Audi revives diesel-powered SQ5 TDI

AUDI Australia has served up a hot diesel-flavoured second course in its Q5 line-up with the oil-burning SQ5 flagship set to return to Aussie showrooms as of November in a new ‘Special Edition’ guise.

Priced from $104,900 plus on-road costs, the new SQ5 TDI Special Edition sits $3764 upstream of the regular petrol-powered SQ5 (TFSI), very nearly matching it in terms of kilowatts while dominating on torque.

Under the bonnet of the SQ5 TDI resides a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine developing 255kW of power and a potent 700Nm of torque between 2500-3100rpm.

For reference, the TFSI’s twin-turbocharged V6 develops 260kW/500Nm.

This mountain of power combined with the quattro all-wheel-drive system results in a 0-100km/h time of 5.1 seconds while the diesel fuel and 48V mild hybrid system lead to a combined fuel economy figure of 6.8L/100km.

As usual for a warmed-over Audi, transmission duties are taken care of by an eight-speed automatic transmission while the quattro system has been given a rear-biased tune in the name of dynamics with up to 85 per cent of torque able to be sent to the rear wheels.

Just like on the petrol model, adaptive suspension with damper control comes as standard while those chasing even more cornering ability can option a quattro sport differential.

Befitting of a range flagship, the SQ5 TDI comes dripping with standard equipment and safety kit, including a few extra goodies not found on the TFSI.

These extra trinkets comprise Matrix LED headlights, massage function for the front seats, carbon inlays on the interior trim and a black exterior package.

Other standard equipment includes Nappa leather sports seats (heated in the front), 30-colour ambient lighting, three-zone climate control, power tailgate, keyless entry and start, rear privacy glass, panoramic sunroof, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Audi virtual cockpit, 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system, wireless phone charging and head-up display.

Safety measures meanwhile autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, exterior mirrors with auto-dimming, adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist, active lane assist, rear cross-traffic assist, park assist, hill descent control, hold assist, surround-view monitor and reversing camera.

According to Audi Australia managing director Paul Sansom, “customers have yearned for the return” of the SQ5 TDI with the local subsidiary all too happy to address these calls.

“In 2013, the first SQ5 TDI established a new segment of performance SUVs and was incredibly popular throughout its lifetime: for a while it accounted for a third of all Q5 sales,” he said.

“We’re pleased to be able to meet their request, and anticipate this unique segment offering will repeat the success of its predecessor.”

With the facelifted model due to arrive here in February next year, Audi Australia has shifted 1975 Q5s so far this year ending August, accounting for 11.1 per cent of the $60,000-plus medium SUV segment.

2020 Audi SQ5 pricing*

*Excludes on-road costs