Hi-po Audi SQ5 TDI updated, but down in power

The 2021 Audi SQ5 TDI has emerged with a range of styling, equipment and mechanical changes that should improve its standing against muscled-up versions of the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC.

Due in Australia in the second quarter of next year, the updated Audi SQ5 oil-burner is slightly down in the power stakes compared to the current model, dropping from 255kW to 251kW.

However, torque from its muscular 3.0-litre turbo-diesel V6 engine remains at 700Nm.

Despite the power cut, Audi claims the high-performance mid-size SUV can complete the 0-100km/h sprint in the same 5.1 seconds as the current Audi SQ5 TDI, which has only just returned to Aussie showrooms this month after a three-year hiatus, priced from $104,900 plus on-road costs.

Sporting a more aggressive design based on the heavily updated 2021 Audi Q5 that will start arriving in Australia from around February 2021, the new Audi SQ5 TDI features a more angular and larger grille flanked by bigger side air intakes and redesigned LED headlights.

New LED lights are also a feature at the rear – and come with optional Matrix OLEDs that have various interactive animated functions (strobing and flashing as a warning if other vehicles approach too quickly, for example) – while a resculpted bumper and quad exhaust outlets round out the rear-end treatment.

The SQ5 TDI will be sold alongside the petrol-engined version, which is similarly propelled by a 3.0-litre turbo V6 engine (260kW/500Nm).

The German car-maker is also studying an Audi RS Q5 super-SUV, understood to be powered by the same hardcore 2.9-litre turbo-petrol V6 (331kW/600Nm) as the Audi RS 4, but this model not been officially confirmed yet.

Power for the diesel-powered SQ5 is transferred to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, which splits torque 40:60 front to rear nominally, and can do 15:85 at full acceleration. Top speed remains electronically limited to 250km/h.

Engine modifications include adopting a water-to-air intercooler in lieu of the previous air-to-air unit and replacing the aluminium pistons for forged steel items to improve thermal dynamics.

Like the current version, the new Audi SQ5 TDI takes advantage of a 48-volt mild-hybrid system to reduce emissions and fuel consumption.

At its heart is an electric compressor that chimes in when the turbos aren’t getting enough exhaust gas to spool up, while a small lithium-ion battery and integrated belt alternator-starter can scavenge energy under deceleration.

Combined, these systems reduce fuel consumption by up to 0.7L/100km, Audi claims.

The updated SQ5 TDI gets a reworked cockpit, fitted with a larger 10.2-inch infotainment touch-screen system, up from the current 8.3-inch screen.

The infotainment unit is all-new, as is the input system, with the rotary dial and button abolished in favour of the touch-screen and verbal commands for menu navigation.

Audi says the more intuitive third-generation operating system is backed by more powerful processors to make everything run faster and look sharper, while the new set-up also creates more storage area between the front seats.

As with the current SQ5 TDI, heated and cooled Nappa leather sports seats with a massage function are part of the package, as is a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, or virtual cockpit as Audi calls it.