Audi SQ5 confirmed for July launch
Performance SUV to join second-generation Q5 range in showrooms a month laterAudi has confirmed the hero performance model of its new Q5 line-up, the SQ5, will launch in Australia as early as July, hot on the heels of the core range that becomes available in June.
Revealed at the Detroit motor show in January, the new SQ5 is powered by the same 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol V6 as the S4 sport sedan, delivering 260kW and 500Nm.
This will be the first time Audi Australia has sold the SQ5 with a petrol engine, the last SQ5 plus model featuring a potent 3.0-litre turbo-diesel which produced 250kW and 700Nm.
While the all-new SQ5 will also be available globally with a diesel engine, there’s no word yet on if and when that will join the local line-up.
Diesel fans are, however well catered for in the standard Q5 line-up, with the most affordable ‘design’ model available only with a 140kW 2.0-litre TDI turbo-diesel engine.
The same engine features in the high-specification ‘sport’ model which can also be specified with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol TFSI engine.
Details of the all-new Q5 range were revealed at a preview drive event in Canberra this week, when the expected volume-seller, the Q5 sport 2.0 TDI quattro, was showcased in a short drive.
Audi Australia's Peter Strudwicke the Q5 has been one of the company's biggest sellers in Australia, with close to 24,000 units sold since the car’s launch in 2009.
“Q5 has been a huge success story for us. It really has hit the sweet spot in terms of a car which is both premium and versatile. The SUV segment in Australia has been on the increase for a number of years and Q5 came along at the right time to meet that demand.”
Some Q5 buyers enjoyed their cars so much they are already on their third, and Audi says it has increased the new model's specification to keep them interested.
“They love the combination of practicality and refinement, and its performance, technology and quality. With the new car it was important that we take all of those attributes and enhance them with all the latest technologies.”
The new Audi Q5 will soon be available for customer test drives.
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