Audi Q5 now in SA

Audi SA has been, and will continue to be, on a new model offensive over the coming months. The latest addition to its local range is the all-new Audi Q5, which is available immediately in SUV and Sportback versions. We attended the SA national media ride-and-drive event to learn more.

To say that the Audi Q5 is an important new model for the brand is a bit of an understatement. Over the preceding two generations, 2,7 million units were sold worldwide. Those sales stats make it the best-selling Audi nameplate of all time, and that’s just in two generations. Just under 20k of that worldwide tally ended up in South African garages. So it’s no surprise that the brand is banking on the new Q5, or the fact that its range is largely populated by SUVs.

In fact, the Q3 was the first of the onslaught. Q5 adds to that list. Next year they will be joined by the latest versions of the Q7 and Q8 as well as the all-new Q9. The latter is a new addition to the worldwide line-up. You can see the largest member of the Q family at this link. Oh, and the new, hybridised RS5 is also on the cards.

New look in and out

The latest Q5 espouses the brand’s new design language, which we first saw on the smaller Audi Q3. That is to say it is a bit gentler, more rounded, less angular than before with slim head- and taillamps. It may be all new but the Q5 is instantly recognisable as an Audi, thanks to that large, drop-down grille and the latest version of the interlocking four-rings badge. Audi offers a multitude of alloy wheel designs for new buyers to choose from, up to 21 inches in diameter.

Audi is simultaneously introducing wagon/SUV and Sportback body styles. This gives buyers the option of either shape straight off the bat. However, the brand says historical data favours the swoopy roof rather than the traditional shape. That’s interesting as another German brand recently told us that coupe-esque versions don’t sell anywhere near as well as their ‘regular’ counterparts in its line-up. That would lead us to believe that Audi has captured this space well.

Under the skin is a new platform, called Premium Platform Combustion (PPC). This allows the adoption of new-gen powertrains. In addition, it allows for a high-tech interior treatment. Among the highlights in the cabin are twin digital screens, both housed within a curved panel, that really looks the part. Tick an options box and your front passenger can have their own display with specific Bluetooth connection.

Other changes inside include a panel of soft touch switches on the driver’s door handle that handle mirror adjustments and some lighting functions. Standard equipment across the range includes electrically adjustable front sport seats, tri-zone climate control, wireless smartphone charging and Audi connect services.

Powertrain options

Audi SA has chosen to offer the new Q5 range with one diesel and two petrol options. All engines are turbocharged units. There are, for now, no hybrid-powered versions or full EVs on the cards. The oil-burning motor, available exclusively in Sportback styles for now, delivers a healthy 150 kW/400 N.m. The four-cylinder petrol engine counters with 200 kW and 400 N.m. As expected, the diesel delivers a much more wallet friendly fuel consumption average of 5,1 L/100 km versus 8,1 for the turbopetrol.

At the top of the family is the high-performance SQ5. The range-leading bariant is powered by a 3,0-litre V6 that pumps out 270 kW and 550 N.m. This unit, like the others, boasts a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), for snappier shifts. All Q5 derivatives, regardless of engine or body style boast Audi’s renowned quattro all-wheel-drive system. See bottom of post for full range/powertrain breakdown along with pricing.

Launch drive

We got to experience each of the engines on offer at the national media launch. Our starting point was the turbodiesel-powered variant. The powerplant utilises Audi’s mild-hybrid tech. A small electric motor is powered by a 1,8 kWh battery. This unit allows one to set off on battery power alone, which is a neat trick for usually clattery diesel engines. When more power is called for the engine fires up to join the party. When both are called into full duty the electric drive unit adds 18 kW of additional power to the mix. We found this engine extremely refined and ideally suited to motorway driving. In fact, we may prefer it to its petrol twin.

We also experienced the four-cylinder petrol unit. 200 kW sounds like hot-hatch rivalling number, but in reality the vehicle’s mass and long gearing take away some of its edge. It’s by no means slow, just perhaps a tad more effort is required than the easygoing power delivery of the diesel powerplant, especially with its electric gizmos at play. The SQ5 is the most fun to drive, if that criterion high on your SUV-buying list. The V6 engine sounds creamy smooth as it forces you back into the seat, only fractionally punctuated by the snappy shifts of the DCT.

Audi Q5 Price

Powertrain	Trim	SUV	Sportback
2,0 TFSI 200 kW	Q5 S line	R1 295 000	R1 365 000
2,0 TFSI 200 kW	Q5 S line Black	R1 350 000	R1 420 000
V6 TFSI 270 kW	SQ5	R1 510 000	R1 580 000
V6 TFSI 270 kW	SQ5 Black	R1 565 000	R1 635 000
2,0 TDI 150 kW	Q5 S line	n/a	R1 275 000
2,0 TDI 150 kW	Q5 S line Black	n/a	R1 330 000