Updated Audi Q5 - discreet breakthrough
A few years ago, when the first signs of pseudo-SUVs began to appear on the market, they were predicted to soon disappear from the market. Who wants to drive a car that isn't perfect for off-road or on-road? the disbelievers said. They were wrong - the SUV segment is thriving and growing, and manufacturers are overtaking each other, introducing new or improving existing models, and many of the doubters of the time drive such cars.
Today we are in Munich to get acquainted with the updated version of the most popular Audi model in Poland - Q5, which, 4 years after the debut, received an updated version.
Was treatment necessary?
In truth, no, but if you want to be on the wave all the time, you just need to act. So let's check out what's changed in the new Audi Q5 and start with the exterior. Most of the changes have occurred in the LED decorations of the optics and the front of the car. The upper corners of the grille were trimmed to make the Q5 more like the rest of the family. This is probably starting to become a tradition in the automotive world - the grille is becoming the second face of cars and a distinctive element, almost as important as the brand logo. Vertical slats, more distinct than before, fell into the lattice. Bumpers, air intakes and front fog lights were also changed.
In the cabin, the standard of finishing materials has been raised, the steering wheel and the MMI system have been upgraded. Aesthetes and home-grown stylists will surely be pleased by the rather wide range of interior colors - we can choose from three colors, three types of leather and upholstery, and decorative elements are available in three wood veneer options and one aluminum option. This combination gives us a fairly wide range of more or less flavor combinations.
Appearance isn't everything
Even if Audi made pencils, each new version would have a long list of improvements. A pencil would be more convenient, maybe it would glow in the dark and, falling to the floor, would jump back onto the table by itself. The Germans from Ingolstadt, however, make cars, and they have even more room in them to show off and willingly upgrade every screw in them for any reason.
Let's look under the hood, there are most of the screws. As with other models, Audi also cares about the environment and our wallet by reducing fuel consumption. The values are quite interesting and in extreme cases even reach 15 percent, and at the same time we have more power under the right foot.
However, if for someone the only acceptable noise is the smooth hum of a gasoline engine, let them take a closer look at the offer of TFSI units. Take, for example, the 2.0 hp 225 TFSI engine, which in combination with the tiptronic gearbox consumes an average of just 7,9 l/100 km. To be honest, this engine is in the 211 hp version. in the much lighter A5, it rarely dropped below 10l/100km, so especially in its case I hope for a reduction in fuel consumption.
The most powerful engine in the range is the V6 3.0 TFSI with an impressive 272 hp. and a torque of 400 Nm. At the same time, the speed of 100 km / h is shown on the counter after 5,9 seconds. For such a large machine, this result is really impressive.
What about diesel engines?
Below is a two-liter diesel engine with a capacity of 143 hp. or 177 hp in a more powerful version. The other extreme is the 3.0 TDI, which develops 245 hp. and 580 Nm of torque and accelerates to 100 km / h in 6,5 seconds.
I managed to find such a model in a line of a dozen shiny cars lined up in front of the Munich airport, and in a moment the car was caught in a dense stream of cars pouring along the Bavarian roads. On country roads and in the city itself, the Q5 works perfectly with this engine, easily covering every selected gap between cars. The body is not very long, the visibility in the large side mirrors is excellent, the S-tronic transmission works well with the powerful engine, and all this at the same time gives an amazing ease of driving, which can be compared to moving pawns. on the city map. With its flexibility and agility, the Q5 always goes exactly where you want it to go.
The engine is several horses more powerful than the previous version, but do you feel it behind the wheel? In truth, no. Just as beautiful as before the restyling. And incineration? With a quiet ride of 8l / 100km, with a more dynamic driving style, fuel consumption increases to 10l. For such agility and such a “back massage” - a good result!
Who needs a hybrid?
With the Q5, Audi introduced hybrid drive for the first time. How does it look after the changes? This is the first hybrid SUV in the premium segment, based, among other things, on lithium-ion batteries. The heart of the system is a 2,0 hp 211-liter TFSI engine, which works in conjunction with a 54 hp electric unit. The total power of the unit during parallel operation is about 245 hp, and the torque is 480 Nm. Both motors are installed in parallel and connected by a coupling. Power is sent to all four wheels via a modified eight-speed tiptronic transmission. The model in this version accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,1 seconds. On the electric motor alone, moving at a constant speed of about 60 km / h, you can drive about three kilometers. This is not much, but it may be enough for a shopping trip to the nearest market. Interestingly, when approaching this supermarket, you can accelerate to 100 km / h using only electrons, which is a good result. The average fuel consumption per 100 km is less than 7 liters.
This is theory. But in practice? With this model, I also drove several tens of kilometers. To be honest, he did not convince me of himself, and indeed. The silence after turning on the car is of course an interesting phenomenon, but it does not last very long - a moment after the start, the hum of the internal combustion engine is heard. The dual drive works well with the car regardless of engine speed, but if you want to drive dynamically at full power, fuel consumption is menacingly over 12 liters. Why buy a hybrid? Maybe ride only on electrons in EV mode? I tried it and after a few kilometers the fuel consumption dropped from 12 to 7 liters, but what a trip it was… Certainly not worthy of the most expensive model on offer!
Jewel in the crown - SQ5 TDI
Audi has become jealous of BMW's idea of the M550xd (i.e. the use of a diesel engine in the sporty variant of the BMW 5 Series) and introduces the jewel in the Q5 engine crown: the SQ5 TDI. This is the first Model S to feature a diesel engine, so we're dealing with a subtle breakthrough. The 3.0 TDI engine is equipped with two turbochargers connected in series, which develop an output of 313 hp. and an impressive torque of 650 Nm. With this model, acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h is capable of delivering white fever to many sports car owners - 5,1 seconds is simply a sensational result. Top speed is limited to 250 km/h and average diesel fuel consumption per 100 km is expected to be 7,2 liters. The car has a suspension lowered by 30 mm and huge 20-inch rims. Even larger 21-inch wheels are prepared for connoisseurs.
I was also able to try this version while driving. I will say this - with this engine in the Audi Q5 there is so much testosterone that it is very, very difficult to calmly drive this car and requires really strong will. The first thing to notice is the fantastic sound of the V6 TDI engine - when you add gas, it purrs like a pure sports engine, and also gives you a driving experience. The SQ5 version is also noticeably stiffer and corners like a sports sedan. In addition, the appearance is pleasing to the eye - the fins on the grille are separated horizontally, and at the back there is a quad exhaust pipe. The car is worthy of recommendation, especially since it consumes not so much fuel - the test result is 9 liters.
So far, orders for this version are accepted only in Germany, and sales of this model in Poland will begin only in six months, but I assure you - the wait is worth it. Unless Audi shoots us down with some absurd price. Let's see.
And some more technical facts
The four-cylinder units have a six-speed manual transmission, while the six-cylinder S-tronic engines have a seven-speed S-tronic as standard. However, if we want to have this box on a weaker engine - no problem, we will choose it from the list of additional equipment. Upon request, Audi can also install an eight-speed tiptronic transmission that comes standard on the 3.0-litre TFSI.
The Quattro drive is installed on almost the entire Q5 range. Only the weakest diesel has front-wheel drive, and even for a surcharge, we will not run it with all-wheel drive.
Most versions of the Q5 model come standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, but for the picky, even 21-inch wheels are prepared, which, combined with the sports suspension in the S-line variant, will give this car a lot of sporty features.
We're going to get a fridge
However, sometimes we use the car not for racing, but for a very mundane transportation of the proverbial refrigerator. Will the Audi Q5 help here? With a wheelbase of 2,81 meters, the Q5 has plenty of room for both passengers and luggage. The rear seat backrests can be moved or fully folded, increasing the luggage space from 540 liters to 1560. The option also includes interesting additions such as a rail system in the trunk, a bath mat, a cover for the folded rear seat or an electrically closed lid. Caravan owners will also be delighted, as the permissible weight of a towed trailer is up to 2,4 tons.
How much will we pay for the new version?
The new version of the Audi Q5 has risen in price a little. The price list starts from PLN 134 for version 800 TDI 2.0 KM. A more powerful Quattro version costs PLN 134. Version 158 TFSI Quattro costs PLN 100. The top petrol engine 2.0 TFSI Quattro 173 KM costs PLN 200, while the 3.0 TDI Quattro costs PLN 272. The most expensive is … a hybrid – PLN 211. So far there is no price list for SQ200 - I think it's worth waiting for about six months, but it will definitely beat everything that I wrote above.
Summation
The Audi Q5 has been a successful model from the very beginning, and after the changes it shines with freshness again. It's a good alternative for indecisive people who don't know if they want a family car, station wagon, sports car or limousine. It's also a very good compromise between the bulky Q7 and the cramped Q3. And that is why it has been well received in the market and is the most popular Audi in Poland.
And where are all the doubters who said SUVs would die a natural death? Bald guys?!
