|
The Q5 is the performance SUV from Audi. It combines the dynamism of a sports
sedan with a highly flexible interior and is equipped for a broad spectrum of
leisure activities and family life.
Body and interior
The Q5 is 4.63 meters (15.19 ft) long and 1.88 meters (6.17 ft) wide, but only
1.65 meters (5.41 ft) high – giving it the sportiest proportions in its field of direct
competitors. Additional remarkable figures include a drag coefficient of just 0.33
and a wheelbase measuring 2.81 meters (9.22 ft).
The design is elegant and sculptured. The side view is marked by large wheels
and ascending lines; the fluid roof contour emphasizes its lean appearance. The
wraparound tailgate and the hood consist of aluminum; the body primarily
incorporates high-strength and ultra-strong steel components – which, in turn,
reduce the car’s weight while enhancing its crash safety, rigidity, and vibrational
characteristics. There are three versions available for the add-on parts; Audi also
offers two appealing styling packages.
There is plenty of interior space and the luggage compartment’s base capacity of
540 liters (19.07 cubic ft) can be increased to an impressive 1,560 liters (55.09
cubic ft) by folding down the rear seat backs. Audi can also deliver an optional
rear bench seat, which features a load-through hatch and can be moved by
100 millimeters (3.94 in). There is also an optional folding seat back for the front
passenger’s seat. The front seats can optionally be adjusted, heated and cooled
electrically. 
Audi specifies six engines for the Q5: three petrol engines and three TDI units.
All engines are direct injection units; five of them are turbocharged. The torque of
the gasoline engines is boosted by the Audi valvelift system, which switches the
valve lift in two stages. The Q5 utilizes new technologies from Audi’s modular
efficiency platform. During deceleration, all versions of this SUV recover energy
via the alternator.
In conjunction with a manual transmission, the four-cylinder versions boast a
standard gear-change indicator which notifies the driver whenever it is sensible to
shift gears to conserve fuel.
The engines:
• 2.0 TFSI quattro with 132 kW (180 hp)
• 2.0 TFSI quattro with 155 kW (211 hp)
• 3.2 FSI quattro with 199 kW (270 hp)
• 2.0 TDI quattro with 105 kW (143 hp)
• 2.0 TDI quattro with 125 kW (170 hp)
• 3.0 TDI quattro with 176 kW (240 hp)
Audi fits the Q5 with the quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system as standard to
ensure sporty drive characteristics. A six-speed manual transmission is standard
for the four-cylinder versions; for the 2.0 TFSI (155 hp) and the 2.0 TDI (125 hp),
a seven-speed S tronic is optional. The dual-clutch S tronic transmission is
standard with the 3.2 FSI and the 3.0 TDI. 
The chassis similarly underscores the Audi Q5’s sporty personality. The direct
steering ratio closely bonds the driver and the road. The five-link front suspension
and the trapezoidal-link rear suspension consist largely of aluminum, and mighty
brakes ensure rapid deceleration. The Audi Q5 also holds its own in rough
terrain: the electronic stabilization program (ESP) and anti-lock brakes provide
modes tailored to offroading.
The ESP features a clever function for road driving. If a roof rack is mounted,
raising the center of gravity, then the system intervenes earlier at the vehicle’s
limits of handling to facilitate particularly dynamic characteristics. The optional
Audi drive select control system manages the engine’s throttle response, the
steering characteristics, and the S tronic transmission’s shift points. Two
components which can be paired are electronic damper control and Audi dynamic
steering. 
On request, Audi equips the Q5 with high-tech systems typical of the luxury class.
The Audi parking system advanced employs a reversing camera to aid the driver
in maneuvering, Audi lane assist helps the driver to stay in their lane, and Audi
side assist alerts the driver to potential hazards during a lane change. The
adaptive cruise control system keeps the performance SUV at a constant
distance from the vehicle ahead; the braking guard function alerts the driver to
the risk of a collision.
There is a similarly appealing range of multimedia components available. The
top-of-the-range specification – MMI navigation plus featuring a hard disk drive,
intelligent voice control, and a DVD drive – provides connection options for a
Bluetooth telephone, a TV tuner, a digital radio tuner, and a sound system from
Danish specialists Bang & Olufsen.
|