Audi updates top-selling Q5

Audi will defend its sales lead in the bustling mid-size luxury SUV segment with an updated Q5 that offers better fuel economy and performance, and unchanged prices for the volume-selling four-cylinder turbo-diesel and petrol models.

On sale now, the upgraded Q5 takes over from a vehicle that was introduced in Australia in early 2009 and has increased sales each year to the point it edges the A4 sedan as Audi’s top-selling model, and out-sells its nearest rivals in the BMW X3, Volvo XC60 and Range Rover Evoque.

Pricing for the updated Q5 starts at $62,200 for the 2.0-litre TDI turbo-diesel, which is expected to account for 40 per cent of sales.

Next up is the 2.0-litre TFSI at $62,900, which also has an unchanged price despite a significantly uprated engine and swapping from an S tronic dual-clutch transmission to an eight-speed auto. It is forecast to claim 25 per cent of sales.

Next in the pricing line-up is the 3.0-litre TFSI supercharged petrol V6, which is $1100 more expensive than the $73,000 3.2-lite naturally aspirated FSI it replaces.

Topping the range is the 3.0 TDI V6, which rises $500 to $75,500. It is expected to account for 25 per cent of sales, while the 3.0 TFSI will be the smallest seller, with 10 per cent of forecast volume.

Audi is claiming fuel economy and performance improvements across the board for its four drivetrains, which continue to couple with a full-time all-wheel drive system that runs a 40-60 front-rear static bias, but can shift up to 70 per cent of drive forward and 85 per cent to the rear wheels.

The star engine is Audi’s third-generation 2.0-litre turbo-petrol, which is making its global debut in the Q5. Power is up 10kW to 165kW, while torque is unchanged at 350Nm. Combined fuel economy drops 0.6L/100km to 7.9L/100km and CO2 emissions 15 grams to 184g CO2/km. The 2.0 TFSI accelerates to 100km/h in a claimed 7.1 seconds.

Technical highlights of the new DOHC 16-valve engine include the combination of part-throttle port-injection and heavy-throttle direct-injection to cut fuel consumption and emissions; variable valve timing on both inlets and exhaust, as well as exhaust valve lift control; electronic management of the wastegate of the variable-geometry turbo; an integrated exhaust manifold and a 7kg weight reduction.

Audi claims a 5kW power increase for the 2.0 TDI to 130kW, a 30Nm torque increase to 480Nm, a 0.7L/100km combined fuel consumption dip to 6.1L/100km, a 25g CO2 reduction to 159g CO2/km and a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 9.0 seconds. The 2.0 TDI continues to team with a seven-speed dual-clutch S tronic transmission.

The supercharged TFSI V6 adds only 1kW over the 3.2 to 200kW, but climbs 70Nm to 400Nm. Fuel consumption drops by 0.8L/100km to 8.5L/100km and CO2 emissions 19 grams to 199g CO2. At just 5.9 seconds, it is the fastest Q5 to 100km/h.

The blown V6 comes with a ZF eight-speed auto; both petrol engines adopt the torque converter auto because of S tronic supply shortages.

The 3.0 TDI climbs 4kW to 180kW and 80Nm to 580Nm, drops 1.1L/100km to 6.4L/100km, emits 30g less CO2/km at 169g/km and accelerates – via its seven-speed S tronic auto – to 100km/h in 6.5 seconds.

The Q5’s fuel economy savings, which are claimed to be as much as 15 per cent, have been aided by other features including the introduction of electro-mechanical power steering, idle-stop, an efficiency mode within the now-standard Drive Select system, and friction reduction and recalibration of the S tronic transmission.

Drive Select adjusts engine, steering, transmission, air-conditioning and cruise control performance parameters. It can also change active suspension and dynamic steering set-ups if optioned.

The introduction of electro-mechanical power steering is also part of a substantial chassis overhaul which includes revised springs, dampers and stabiliser bars and the shift of the four-cylinder models from 17-inch alloy wheels to the same 18-inch size the V6s already roll on.

Audi claims a significant equipment upgrade that is worth $6500 for the four-cylinder Q5s and $7000 for the V6s.

Additional 2.0-litre equipment includes Drive Select, tyre pressure monitoring, hold assist, a storage package for the boot, powered front seats include lumbar adjust, a convenience key, driver fatigue monitoring and the 18-inch alloys.

Additions exclusive to the V6 models include driver’s seat memory adjust, an exterior mirror package, a rear-view camera and MMI Navigation Plus.

Q5s already came with eight airbags, an electronic stability control system with off-road and roof-rack modes, leather trim, 10-speaker audio with sub-woofer, parking sensors, a power tailgate and the Audi music interface. Xenon headlights and three-zone climate-control were standard for the V6s.

One aspect of the new Q5 that doesn’t change much is styling. The grille is more chamfered and its vertical bars now chrome, but the fundamental curved five-door shape remains untouched. Inside there has been some refinement to controls and an attempt to lift an already high quality standard even further.

As per usual with the German luxury manufacturers, options abound. The Q5 can be dressed up with packs externally and internally and can have various driver assistance systems added, including active cruise control with low-speed braking capability below 30km/h.

Commendably Audi has chopped the cost of this option to $1550 and teamed it with pre-sense and active lane assist. Previously, ACC was a $2200 stand-alone item with a lower capability level.

One thing that doesn’t change is the high cost of metallic paint. When some other manufacturers are offering metallic as low or zero cost options, Audi continues to charge $1850.

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