Audi Q5 - restyled SUV-a-z Ingolstadt
The Audi Q5, along with the A6 and A4, is the Ingolstadt model most often chosen by Poles. Despite strong competition in the largest markets in the world, the German SUV is selling well, although there is no doubt that a small facelift would not hurt. That is why at the fair in China, Audi introduced the updated Q5, which will soon go to showrooms.
This is the first facelift of the model, introduced in 2008, set to compete in the tough mid-size SUV market, where it will face, among other things, this year's facelifted Mercedes GLK, the aggressive BMW X3 and the Volvo XC60. , which is a bestseller in Poland.
Audi, known for its stylistic conservatism, has not taken bold steps when it comes to redesigning the body. The 2013 model received new headlights, in which LED lights form the high beam bezel. A similar procedure was used in the rear lights. The bumpers, exhaust pipes and grille with a slightly redesigned chrome frame also look different. Clearly, the Q5's anti-aging treatment has gone in the direction Audi took with the Q3, which debuted in 2011.
Inside, minor stylistic adjustments were made and functionality was increased. The most important changes include the improvement of the multimedia system software (MMI navigation plus) and devices in the field of driving comfort: the buttons on the multifunction steering wheel have been changed and the seat heating has been activated. In addition, the performance of the air conditioner has been increased. The interior also has more chrome accents. Audi is offering more options for personalizing the interior with the introduction of three new upholstery colors and three upholstery qualities, resulting in 35 interior trim combinations. The body color palette has also been expanded with 4 new colors, with a total of 15 options to choose from.
Along with the stylistic changes, Audi has also carried out technological updates, the most important of which is the renewal of the engine palette. The offer will include five conventional engines and a hybrid. Every Q5 will be equipped with a start-stop system and a brake energy recovery system. Audi claims that the new engines have reduced average fuel consumption by 15%.
The basic power unit of the Audi Q5 has not changed - it is a 2.0 hp 143 TDI, which will be equipped with the cheapest versions not equipped with quattro drive (there will also be a version with all-wheel drive and the weakest engine). to be available). A more powerful version of the two-liter engine has already added power (by 7 hp): it has 177 hp. A small increase was also recorded in the case of the 3.0 TDI engine, which was able to increase power by 5 hp. up to 245 hp Combined with the seven-speed S-tronic transmission standard on this engine, the car accelerates from 100 to 6,5 km/h in 225 seconds and has a top speed of 6,5 km/h. Characteristics, despite the increase in power, have not changed, but the car has become more economical. Of course, when using the full power of the car, it will be impossible to achieve the declared fuel consumption of 5 liters of diesel fuel in the combined cycle. At the time of the launch of the Q3, a 7,7-liter diesel needed 100 liters of fuel to overcome XNUMX kilometers, so the progress is quite significant.
More is squeezed out of gasoline units: 2.0 TFSI will develop 225 hp. and 350 Nm of torque, thanks to changes in the valve arrangement, injection, modification of the turbocharger and exhaust system. Instead of the 3,2 hp 270 FSI unit, which is still on sale (from PLN 209), the 700 TFSI 3.0 hp variant will be introduced. paired with an eight-speed tiptronic transmission as standard. In this version, the first 272 km / h on the speedometer can be shown in 100 seconds. The old model with the seven-speed automatic transmission (S-tronic) took 5,9 seconds. The maximum speed of 6,9 km / h has not changed, but fuel consumption has not changed: the new model will suit an average of 234 liters of gasoline per 8,5 km, and the 100 FSI engine required 3.2 liters of fuel.
Despite such excellent performance, the 3.0 TFSI engine will not be the most expensive option, because environmental enthusiasts will have to allocate the most money. The 2.0 TFSI hybrid has not been upgraded, so the powertrain will continue to generate 245 hp, which will allow it to reach speeds of up to 225 km/h and accelerate to 100 km/h in 7,1 seconds. If you drive slowly, fuel consumption will be 6,9 liters. The price of the version before the upgrade is PLN 229.
The new Audi Q5 will go on sale this summer. We do not yet know the Polish price list, but in the West the updated models will cost several hundred euros: the 2.0 TDI 177 KM will cost 39 euros, which is 900 euros more than its predecessor with a 150-horsepower engine. In Poland, the pre-facelift model's price list starts at PLN 170. Variant 132 TDI 400 hp costs PLN 2.0.
The Audi Q5 in the premium mid-size SUV segment should remain the cheapest of the big three German manufacturers. The BMW X3 costs at least PLN 158 and the Mercedes GLK PLN 400, but it should be remembered that the product from Bavaria in the weakest version has 161 hp, which means significantly better performance. An SUV with a star on the hood is no longer distinguished by a more powerful base engine, because the base diesel has 500 hp.
Last year, the Volvo XC60 led the Polish market in the premium SUV segment with 381 units registered. Immediately behind him was the BMW X3 (347 units). The Audi Q5 (176 units) stood on the last step of the podium, clearly ahead of the Mercedes GLK (69 units), which, due to its exorbitant price, does not count in the fight for the highest sales places.
The updated Audi Q5 is certainly not revolutionary, but it follows the path of the Q3. Styling changes and modernization of the engine palette should not drastically affect the price, so the Ingolstadt company is likely to maintain its strong position in the SUV segment.
