In this latest test drive, Richie Honein gets to experience what it feels like to sit in one of Audi’s most successful cars in recent years, the Q5 crossover SUV. Here’s all you need to know about the refreshed model from Audi for 2013.
The Audi Q5 is one of the most successful models offered by Audi in the Middle East. Now the mid-class SUV is even more attractive, efficient and sporty – adding many new solutions in design, infotainment, chassis and engines. The revised Audi Q5 is available in the Middle East as of now starting from USD 46,227 and USD 56,847 for the 2.0 TFSI and 3.0 TFSI respectively (GCC) including 5 years service and three years road side assistance.
The sporty design of the Q5 is now appearing in a meticulously revised and sharpened form. The single-frame grille, the bumpers, air inlets and front fog lights appear in a new look. The xenon plus headlights have a continuous strip of LED daytime running lights around the edge, similar to the tail lights at the rear.
In revising the Audi Q5, fuel economy was improved by up to 15 percent, despite power increases for most engines. For the Middle East a 2.0 TFSI and a 3.0 TFSI are available. Both engines are combined with an 8-speed tiptronic gearbox and quattro permanent four-wheel drive as a standard. Both engines combine direct fuel injection with turbocharging, and a start-stop system is also standard.
The 2.0 TFSI produces 225 hp, yet it has a combined fuel consumption of just 7.9 liters per 100 km with the tiptronic transmission. Offering even more performance is the new 3.0 TFSI – this supercharged V6 increases power output to 272 hp with 400 Nm of torque. It completes the sprint to highway speed in 5.9 seconds, a whole second less than its 3.2 FSI predecessor engine. Audi has also tuned the springs, shock absorbers and stabilizers for an even more balanced chassis.
The revised Audi Q5 also sets benchmarks in its class with its driver assistance systems. The new driver information system with rest recommendation is standard. The optional radar-based adaptive cruise control system regulates the distance to the vehicle ahead. The optional Audi active lane assist helps the driver to stay in lane, while Audi side assist monitors the space behind the vehicle.
In the infotainment area the media center has been improved in many aspects, including its voice control functionality. The new Bluetooth online car phone offers an integrated WLAN hotspot and includes services such as Google Earth images.
The workmanship quality of the Audi Q5 is top notch, and the interior has been further refined. Many of its controls, the panels on the center console and all steering wheel versions have been redesigned. MMI navigation plus now only requires four control keys, and its volume dial has a skip function.
The generous list of standard features includes: electric tailgate, xenon plus headlights with automatic range adjustment, driver information system with color display, Audi music interface, ISOFIX child seat mounting, electronically adjustable front seats and adjustable rear backrest, parking aid plus and electromechanical parking brake. For the 3.0 TFSI the panoramic glass roof, comfort key, Bang & Olufsen sound system and the parking aid plus with reversing camera are also standard. The 2.0 TFSI and 3.0 TFSI run on 18 and 19-inch aluminum wheels respectively. Wheels up to 20 inches are available as options.