Beijing show: Mid-sized Audi SUV emerges on cue

AUDI has lifted the veil of secrecy from its all-new mid-sized crossover contender, the Q5, at the weekend’s Beijing motor show in China, where the ambitious German maker claimed its smallest SUV represents a “superior technology package” for both on and off-road driving.

Aimed directly at the likes of BMW’s X3 and Land Rover’s Freelander II, as well as compact luxury crossovers to come in Volvo’s XC60 and the Mercedes-Benz GLK, the Q5 may be smaller than Audi’s full-size Q7 seven-seater, but it is no compact SUV.

The Q5 was previewed by the Cross Coupe concept at the 2007 Shanghai motor show and will enter production this year ahead of an Australian release in late 2008.

Measuring an imposing 4.63 metres long and 1.88 metres wide and based on the bigger new A4/S5 platform, Audi says its 2.81-metre wheelbase, 1.65-metre height and 0.33Cd drag co-efficient are the longest, lowest and slipperiest in its class respectively.

Of course, the Q5 will also comes with full-time quattro all-wheel drive and Audi’s new seven-speed “S tronic” automatic transmission, which is based on the Volkswagen Group’s latest dual-clutch automated manual gearbox.

Claimed to be the sportiest SUV in its segment, the Q5 is clearly identifiable as a smaller sibling to the Q7 thanks to Audi’s now-trademark single-frame grille that separates a pair of A4-style headlights, which will be available with bi-Xenon main globes and LED daytime running lights. The tail-lights can also be optioned with LEDs.

Both the bonnet and top-hinged tailgate are aluminium and in Europe the Q5 will come with three external cladding choices – standard black, contrasting colour or body-colour.

In addition, on top of the more sporting “S line” body package, the Q5 will be available with an “off-road style package”, which comprises front and rear underbody protection and, strangely, larger 19-inch alloy wheels. The Q5 will come standard with 17-inch alloys with 235/65-section tyres, with wheel sizes of up to 20-inch available.

The long wheelbase is claimed to offer plenty of room for the Q5’s five occupants, while the rear seats feature angle-adjustable backrests. Cargo space expands from 540 to 1560 litres with the rea seats folded, and luggage options comprise a rail mounting kit, net partition and floor liner.

On what appears to be a plethora of options, at least in Europe, the Q5 will also be available with a 100mm-sliding second-row seat and a folding front passenger seat to improve interior storage options. At least it says “numerous” storage compartments, cup/bottle holders and power outlets will be standard.

Also standard will be an electromechanical parking brake, an “intelligent chip key”, climate-control air-conditioning, a large central monitor and a instrument cluster display screen that displays information including recommended gear selection. The Q5 will also offer a next-generation version of Audi’s intuitive MMI operating system.

One petrol and two engines will be available in Europe from launch, all of them featuring direct-injection and turbocharging. The 2.0 TSFI petrol four is all-new and features variable valve lift control to produce 155kW of power and 350Nm of torque from just 1500rpm, and extending to 4200rpm.

The Q5 2.0 TFSI hits 100km/h in a claimed 7.2 seconds, on its way to a 222km/h top speed, yet returns average claimed fuel consumption of just 8.5L/100km. No weight figures have been revealed.

The Q5’s 2.0 TDI features a new common-rail fuel-injection system and, like the TSFI petrol four, has two balance shafts and delivers 350Nm – this time between 1750 and 2500rpm. Audi says the entry-level Q5 diesel manages 125kW, returns 6.7L/100km, hits 100km/h in 9.5 seconds and is capable of 204km/h.

In somewhat of a surprise, the Q5 will also be released in six-cylinder 3.0 TDI diesel guise, powered by Audi’s gutsy 176kW/500Nm 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel, which returns peak torque between 1500 and 3000rpm, 6.5-second 0-100km/h acceleration, 7.7L/100km fuel consumption and a 225km/h top speed.

Only the 2.0 TDI will be mated to a six-speed manual transmission, with the 3.0 TDI and 2.0 TFSI scoring the seven-speed S tronic gearbox that offers full auto or manual driving modes – the latter via rocker switches on the steering wheel. The Q5’s default torque split is rear-biased at 40/60 front/rear, but its quattro driveline can send up to 65 and 85 per cent of torque to both the front and rear respectively if required.

Interestingly, the Q5’s ESP stability control system intervenes earlier if it detects the fitment of roof-racks, which are rated for loads of up to 100kg.

The Q5 also comes standard with hill descent control (for speeds below 30km/h), offers a 2000kg towing capacity and its ABS system is claimed to differentiate between tarmac, sand, gravel or even loose rock surfaces.

Other off-road features include the ability to scale inclines of up to 31 degrees, the ability to ford up to 500mm of water and ground clearance of 200mm. There’s also a 25-degree approach angle and a 17.5-degree ramp-over angle, though no departure angle is given.

An eight-speaker sound system will be standard fare, but the extensive options list in Europe will comprise a Bluetooth telephone, DVD drive, TV tuner, voice activation, iPod interface, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, rear-view camera, triple-zone climate-control, tyre pressure monitoring, keyless starting, a panoramic glass sunroof, dynamic cornering lights, a powered tailgate, heated/ventilated front seats, adaptive (radar) cruise control and Audi’s lane departure warning system.

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