Audi Q5, SQ5, SQ7 Black Editions arrive

Audi has unleashed a range of 'Black Edition' variants for its Q5 and Q7 SUVs in order to rekindle interest in its SUV range.

The new Black Edition models offer enhanced equipment levels, with bigger alloy wheels, more standard equipment, metallic paint and high-gloss exterior finishes – in black, naturally.

Kicking off the range at $80,300, the Audi Q5 Black Edition quattro tiptronic adds around $12,000 of extra value according to Audi (although the sticker price is up by $8000). It starts with big 21-inch alloy wheels -- the first time these have been offered on an Audi Q5.

Other extras include metallic paint, an S line exterior body kit complete with illuminated S line front door sills. Black mirrors and roof rails are included, as are tinted windows (privacy glass in Audi-speak).

The cabin of the Audi Q5 Black Edition includes ambient lighting with 30 different colours, heated front seats and a sporty flat-bottom steering wheel decked out with lots of control buttons and dials.

The Audi Q5 Black Edition is available with the 45 TFSI (185kW) 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine or the 50 TDI (210kW) 3.0-litre turbo-diesel motor. See the full price list below.

As well as the kit mentioned above, the Audi SQ5 Black Edition ($108,200) brings a Bang & Olufsen 3D audio system to the table, along with a head-up display and extended upholstery package, adding what Audi says is around $13,000 of extra value.

That vehicle is propelled by the lusty 3.0-litre turbo V6 that pumps out 260kW and propels the SQ5 to 100km/h in 5.4 seconds.

Then there's the big kahuna, the triple-turbo diesel V8-powered Audi SQ7 Black Edition ($174,900). The bristling 320kW/900Nm vehicle is claimed to add $17,000 worth of extra goodies such as 22-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof and high-end seats upholstery with diamond quilting.

Carbon-fibre mirror housings and interior inlays add a bit of motorsport glitz, while high-gloss titanium black exterior accents and metallic paint finish off the package.

While Audi claims the cars bring between $12,000 and $17,000 of extra value, it should be noted that the base price of all these models is significantly higher than their donor cars, up by between $8000, $9000 and $13,000 for the Q5, SQ5 and SQ7 respectively.

The real savings therefore equate to around $4000 apiece.

Sales of the Audi Q5 have dipped by just over 20 per cent for the first three months of 2019, from 1173 in 2018 to 936 this year.

The Q7 has slumped by 88 per cent for the same period -- down from 614 units in 2018 to just 73 sales for the same three months of 2019.

How much do the new Audi Black Edition SUVs cost?
Q5 Black Edition sport 45 TFSI -- $80,300
Q5 Black Edition sport 50 TDI -- $90,900
SQ5 Black Edition TFSI -- $108,200
SQ7 Black Edition TDI -- $174,900

* Prices exclude on-road costs