Audi Q5 2.0 TFSi
Maxabout Review
Baby Q7
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The New Audi Q5 combines the dynamism of a sports sedan with highly variable interior and versatile options for leisure-time and family use. Strong and efficient engines, quattro permanent all-wheel drive and agile running gear have been brought together to create a superior technology package for both on- and off-road driving.
Design & Styling
Q5 is a very handsome, even pretty, vehicle, with good proportions and exquisite detailing in items like the LED headlights and taillamps. Audi's modern, so-called shield grille dominates the front-end styling, and it makes for a very attractive face. With its sporty elegance and artfully sculpted forms, the design of the Q5 is perfectly in tune with the character of Audi as a brand. The front end is dominated by expressive headlights on both sides of the large single-frame grille; on request, they can be outfitted with bi-xenon lamps and LED daytime running lights. Viewed from the side, the large wheels and rising edges are especially prominent features.
The elegant slope of the roof underscores the slim, coupe-like styling. At the rear, the wraparound tailgate – made from aluminum just like the hood whichclearly identifies this SUV as a relative of its older brother, the Audi Q7. The taillights are available in eye-catching LED technology as well.
Driving, Comfort & Features
If you want an off-roader that handles like a hatchback, the Q5 is the car for you. There's immense grip, solid body control and nicely weighted steering, so you'll have more fun driving it than you will any other car in the class. However, the payoff for this ability is a ride so firm that it will jiggle all the enthusiasm out of you before you've reached your favourite back road. That's not good in something that will be used as a family car.
Whichever version you choose, the Q5 offers a very quiet way to travel. You hear a smattering of wind- and road noise, but not enough of either to upset you. The engines are wonderfully refined, too. The diesels are smooth and quiet, while the petrol gives off a pleasing rasp when you accelerate hard.
You get the commanding driving position that 4x4 buyers like, and because the dash comes from the A4, it's clear and easy to use. There's Audi's intuitive MMI central controller, too. Audi admits 'sporty' looks were a priority with the Q5, but this doesn't impinge on practicality. There's plenty of room for four adults and still room for 540 litres of luggage, which is virtually trebled with the rear seats down. The rear seats fold and recline, and there's the option of runners that gives them 100mm of fore and aft travel. A folding front passenger seat is also an option.
Other features include:
- Audi's MMI (Multi Media Interface) system, which uses a dashboard screen and control knob to control audio, navigation, suspension, and other functions.
- 3 zone climate control
- A navigation system with real-time traffic information
- Keyless entry and starting
- Rearview camera
- Power tailgate
- Optional is Audi Drive Select, which allows for driver control of engine, transmission, steering, and suspension settings.
Engine Options
The Q5 comes in two engine variants - a petrol and diesel each. The petrol unit is the 2.0 Litre 4 Cylinder DOHC turbocharged intercooled unit with around 200 bhp of power on tap and a maximum of 350 nm of maximum torque starting from 1500 rpm all the way upto 4200 rpm.
The V6 Turbo diesel displaces 3.0 Litre and generates an impressive 240 bhp and an even more impressive 510 nm of torque. The same diesel even under the hood of the bigger Q7 provides effortless performance and its fair to say that in Q5 which is smaller and lighter, it will more or less electric!
Both the engines are mated to a 7-Speed S-Tronic transmission with permanent Quattro all wheel drive. Audi claims a 0-100 kmph sprint time of 6.5 seconds for the diesel and 7.2 seconds for the petrol and top speed of 225 kmph and 222 kph respectively.
Safety
A large package of high-end technologies makes the Audi Q5 driving experience even more fascinating. The optional control system Audi drive select guides the operation of various technology components and is available in several upgrade variants. At the touch of a button, the driver determines whether the system should work in a comfortable, an especially well balanced or a sporty mode. The MMI operating system offers a fourth mode, which can be individually programmed. Audi drive select is available with two innovative components. One is an electronic controller for the shock absorbers, the other is Audi dynamic steering.
Outfitted with a superposition gear, it continuously varies the steering ratio and the power steering assistance depending on the speed driven – which means less steering effort is required when parking, and firm steering with low sensitivity at higher speeds. At the handling limits, the dynamic steering stabilizes the Audi Q5 in conjunction with the ESP by means of instantaneous steering interventions.
Available safety features include:
- ABS
- Traction control
- Antiskid system
- Curtain side airbags
- Front and rear side airbags.
Audi Q5 has all the snob value and luxuries of the gargantuan Q7, scaled down into a much more manageable and less environmentally-offensive package. Overall, Audi Q5 is very impressive and is sure going to be a hit for compact SUV lovers.