MOTORING: FEATURE
Q5: sporty and stylish
Staff Reporter
Posted Fri, 25 Apr 2008

Like the look of the Q7 but don’t have 17 kids, or a double garage? Looking not unlike an A5 on steroids, the Q5 puts Audi's SUV offering into a smaller package.

Measuring 4.63 metres long and 1.88 metres wide, the Audi Q5 is just 1.65 metres high, giving it a more purposeful stance than any of its competitors — and, at 0.33, a lower drag coefficient.

Of course the design is in tune with the character of the Audi brand: the front end is dominated by characteristic headlights on both sides of the large single-frame grille; on request, they can be equipped with bi-xenon lamps and LED daytime running lights. Viewed from the side, the large wheels and rising edges are especially prominent features. Crowned by a rail, the slope of the roof underscores the slim, coupe-like styling. At the rear, the wraparound tailgate — made from aluminum like the bonnet — clearly identifies this SUV as a relative of its older brother, the Audi Q7. The tail lights are available with distinctive LED lighting technology as well.

Space and stuff

At 2.81m in length, the wheelbase is the longest in its segment, giving enough space for five people to sit comfortably in ergonomically designed seats that can be flexibly arranged. The backrests for the rear seats are angle-adjustable and easy to fold down by activating the remote release lever in the luggage compartment. This compartment, offering access to a second storage area under the floor, then expands from 540 to 1560 litres in volume.

Top-of-the-line safety equipment is a given for Audi cars. On the front seats, the belt force limiters and airbags work together in a new and especially intelligent manner. Much of the body of the Q5 is made of high- and ultra-high-strength steel components assembled with maximum precision. They reduce weight while at the same time improving crash safety as well as rigidity and vibration patterns.

Unsurprisingly the SUV employs design elements typical of the brand in the interior, but adds its own unique variations – the driver-oriented cockpit is set higher, for example, in keeping with the upright seating position. There's also liberal use of materials like aluminium, exclusive woods, chrome, leather and Alcantara.

The Audi comes standard with an electromechanical parking brake, an intelligent chip key, a climate control system and a display screen in the instrument cluster depicting, among other things, the recommended ideal gear for efficient driving in the given situation. A large, central monitor is part of the standard equipment as well. When an onboard navigation system is added, many of the controls are shifted to the MMI panel on the centre console.

Engines

In Europe the mini Q7 launches with three engine variants – one petrol engine and two TDI units. All of the engines are direct-injection models with a turbocharger.

The 2.0 TFSI has been entirely redesigned. The four-cylinder engine unites three high-tech features: turbocharging, petrol direct-injection technology and the Audi valvelift system for variable control of valve lift. The torque of 350Nm is available at 1500rpm and remains constant up to 4200 rpm, with performance peaking at 155kW. The car sprints from 0 to 100km/h in 7.2 seconds and can reach a top speed of 220km/h.

Drawing on four cylinders and two litres of displacement as well, the 2.0 TDI features a new common-rail fuel injection system. With 350Nm (between 1750 and 2500rpm), this diesel engine delivers 125kW. The two-litre TDI moves the Q5 from 0 to 100km/h in 9.5 seconds, peaking at a top speed of 204 km/h.

The most powerful engine in the line-up is the 3.0 TDI. This V6 diesel engine delivers 176kW and 500Nm of torque, which is available between 1500 and 3000rpm. It's good for a 0 to 100km/h time of 6.5 seconds, on to a top speed of 222km/h.

The 2.0 TDI transfers its power to a six-speed manual transmission but the 3.0 TDI and 2.0 TFSI get the "S tronic" system, a new twin-clutch transmission with seven speeds.

As in the new Audi A4, the position of the component units in the drivetrain has been altered in the Audi Q5 — the differential is located in front of the clutch, directly behind the engine. This solution, which made it possible to move the front axle much further forward, creates a long wheelbase and optimum distribution of axle load.

Obviously the Q5 comes standard with quattro permanent all-wheel drive. In normal running conditions, the transfer case distributes the power to the front and rear axle in a 40:60 ratio for a rear-focused style to enhance driving pleasure. When needed, the quattro driveline can deliver up to 65 percent of the power to the front axle and a maximum of 85 percent to the rear axle.

This system is coupled with the latest generation running gear: the five-link front axle and trapezoidal-link rear axle are made primarily from aluminium, the steering box below directs the steering impulse directly to the wheels. The Audi Q5 will ride on lightweight lightweight alloy wheels ranging in size from 17 to 20 inches in diameter.

Its electronic stabilization program (ESP) has been re-designed and enhanced with functions such as a sensor that “tells” the ESP if a roof rack has been mounted, causing the car's centre of gravity to be shifted higher in keeping with the roof load of up to 100 kilograms. If a roof rack is present, the ESP engages earlier in the handling limit.

But the Q5 wasn’t just created for posers in the city. Capable of towing up to two tons, the vehicle was developed for rough terrain as well. The standard hill descent control system makes it safe to navigate down steep inclines by regulating the preselected speed when driving at under 30km/h. The ESP and its sub-function, the ABS, have special ranges for off-road driving. The ESP focuses on achieving maximum traction in off-road driving; the ABS automatically recognises the consistency of the driving surface and selects the ideal strategy for sand, gravel or loose rocks.

Which all adds up to a climbing capability of 31 degrees of incline; overhang angle of 25 degrees; ramp breakover angle of 17.5 degrees. Ground clearance is 20cm, with a fording depth of up to 50 centimetres when driving through water.

Driving pleasure

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, you can determine how much emphasis should be placed on comfort or agility. The MMI operating system offers a fourth mode, which can be individually programmed.

And, for while you're driving, there's an extensive range of modcons for multimedia options: the highest upgrade level features a Bluetooth telephone, a DVD drive, a TV tuner, an intelligent speech control system, an iPod interface and a top-of-the-line sound system from Bang & Olufsen. The navigation system boasts a high-resolution monitor for new, three-dimensional representation of maps. The hard disk from which the system reads can also save music files in MP3 format.

On request, the Q5 can also be equipped with an array of high-tech, onboard systems including Audi parking system advanced with rearview camera, Audi lane assist (the lane departure warning system) and Audi side assist, which warns of hazards when changing lanes. Adaptive cruise control maintains a constant distance between the performance SUV and the vehicle in front.

Additional extras include the advanced key for keyless access to the vehicle, a tyre pressure monitoring system, the large panoramic glass sunroof with additional tilting function, the triple-zone climate control system, sun blinds for the rear side windows, the dynamic cornering light system known as Audi adaptive light, an electric tailgate and a swivelling trailer hitch.

The high-beam assistant automatically switches between the high and low beams. On request, the front seats can be electrically adjusted, heated and ventilated — all traits of a luxury car in SUV clothes.