The Q5 will enter its second term from January 2017. The Ingolstadt-based company built a new production facility in San José Chiapa / Mexico specifically for this purpose. The modern factory was built on an area of 460 hectares with an investment volume of one billion euros. Around 2016 people will be working there by the end of 4.200. The capacity of 150.000 vehicles per year is to be achieved as early as 2017. With around 180 selected suppliers, Audi generates more than 65 percent from local added value. The second generation of the Q5 follows in big footsteps, because when the first generation went on sale in 2008, Audi has brought around 1,6 million vehicles to its customers to date. If the SUV has not changed much in terms of design, it comes up with some new technologies. In addition to the optimized driver assistance systems, its all-wheel drive will also play an important role in the next Q5 generation. Four TDI and one TFSI units are available to start with. The Bavarian will find its price debut at 41.500 euros, although the exact prices have not yet been determined.
The new Audi Q5 in the driving report
Upper Bavarian technology carrier with a lot of SUV
Even at the first presentation at Auto China in Beijing in 2008 and its market launch four months later, it was clear that this Q5 will be an SUV for discerning customers. Compared to its predecessor, the Q5 has grown in almost all dimensions. 4,66 meters long, 1,89 meters wide, 1,66 meters high and 2,82 meters wheelbase make it very wide and massive on the road. The wedge-shaped headlights with Matrix LED technology, the high-positioned radiator grille, the large air inlets and the diffuser insert that integrate the tailpipes of the exhaust system are striking. Its overhangs at the front and rear are kept short and the 208 millimeters of ground clearance allow the mid-range SUV to effortlessly not only drive up and down roads, especially off-road. The aerodynamically optimized roof pushes its CwValue on 0,30, which clearly affects the consumption levels. The combined fuel consumption of the 2.0 TFSI with 185 kW presented by 6,8 liters can not be tested on the day of the event. For the first test drives we had the complete range of engines in the hinterland of San José del Capos in Mexico available.
Virtual cockpit optional
As already presented in previous Audi models, the optionally available Virtual Cockpit with its 5 inch large screen stands out in the new Q12,3 as soon as we sit in the driver's seat for the first time. You can choose between two presentations directly in front of the driver, which on the one hand represent the large circular instruments in a classic way, on the other hand the navigation chart or lists. For a brief moment, after switching to the on-board computer, there is a flood of information that can generally be divided individually. After initial modifications, which we have adjusted according to our needs, the field of work in the large SUV nevertheless never seems to be overloaded. The optionally optional head-up display projects the most important information such as navigation data, current speed information and warnings on the windshield. A permanently installed SIM card that can be activated for 3 months or 3 years is part of the Audi Connect system. After the respective term a further activation for 3 years for an option price of € 350 suggests. Passengers in both the front and rear seats enjoy seating comfort with generous leg room. The high seating position, which of course also prevails in the Q5, offers a comfortable all-round view. The trunk volume was improved as in the outer dimensions. Accordingly, the storage room holds in full seating 550 liter. When folded rear seats then 1.550 liters are sufficient for a purchase at the hardware store safely.
3.o liter V6 is also included
At the start of sales, the Upper Bavarian is presented quite clearly with an engine range of four diesels (TDI) and one gasoline engine (TFSI). “Charging replaces displacement” remains the rightsizing philosophy of the engineers from Ingolstadt. The 2.0 TFSI four-cylinder with an output level of 185 kW (252 PS - 370 Newton meters of torque) is combined with both a six-speed manual transmission and an “s tronic” seven-speed dual clutch transmission. The 2.0 TDI unit with the output levels 110 kW (150 PS - 320 Nm), 120 kW (163 PS - 400 Nm) and 140 kW (190 PS - 400 Nm) will be available with both transmissions. Only the 3.0 TDI diesel (210 kW / 286 PS - 620 Nm) has an eight-stage Tiptronic transmission. The engines we drove were exclusively equipped with s-tronic or Tiptronic transmissions, whose directly appealing and sporty, agile performance always attracted positive attention. In addition, the automatic transmissions integrate a fuel-saving freewheel function. This is controlled with a selector lever or gearshift paddle on the steering wheel, in both cases the signal transmission is electronic.
Revised Audi drive select
The customization options of the Q5 are not limited to the choice of engine, power and transmission. From 2017, the Audi customer can fall back on four different running gears. The standard equipment includes the conventional steel spring suspension with a five-link suspension front and rear and a related lower center of gravity. Optionally available is an "Adaptive Air Suspension" suspension with damper control for all Quattro variants, a sports suspension or the newly revised "Audi drive select" vehicle dynamics system. With the "drive select" the options "off-road" and "all-road" are added in addition to the well-known modes "comfort", "dynamics", "car" and "efficiency". The chassis with adaptive damper control sets the vehicle lower than the steel suspension by 22 millimeters. In the "Offroad" mode of the "drive select", the setup 45 millimeters is above the normal level up to 35 km / h speed. In "Allroad" mode it is still 25 millimeters at a speed of up to 80 km / h. In an offroad track selected by Audi we were allowed to test the different settings sufficiently, while the off-road SUV was supported by the new development of an electromechanical power steering (optional dynamic steering) never reaches its limits.
New, quattro ultra
The quattro drive, which has been known for decades, enters the next generation with the new Q5. The 110 TDI with 150 kW and 2.0 kW power output as well as the 120 petrol engine with 140 kW are fitted as standard with the quattro drive's ultra-technology for the entry-level diesel (2.0 kW / 185 PS). Its principle is to disconnect the rear axle drive whenever it is not needed. The connection of the rear axle drive is then proactive again. The new concept aims to increase efficiency without sacrificing traction and driving dynamics. Both the front and the quattro drive, the wheel-selective torque control gives the handling the last subtleties. The 3.0 liter diesel is delivered on request with a sport differential on the rear axle, which distributes the forces between the wheels if necessary.
More than 20 driver assistance systems
In Ingolstadt's development center, the subject of safety and driver assistance systems is very important. With the conscious combination of the systems, Audi would like to take another step towards piloted driving. All the individual systems in the group are combined under the “Tour”, “City” and “Parking” packages. Audi drivers can find support in saving fuel in the predictive efficiency assistant, which provides them with targeted information about the immediate area. In cooperation with the traffic jam assistant and the adaptive cruise control system, some steering work is carried out in slow-moving traffic. The active lane departure warning at least makes it easier to get into the lane. New in the list of systems are the rear cross-traffic assistant, the exit warning, the evasive assistant and the turning assistant. The standard scope of delivery includes the Audi pre sense city, which warns of pedestrians and vehicles and initiates automatic emergency braking within the system limits. The offer is completed by the parking assistant, the camera-based traffic sign recognition and the hill descent assistant.
No prices yet
The Ingolstadt-based carmaker does not provide more information than the market launch and the absolute entry price for the driving presentation. The first orders can be placed from January 2017. The corresponding deliveries will then begin in the following months from Mexico, where the new Q5 will be produced in the future. The base price of the Q5 is 41.500 euros.
Conclusion: The bar was raised by Audi in every respect again
The Q5 will be the first choice when buying a premium SUV for the more discerning customer, the off-roader and the young family. Driving pleasure and good utility lead the sales arguments. He sets the benchmark for safety and driver assistance systems as well as drive variants in his segment at the top.
More SUV and technology is not currently possible, so it is the best possible option.
[=” ” ]Text and image: Stefan Beckmann – Featured image: Tobias Sagmeister (Photo Credit – Audi AG)