More power for Audi SQ5

Audi's popular SQ5 might already be Australia's quickest diesel SUV and the car-maker's most powerful six-cylinder diesel, but that hasn't stopped the German luxury brand giving it even more performance.

In fact, such is the demand for high-performance SUVs Down Under, that Audi Australia expects the new SQ5 'plus' to comprise 20 per cent of SQ5 sales, which themselves account for about 30 per cent of sales of the Q5 – Australia's top-selling mid-size premium SUV.

On sale now in addition to the standard SQ5 TDI quattro tiptronic, the SQ5 plus will be the final iteration of Audi's first Q5 before an all-new model appears later this year and arrives in local showrooms in 2017.

Priced at $108,900 plus on-road costs – making it $16,300 pricier than the standard SQ5 (from $92,600) – the plus version brings a claimed $13,000 worth of extra standard equipment on top of its engine upgrades.

The latter include a bigger fuel pump, new fuel injectors and revised engine calibration for the two-stage turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 diesel, upping fuel pressure from 2000 to 2100 bar as well as turbo boost pressure.

The result is 250kW of power over 4100-4300rpm (up from 240kW at a lower, broader 3900-4500rpm in the standard SQ5) and 700Nm of torque over 1500-2550rpm – up from 650Nm over a fatter 1450-2800rpm.

Despite the extra power and torque at higher revs, Audi claims the same 0-100km/h sprint time of 5.1 seconds (one-tenth quicker than BMW's bigger X6 M50d), the same 6.8L/100km combined fuel consumption and the same 180g/km CO2 emissions, but says in-gear flexibility is improved.

Fitted as standard with the eight-speed automatic transmission, the tweaked SQ5’s top speed (250km/h), kerb weight (2075kg) and towing capacity (2000kg) all remain unchanged over the regular SQ5.

Extra standard equipment includes, for the first time in the Q5 and exclusive to the SQ5 plus, Audi's latest quattro sport differential with active torque vectoring by braking, which actively distributes torque and can be adjusted via the Audi drive select function.

Other additional standard kit includes unique 20-inch alloy wheels, red brake callipers, specific quad exhaust outlets with centre clasp, and the same extended high-gloss black exterior package that's optional on the base SQ5 and includes a black grille, wing mirrors, diffuser, roof spoiler, upper door-handles and window surrounds.

Inside, there's an interior design package comprising unique fine Nappa leather with diamond-pattern contrasting stitching in dark silver, a leather-clad instrument binnacle and carbon-fibre inlays.

Extra safety gear includes Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), on top of eight airbags (including rear side airbags not offered on the BMW X3) and a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

A long options list includes metallic paint ($1850), Technology Package (Audi connect, Bang & Olufsen sound, digital radio, adaptive headlights and high-beam assist, $3100), panoramic sunroof ($3100), dynamic steering ($2400), digital TV ($2300), aluminium or Beaufort black oak inlays ($1650), a range of 20- and 21-inch wheels ($1500), privacy glass ($950), heated front seats ($800), luggage rail system ($450), heated/cooled cup-holders ($300) and rear-side sunblinds ($250).

"The instant affinity Australian performance car buyers had for the Audi SQ5 TDI was unprecedented,” said Audi Australia managing director Andrew Doyle.

"In 2013, we launched the SQ5 TDI as a totally new concept for our brand – a performance SUV. And its extraordinary success proves that it delivers on all of its promises: storming engine power, practical versatility, intelligent functionality and, most of all, the sophisticated sense of quality that makes an Audi distinctive.

“Quite simply, the new SQ5 TDI plus offers discerning buyers even more in all of those areas, and so we are very confident that it will find favour just as quickly."

Audi SQ5 pricing (plus ORCs):
SQ5 TDI quattro tiptronic -- $92,600
SQ5 TDI plus quattro tiptronic -- $108,900