DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: Audi SQ5 not for Oz

Audi has created a unique supercharged petrol-powered version of the SQ5 super-SUV for the US, Canada and China.

Unveiled overnight at the Detroit motor show, the hot new 260kW/470Nm SQ5 will not be sold in Australia, where the twin-turbo diesel-powered SQ5 goes on sale here in May.

Unlike the 230kW/650Nm SQ5 diesel, the petrol SQ5 draws its motivation from a 3.0-litre twin-intercooled supercharged V6 capable of propelling it to 100km/h in just 5.3 seconds – two-tenths later than the twin-turbo SQ5 diesel, which will be Audi’s quickest Q5 and the quickest diesel SUV on the market. Top speed is electronically capped at 250km/h.

Eclipsing the outputs of the S4 and S5, which employ a 245kW/440Nm version of the same supercharged V6, the SQ5 develops its maximum torque between 4000 and 4500rpm, while the full whack of kilowatts is delivered at a lofty 6500rpm.

As with the S4/S5, the supercharger is positioned downstream of the throttle valve, a move Audi says reduces the amount of parasitic drag it places on the engine, thus bolstering output at very low loads.

NEDC combined fuel consumption is listed at 8.5L/100km – almost 2.0L/100km more than the diesel SQ5, which Audi originally said would return 7.2L/100km.

However, the SQ5 diesel’s official fuel consumption figure has dropped to 6.8L/100km following testing, dropping below the luxury car tax’s 7.0L/100km ‘green’ exemption, meaning the LCT will be based on 33 per cent of the cost over $75,375, not $59,133.

As we’ve reported (http://www.carsales.com.au/news/2012/prestige-and-luxury/audi/sq5/audis-sq5-dollar-dazzler-34129), better than expected fuel consumption will therefore allow Audi to introduce its first S-badged SUV and first S-badged diesel priced from under $100,000. Audi expects the SQ5 to account for up to 20 per cetn of Q5 sales in Australia.

Like Europe’s and Australia’s SQ5 diesel, North America’s SQ5 will be available exclusively with a dual-mode eight-speed automatic transmission and quattro permanent all-wheel drive. Steering wheel-mounted paddle-shifters are also standard fare.

Compared to its donor sibling, the top-shelf Q5 features a 30mm reduction in ride height and firmer springs and dampers. Steering is of the electromechanical variety (with optional variable-ratio functionality), while brake calipers feature bold SQ5 badging.

The US SQ5 rides on 20-inch alloy wheels shod with 255/45 series rubber, with 21-inch wheels available optionally.

Other optional extras will include Xenon plus headlights, LED daytime running lights, a stainless steel load protector lip and a colour head-up information display.

“In just a few years, the Q5 has become the most sought [after] model in its category. To celebrate this, we decided to top the Q5 range with a version that has the genes of a sportscar. This is probably one of the coolest cars today in our portfolio,” said Audi board member and sales and marketing boss, Luca de Meo.

The SQ5 is slated for US delivery in the third quarter of this year.

More news and coverage of the 2013 Detroit Motor Show

Full gallery of 2013 Detroit Motor Show at motoring.com.au

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