Smaller shopping adventurer
July 17, 2008
What happens when a brand that's made its mark all-wheel-driving cars for enhanced on-seal dynamics puts out a model that outwardly seems to have some off-road capability?
That's a question to consider when Audi's new Q5 sports utility lands here next March.
By calling this billion dollar (because that's how much all-up costs came to) five-seat baby a "performance SUV", Ingolstadt seems to be emphasising the on-road dynamics of quattro rather than any bush-bashing credentials.
This might seem at odds with the marque's stated aim of creating a rival for the Land Rover Freelander, BMW X3 and even an in-house competitor, the Volkswagen Tiguan.
Actually, it's more an honest admission of its - and those cars - actual role, as 'dirt-tuned' social scene cruisers that never go near the mucky stuff.
Not that the Q5 is entirely ill-equipped for filthy work. Ride height, 60cms' river-wading ability and up-to-31 degree approach and departure angles are reasonable for this kind of car and there's an 'off-road' package with front and rear underbody protection. Hill descent control and air suspension will also be offered and The ESP and ABS have specific dirt settings.
Then again, it lacks the diff locking hardware VW options into the Tiguan and the footwear - 17-inch alloys are standard, but up to 20-inchers are optional - is entirely street-oriented.
The permanent four-wheel drive system is set up to transfer 60 percent of the engine's power to the rear wheels on normal roads. In 'extreme' - sorry, 'icky' - conditions it can swing to up to 65 percent of the power to front wheels or 85 percent to the rear.
European Motor Distributors has still to finalise the NZ specification, but we'd pick the importer will take interest in both diesel engines, each turbocharged and with direct fuel-injection, as well as the sole petrol.
Like Tiguan, Q5 can come with a 2.0-litre oiler but Audi's has more grunt - 350Nm and 125kW, against 320Nm and 102kW in VW form. Audi quotes 9.5 seconds for the 0-100kmh sprint and a top speed of 204kmh. Economy 6.7 litres/100km in the combined cycle.
It also employs a 3.0-litre V6 TDI developing a respectable 500Nm from just 1500rpm and 176kW. It'll crack 0-100kmh in 6.5s and hit 225kmh. The fuel burn average lifts to 7.5L/100km, which isn't exactly a bank-breaker either.
Also offered in right-hand-drive markets is Audi's staple 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engine making 350Nm and 155kW (0-100kmh in 7.2s, 222kmh), while a petrol 3.2-litre V6 (201kW/329Nm) seems reserved for North America. The platform is also capable of taking 4.2-litre V8. Phew!
The smaller petrol and both diesels drive through a seven-speed automated transmission. The 3.2-litre runs a six-speed.
Built off the same architecture as the A5 coupes and more recent A4 sedans, the Q5 is 4.63m long, 1.88m wide but only 1.65m high. Audi says this allows the sportiest proportions in its class. It shares no components with the Golf-based Tiguan, another excuse for ensuring a hefty premium over the mid-$50,000 and climbing Dub.
Looks are clearly inspired by the much larger, seven-seater Q7, hence the single-frame grille and LED daytime running lights. The wraparound tailgate, like the bonnet, is aluminium.
The interior is similarly Audi familiar, and top versions take MMI (multimedia interface) with satellite navigation. The top-of-the range MMI navigation plus system comes with a hard drive and DVD reader and Bluetooth.
An A4-derived option is a drive select control. This remaps accelerator pedal response, automatic transmission shift points, power steering boost, steering ratio and the stiffness of the electronically controlled shocks. The three settings provide for comfort, automatic or dynamic modes, while a fourth 'individual' selection, only available with full MMI, allows 24 parameters of further fine-tuning. On the off chance you might need 'em.
Other cost-extras are electronic damping control, adaptive steering, an active cruise control and the Tiguan's park assist, but with cameras to monitor the cars position within lane lines and side radar warns of overtaking vehicles.
Keyless access, tyre pressure monitoring, a large glass sunroof, three-zone aircon, power-adjustable seats that will heat and cool and adaptive headlights are all listed.
The rear seats fold flat to boost cargo capacity from 540 to 1560 litres. There's also a storage compartment under the boot floor.
What this means to you: Another new entrant for the school run.
That's a question to consider when Audi's new Q5 sports utility lands here next March.
By calling this billion dollar (because that's how much all-up costs came to) five-seat baby a "performance SUV", Ingolstadt seems to be emphasising the on-road dynamics of quattro rather than any bush-bashing credentials.
This might seem at odds with the marque's stated aim of creating a rival for the Land Rover Freelander, BMW X3 and even an in-house competitor, the Volkswagen Tiguan.
Actually, it's more an honest admission of its - and those cars - actual role, as 'dirt-tuned' social scene cruisers that never go near the mucky stuff.
Not that the Q5 is entirely ill-equipped for filthy work. Ride height, 60cms' river-wading ability and up-to-31 degree approach and departure angles are reasonable for this kind of car and there's an 'off-road' package with front and rear underbody protection. Hill descent control and air suspension will also be offered and The ESP and ABS have specific dirt settings.
Then again, it lacks the diff locking hardware VW options into the Tiguan and the footwear - 17-inch alloys are standard, but up to 20-inchers are optional - is entirely street-oriented.
The permanent four-wheel drive system is set up to transfer 60 percent of the engine's power to the rear wheels on normal roads. In 'extreme' - sorry, 'icky' - conditions it can swing to up to 65 percent of the power to front wheels or 85 percent to the rear.
European Motor Distributors has still to finalise the NZ specification, but we'd pick the importer will take interest in both diesel engines, each turbocharged and with direct fuel-injection, as well as the sole petrol.
Like Tiguan, Q5 can come with a 2.0-litre oiler but Audi's has more grunt - 350Nm and 125kW, against 320Nm and 102kW in VW form. Audi quotes 9.5 seconds for the 0-100kmh sprint and a top speed of 204kmh. Economy 6.7 litres/100km in the combined cycle.
It also employs a 3.0-litre V6 TDI developing a respectable 500Nm from just 1500rpm and 176kW. It'll crack 0-100kmh in 6.5s and hit 225kmh. The fuel burn average lifts to 7.5L/100km, which isn't exactly a bank-breaker either.
Also offered in right-hand-drive markets is Audi's staple 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engine making 350Nm and 155kW (0-100kmh in 7.2s, 222kmh), while a petrol 3.2-litre V6 (201kW/329Nm) seems reserved for North America. The platform is also capable of taking 4.2-litre V8. Phew!
The smaller petrol and both diesels drive through a seven-speed automated transmission. The 3.2-litre runs a six-speed.
Built off the same architecture as the A5 coupes and more recent A4 sedans, the Q5 is 4.63m long, 1.88m wide but only 1.65m high. Audi says this allows the sportiest proportions in its class. It shares no components with the Golf-based Tiguan, another excuse for ensuring a hefty premium over the mid-$50,000 and climbing Dub.
Looks are clearly inspired by the much larger, seven-seater Q7, hence the single-frame grille and LED daytime running lights. The wraparound tailgate, like the bonnet, is aluminium.
The interior is similarly Audi familiar, and top versions take MMI (multimedia interface) with satellite navigation. The top-of-the range MMI navigation plus system comes with a hard drive and DVD reader and Bluetooth.
An A4-derived option is a drive select control. This remaps accelerator pedal response, automatic transmission shift points, power steering boost, steering ratio and the stiffness of the electronically controlled shocks. The three settings provide for comfort, automatic or dynamic modes, while a fourth 'individual' selection, only available with full MMI, allows 24 parameters of further fine-tuning. On the off chance you might need 'em.
Other cost-extras are electronic damping control, adaptive steering, an active cruise control and the Tiguan's park assist, but with cameras to monitor the cars position within lane lines and side radar warns of overtaking vehicles.
Keyless access, tyre pressure monitoring, a large glass sunroof, three-zone aircon, power-adjustable seats that will heat and cool and adaptive headlights are all listed.
The rear seats fold flat to boost cargo capacity from 540 to 1560 litres. There's also a storage compartment under the boot floor.
What this means to you: Another new entrant for the school run.
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