents the first S-badged SUV and the first S-badged diesel model from Audi, but it is far from the first high-performance diesel model from the premium German brand.

Audi has long offered performance-oriented diesel passenger cars in its range and - in addition to the Q7 4.2 TDI, which costs $127,814 and comes with a 250kW/800Nm V8 diesel engine – the Q7 is also available with a mighty 5.9-litre V12 diesel engine that churns out no less than 368kW and 1000Nm

Audi’s 12-cylinder oil-burner propels the 2665kg Q7 V12 TDI ($254,814) to 100km/h in 5.5 seconds while being able to return combined consumption of 11.3L/100km, but the lighter and less powerful SQ5 is not only quicker but more fuel efficient.

Of course, the SQ5 will take its place at the top of the Q5 range, which is currently crowned by the Q5 3.0 TDI quattro that costs $75,500 and comes with a 176kW/500Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel.

BMW offers M-badged X5 and X6 models and will soon make both models available here with a new tri-turbo diesel six, but so far has no direct answer for the SQ5 in the form an X3 M.

In Australia, Mercedes-Benz – which once produced a diesel-powered AMG model that wasn’t sold here - sells AMG-fettled M-Class, G-Class and, soon, GL-Class SUVs, but does not yet offer the Q5-rivalling GLK.

The SQ5 is unlikely to be the last S-badged SUV from Audi either, with speculation increasing that its RS passenger car range – including the RS5 and TT-RS coupes, the upcoming new RS4 Avant and the overseas-only RS3 – will soon be joined by a production version of the wild Q3 RS concept.

While the Q3 RS would be positioned above the current Q3 2.0 TDI flagship ($54,500) and will most likely be powered by the 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo-petrol engine from the TT-RS, a top-shelf RS version of the Q5 could also eventuate.

Supplies of Audi’s hot RS models have always been limited because only one model line was produced at a time, but the Volkswagen luxury brand’s SUV performance push could change that.

Although the SQ5 may also make way for other S and RS-badged diesel models – including SUVs – Audi will follow luxury rivals Lexus and BMW when it comes to offering hybrid power in Australia, where there continues to be no right-hand drive version of the Q5 hybrid in sight.

Audi became the first brand to win the gruelling Le Mans 24-hour sportscar race with a hybrid vehicle on the weekend, with the 3.7-litre V6 diesel-electric R18 e-tron quattro racer claiming pole position and the top two finishing positions.

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