Reinvented new Audi Q5 was worth the wait
Third generation Q5 finally arrives in South Africa with a new curvy exterior, massively improved tech and an electrified turbodiesel engine option.
Audi’s just-released third-generation Q5 is already proving to be a hit, following the runaway success of its predecessor, the Q5. Sales have officially exceeded 2.7-million units globally, with South Africa contributing 19,500 examples since the original model debuted in 2009. The Q5 Sportback has dominated sales in South Africa, with the SQ5 making its much anticipated debut at the Cape Town launch event.
The Q5 now features Audi’s premium platform combustion (PPC) and a new 48-volt mild-hybrid system called MHEV Plus. This system boosts power and allows the Q5 to be driven on electric power for short distances, before the diesel engine kicks in. The Q5 Sportback is available only with the TDI engine in South Africa, while the standard Q5 is powered by the 2.0 TFSI engine. The TDI model offers a claimed fuel consumption of 5.1L/100km, while the TFSI is rated at 8.1L/100km.
Powered by the 2.0 TFSI engine, both the Q5 and Q5 Sportback share this same engine as the A5. Both models come standard with a seven-speed S tronic gearbox. The SQ5, meanwhile, boasts a more powerful 3.0 TFSI V6 engine, with an increased power output of 10kW/50Nm, bringing its total to 270kW/550Nm. The new transmission allows the SQ5 to accelerate from 0-100km/h in just 4.5 seconds.
Interior-wise, the Q5’s updates resemble those of the A5, with a new curved dashboard, a 14.5-inch MMI infotainment system, and an 11.9-inch virtual cockpit display. Standard safety and driver assistance tech includes a 360-degree surround-view camera system, adaptive cruise control, front brake assist, automatic emergency braking, park assist, and cross traffic assist.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
