Dynamic third-generation Audi Q5 revealed
Audi has unveiled its dynamic third generation Audi Q5 and Audi SQ5, the first SUV – and the second model in the range after the recently unveiled Audi A5 – to be built on the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC).
The mid-sized SUV comes with a range of powerful yet highly efficient petrol and diesel engines that benefit from mild hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV) plus technology. The new model’s E3 1.2 electronics architecture means that it is also equipped with the latest connectivity and digitalisation features. Plus, the new model gets a significant upgrade in standard specification over the outgoing model.
Exterior design
The new Audi Q5 has become even sportier with its bold high shoulder line, which connects the front and rear lights and makes the vehicle appear longer. Above the sill, a rising line runs over the wheel arches and into the rear bumper, giving the vehicle a dynamic, powerful appearance even when stationary.
The defining design elements of the front are positioned higher than on its predecessor, and the sporty, wide Singleframe grille is flanked by vertical, functional air curtains which, together with the sharp lines of the headlights, give the car an agile and self-confident look. The exterior of the S line impresses with striking and sporty body components, such as the Air Curtain Tubes with matt anthracite chrome-look accents.
The rear has an extremely clean design. From the rear window to the lower edge of the sculpturally shaped light strip, there is a smooth surface, defined by the light strip with a sharp cut across the entire width of the vehicle.
The diffuser is integrated into the raised bumpers as an island. The positioning and shape of the tailpipes depends on the engine: a functional double square tailpipe under the diffuser on the left-hand side (for all diesel engines), or functional rectangular tailpipes on the right and left (for all petrol engines). The S model features the iconic twin round tailpipes in a new, sharpened design.
Exterior style
The new Audi Q5 joins the Audi A5 and Audi Q6 e-tron as part of our B segment family of models with exceptional levels of standard equipment. It launches with three trim levels:
- Sport
- S line
- Edition 1
The Audi SQ5 Edition 1 has a number of sportier styling enhancements including larger front air intakes, a larger rear diffuser and of course, the black exterior package.
There are 11 exterior paint choices, which include two new colours:
- Arkona white, solid
- Glacier white, metallic
- Floret silver, metallic
- Volcano grey, metallic (NEW)
- Mythos black, metallic
- Grenadine red, metallic (NEW)
- Navarra blue, metallic
- Ultra blue, metallic
- District green, metallic
- Daytona grey, pearl effect
- Sakhir gold, Audi Sport metallic (NEW)
Alloy wheels on the new model are an inch larger than on the previous Audi Q5, ranging from 19 to 21 inches in aerodynamically optimised designs, depending on the trim. Sport features 19-inch, S line gains 20-inch and Edition 1 and Audi SQ5 Edition both showcase 1 21-inch wheels as standard.
The interior design
The interior of the new Audi Q5 has been designed with the needs of both the driver and passengers in mind, ensuring easy reach and simplicity for features, technology, and style. This begins with the ‘Digital Stage’, which is accessed through the slim, free-standing Audi MMI panoramic display in front of the driver with its curved design and OLED technology. It houses an 11.9-inch Audi virtual cockpit and a 14.5-inch MMI touch display.
A 10.9-inch MMI display can also be ordered specially for front passengers on Edition 1 and SQ5 Edition 1. Thanks to Active Privacy Mode with shutter technology, passengers can use the infotainment system undisturbed without the driver being visually distracted. At the same time, it offers the option of assisting the driver, such as with navigation tasks.
A soft wrap element runs from door to door across the entire width of the dashboard that, together with the fabric panels in the door and the armrests, creates a homely ambience. Comfort-oriented areas are emphasized with generous surfaces and soft materials. In contrast, controls are precisely designed and optionally finished in high-quality, high-gloss black.
Sustainable materials Cascade and Dinamica, among others, are available optionally available on some trim levels. The Cascade textile upholstery is reminiscent of natural materials such as wool and is not dyed. It is made from recycled materials such as polyester. Part of the cover is made from the fabric Impressum, which consists partly of recycled plastic fibres. Dinamica looks and feels like suede, but almost half of it is made from recycled polyester, one of the sources of which is leftover textiles.
Dynamic interaction light
The contour light in the dashboard and doors emphasises the width of the interior, while the indirect light below the curved Audi MMI panorama display and in the centre console creates a visual floating effect.
The high-quality materials in the doors are illuminated to great effect. Added to this is the dynamic interaction light (IAL), available optionally as part of the Sound & Vision Pack or standard on Audi SQ5 Edition 1, which spans the entire width of the interior as an LED light strip and supports the occupants' interaction with the vehicle. On the one hand, the IAL serves to showcase the interior and offers, for example, a welcome function or indicates when the vehicle is locked and unlocked. On the other, it provides support when it comes to safety. For example, the dynamic indicator light is visualized. This enhances the display in the virtual cockpit. The IAL always remains an additional display and does not replace a blinker in the virtual cockpit.
The lighting design
The rear lights have a three-dimensional design, spectacularly bringing together the physical and digital worlds in combination with the light strip, which spans the entire width of the vehicle.
The strikingly designed second-generation digital OLED rear lights on Audi SQ5 Edition 1 and the projection light in the spoiler above the rear window from S line upwards deliver increased safety. The third brake light projects a graphic into the upper rear window area, thereby enlarging the brake light area. The six digital OLED panels generate a new image several times per second using a specially developed algorithm. This symbiosis between lighting design and new technology makes the light in the new Audi SQ5 appear livelier and more intelligent than ever before.
The rear lights can communicate with the vehicle’s immediate surroundings (Car-to-X) in a targeted manner. Proximity detection, which was first introduced in 2020, has been expanded in the new Audi SQ5 to include the communication light. It warns other road users of accidents and breakdowns. In addition to the regular tail light graphic, it displays a specific static tail-light signature with integrated warning symbols in the digital OLED combination rear light in critical driving or traffic situations.
For the first time on an Audi model, from S line up, the new Audi Q5 comes with a rear projection light: from the underside of the rear spoiler, an LED light module projects an additional brake light onto the rear window where it is clearly visible. It also supports the coming home/leaving home function in impressive style.
With Edition 1 and Audi SQ5 Edition 1, up to eight digital light signatures in the redesigned daytime running lights of the Matrix LED headlights and on Audi SQ5 Edition 1 in the digital OLED tail lights 2.0, drivers can personalize their Audi SQ5 in a completely new way. A specially designed ‘Coming Home’ and ‘Leaving Home’ scene is available for each digital light signature when leaving and unlocking the vehicle.
New platform with new MHEV technology
The new Audi Q5 follows in the tracks of the Audi A5, becoming the second model to launch on the Premium Platform Combustion, also known as PPC. This sits alongside the all-new electric Premium Platform Electric (PPE) with similar underpinnings of the all-new electronics architecture using high performance computers to make the car more connected and intelligent than ever before.
PPC brings new partially electrified drive systems, which means all models in the Audi Q5 series are equipped with the highly efficient MHEV plus technology.
The new MHEV plus system with 48-volt electrical system supports the combustion engine, reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and increases performance and driving comfort. Purely electric manoeuvring and parking are also possible to a limited extent. The 48-volt system enables the use of an electrically driven air conditioning compressor, so that even when the combustion engine is switched off – e.g. when coasting or at a red light – the air conditioning system continues to operate at full power and keeps the interior at a comfortable temperature.
New Audi Audi Q5 plug-in hybrids will be introduced at a later stage in the model’s life cycle.
Three engines for launch
The series will launch with three engine versions. All models use the 7-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission. Full technical data will be announced along with UK pricing and specification data in October.
As with Audi A5, we drop the numbered power designations such as the 45 TFSI and 40 TDI. For Audi Q5, the engine is designated with TFSI for petrol and TDI for diesel. The fuel type is followed by a power output which denotes additional differences between the engine choices. To bring this to life, for example, the 40 TDI quattro is now simply badged the TDI quattro 204 PS.
The entry-level engine is the 2.0 TFSI, which delivers 150 kW (204 PS), 340 Nm of maximum torque and is equipped with quattro all-wheel drive.The Audi Q5 is available with the 2.0 TDI in the EA288 evo generation, which delivers 150 kW (204 PS) and 400 Nm of torque.
The Audi SQ5 comes fitted with a V6 TFSI three-litre engine that produces 270 kW (367 PS) and has a maximum torque of 550 Nm. The seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission is paired with quattro all-wheel drive as standard.
Agile handling and comfort
The new Audi Q5 has dynamically tuned steel suspension as standard. Alternatively, a Sports suspension is available on S line and Edition 1.
The steel spring suspension, in combination with the passive damping system FSD (Frequency Selective Damping) and a more agile front axle, gives the Audi Q5 an even firmer ride on the road. FSD reduces damping forces, particularly at high frequencies – for example on cobblestones – and maintains high damping forces at low frequencies, such as those that occur when changing lanes or cornering.
Adaptive damper control features in the Air suspension on Audi SQ5 Edition 1. The basic configuration of this Air suspension can be adapted to individual requirements via Audi drive select. Compared to the predecessor model, it offers a much more noticeable spread between comfort and sport mode.
The new Audi Q5 and Audi SQ5 are both offered with enhanced Progressive steering as standard.
The latest generation of driver assistance systems
Audi provides a wide range of driver assistance systems in the new Audi Q5, the functions of which significantly improve everyday life and road safety for all road users and are standard from launch:
- Parking system plus with 360 display
- Park assist plus
- Reversing camera
- Adaptive cruise control and speed limiter
- Lane departure warning
- Swerve assist and front turn assist
- Front emergency brake assist
- Front cross traffic intersection assist
- Efficiency assistant and attention and drowsiness assistant
Audi assistant
The learning voice-activated Audi assistant can be used to control numerous vehicle functions as standard on every Audi Q5 and Audi SQ5. The digital assistant with AI support is deeply integrated into the vehicle and is depicted by an avatar in the central touch display of the MMI and in the head-up display. An icon in the instrument display shows the status of the Audi assistant.
Smart infotainment system
The infotainment system of the Audi Q5 uses Android Automotive OS as its operating system. The latest Audi connect services are therefore always up to date. Apps such as YouTube and Spotify are available via the store for third-party apps, which is integrated directly into the MMI and does not require a smartphone to use.
The heart of the Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System is a highly efficient amplifier. It drives 16 loudspeakers with 685 watts of power. This is standard on Audi SQ5 Edition 1, or optionally available on Q5 as part of Sound & Vision Pack.
The A-pillar and mid-range speakers produce an incomparable 3D surround sound. The ‘Symphoria’ technology developed by the Fraunhofer Institute makes an important contribution to this. It adds sound dimensions that are essential for a natural sound image: width, depth, and height. This creates a feeling of spaciousness in the car.
Compared to the Audi sound system, the Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System works with Vehicle Noise Compensation (VNC), which compensates for interior noise. Customers also have the option of expanding their sound experience at any time with features that can be added via Functions on Demand.
The head-up display
The Audi Q5 is optionally available with a configurable Head-Up Display (HUD) as part of the optional Sound & Vision Pack, or standard on Audi SQ5 Edition 1. The HUD can display a wide range of information in a clear and concise manner, such as speed, assistance systems, navigation instructions or media data.
Drivers have the option of controlling vehicle and infotainment functions via the head-up display. The controls also allow scrolling through lists with direct selection via steering wheel buttons – a first for the new Audi Q5.
This makes it even easier for drivers to select recent destinations without taking their eyes off the road. Incoming calls can also be shown in the Head-Up Display and answered directly by the driver using the steering wheel button. In addition, corresponding menus in the HUD show the last calls made. This makes it much easier to select frequently recurring calls. Media is also controlled via the HUD: in entertainment mode, drivers can select their favourite radio station or podcast, for example, using the list control.
The Audi Q5 will be available for ordering in October 2024, If you want to register your interest call us on 01202 983 791 or email sales@pooleaudi.co.uk and a member of our dedicated sales team will be more than happy to assist you.
Accurate at time of publication [September 2024].