AUDI Australia says newly launched Sportback variants of its fashionable Q5 will additional enhance gross sales of its already fashionable mid-sized SUV and probably topple the BMW X3 from the section’s number-one spot.
The Q5, which has discovered greater than 40,000 Australian patrons since its preliminary launch in 2009, was up to date earlier this 12 months and the fourth-generation vary joined in August by a trio of coupe-SUV fashions in Audi’s swoopy Sportback physique model that has now been formally launched to native media.
Competing straight with the BMW X4 (from $83,471 earlier than on-road prices) and Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe (from $96,900 + ORC) within the thriving medium SUV over $60,000 section, the Q5 Sportback vary is priced from $77,700 (plus on-roads) and contains gentle hybrid four-cylinder petrol and diesel variants plus a efficiency V6 turbo-diesel, increasing the Q5 line-up to a complete of 11 selections.
Talking to GoAuto by way of a reside video stream, Audi Australia product planning supervisor Peter Strudwicke mentioned the Q5 Sportback has the potential to hitch the Q3 Sportback in forming a robust portion of general mannequin gross sales.
For instance, Sportback variants of the Q3 account for half of all mannequin gross sales domestically, which Mr Strudwicke attributed to the mannequin’s mixture of kind and performance as a drawcard that style-conscious Audi clients respect, and one that’s sure to use to the bigger Q5 vary.
“We’re hoping for the Q5 and SQ5 Sportback to kind round 25 per cent of the general gross sales combine for Q5. Our opponents’ (coupe-SUV) fashions kind round 20 per cent of their respective ranges, so we’re aiming to exceed that. General, we see a rise in gross sales for the Q5 vary,” mentioned Mr Strudwicke.
“Our clients inform us that the mixture of design and practicality is what units Sportback variants aside. Within the Q3 vary, the mix of design and the flexibility has seen roughly the identical variety of Sportback variants offered as common variants, and we expect that stability shall be mirrored within the all-new Q5 and Q5 Sportback vary as nicely.
In step with custom, the efficiency SQ5 Sportback TDI ($110,900 + ORC) variant is dominating early gross sales.
Mr Strudwicke mentioned the unique SQ5 – launched domestically in 2014 – went on to kind 30 per cent of Q5 vary gross sales in Australia throughout its time available in the market and that the most recent SQ5 Sportback reveals indicators of emulate that development, the mannequin already accounting for 35 per cent of orders positioned by keen clients.
It’s anticipated the stability of Q5 Sportback gross sales will favour petrol-powered fashions with Audi predicting a gross sales cut up of fifty per cent in favour of the 45 TFSI variant and 15 per cent for the 40 TDI respectively.
“The Q5 has been our most profitable SUV over the time that it has been on sale, with over 40,000 examples offered in Australia it shortly grew to become the largest vendor in its section,” mentioned Mr Strudwicke.
“It’s solely prior to now couple of years that the Q3 has actually began difficult the Q5, and partly that’s as a result of it has that further physique model of the Sportback variant.”
Domestically, Audi’s SUV fashions account for 80 per cent of the German model’s gross sales, the Q5 rating because the second-biggest vendor (2849 items year-to-date) behind the Q3 (4358 gross sales).
Common Q5 SUV variants (together with SQ5 fashions) rank second on the general class gross sales ladder, with 2849 examples offered to September 30 this 12 months.
BMW leads the medium SUV over $60,000 section with its X3 (3138 items), with third place falling to the Volvo XC60 (2827 offered).
Audi says it expects to additional develop its native market share subsequent 12 months when a number of key new fashions arrive. The brand new A3 and S3 vary is due in showrooms early in 2022 alongside the e-tron S efficiency EV in each SUV+ Sportback codecs, with the RS3 sizzling hatch and sedan right here earlier than mid-year.
They are going to be joined within the latter half of 2022 by the brand new SQ7 and SQ8 TFSI efficiency giant SUVs, in addition to the e-tron GT and RS e-tron electrical sportscar vary.
Till then, it’s the inaugural Q5 and SQ5 Sportback vary that’s anticipated to kind the majority of Audi’s native gross sales.
Pricing and specification highlights of the mannequin present a well-specified and environment friendly line-up differentiated from equal Q5 wagon variants by not solely a chic physique form but in addition added gear.
Normal inclusions are beneficiant throughout the Q5 Sportback line-up and embody Audi’s S line enhancements as customary over all three variants. A ten.0-inch touchscreen infotainment array with smartphone mirroring, wi-fi charging, proprietary satellite tv for pc navigation, Apple CarPlay (wi-fi), Andriod Auto, and twin Bluetooth connectivity are additionally fitted.
Audi’s 12.3-inch Digital Cockpit digital instrument cluster is featured as customary, as are leather-appointed upholstery, tri-zone local weather management, LED headlights, powered tailgate, and 20-inch alloy wheels.
Moreover, the Q5 Sportback vary is on the market with adaptive cruise management that includes stop-and-go performance, matrix LED headlights, panoramic sunroof, heated entrance seats with Nappa leather-based upholstery, and 20-inch alloy wheels (21-inch on SQ5).
Standalone and choice bundles are additionally accessible, together with the Consolation bundle (40 TDI) and Technik bundle (40 TDI and 45 TFSI). Audi may even provide the Q5 and SQ5 Sportback with 9 exterior finishes and a wide range of upholstery selections.
Security and driver help know-how features a 360-degree digital camera system, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep help, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, auto high-beam, exit warning system and ‘hands-on’ detection that recognises if the driving force has let go of the steering wheel.
The common Q5 SUV was final awarded a five-star EuroNCAP ranking in 2017.
Regardless of the swoopy roofline, Audi quotes cargo capability of 510-1470 litres for the Q5 Sportback vary – simply 10 litres lower than the common Q5 SUV – and says rear-seat headroom is “substantial” at 16mm lower than the wagon.
Beneath the bonnet, the Q5 Sportback vary begins with the diesel-powered 40 TDI quattro S line with 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine sending 150kW/400Nm to all 4 wheels by way of Audi’s quattro extremely know-how all-wheel-drive system and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Audi quotes a 0-100km/h acceleration time of seven.6 seconds for the 40 TDI and a prime velocity of 222km/h. A 12-volt mild-hybrid system reduces gas consumption to a claimed 5.4 litres per 100km whereas extending theoretical driving vary as much as 1250km from its 70-litre gas tank.
Subsequent is the one petrol-powered Q5 Sportback within the Australian vary, the 45 TFSI quattro S line. Priced from $86,300 + ORC it additionally options all-wheel drive and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, with outputs of 183kW/370Nm.
Audi claims the 45 TFSI will speed up from standstill to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds on its method to a prime velocity of 237km/h. Gasoline consumption for the mid-tier mannequin is listed at 8.0L/100km.
Citing sluggish gross sales within the Q5 SUV format, Audi mentioned it might not provide a 50 TDI variant within the Q5 Sportback vary, as a substitute leaping on to the flagship SQ5 TDI Sportback.
“We’re all the time wanting on the engine mixes we provide, and there’s all the time scope so as to add and subtract engines if the necessity is there – and I’ll say there may be undoubtedly nonetheless an urge for food for diesel on this space of the market,” Mr Strudwicke mentioned.
“However the 50 TDI is the bottom a part of the mannequin combine within the common Q5. We’re discovering most patrons step as much as the SQ5, so we made the choice to supply the 40TDI, 45 TFSI, and SQ5 TDI within the Sportback for now.”
Priced from $110,900 earlier than on-roads – $6000 greater than the common SQ5 – the V6-powered efficiency mannequin is powered by a single-turbo 3.0-litre engine with 48-volt gentle hybrid system and electrical compressor help. Complete system output of 251kW/700Nm is delivered to the street by way of an eight-speed torque converter automated transmission and all-wheel drive.
Audi says the SQ5 TDI Sportback will speed up to 100km/h in 5.1 seconds on its method to an electronically restricted prime velocity of 250km/h. Mixed cycle gas consumption is listed at 7.1L/100km.
The SQ5 TDI Sportback rides 30mm decrease than the usual Q5 Sportback, the suspension association additional enhanced by Audi’s adaptive S sport suspension and variable all-wheel drive system.
Its self-locking centre differential can direct as much as 85 per cent of drive to the rear wheels whereas the optionally available Sport differential can direct nearly 100 per cent of torque to both rear wheel.
Audi additionally equips the SQ5 TDI Sportback with a sports activities exhaust for a “distinctive and sonorous sound” and six-piston calipers over 375mm entrance disc rotors – the identical brake bundle discovered on the hard-charging RS5 sportscar.
Each diesel engines are fitted with twin SCR catalytic converters – one behind the exhaust manifold and the opposite beneath the ground – to scale back emissions beneath the most recent Euro 6d requirements. The items are fed by a twin dosing AdBlue system, the tank of which ought to solely require filling throughout scheduled servicing, Audi says.
Audi’s Q5 and SQ5 Sportback can be found with a complete five-year service plan priced at $3140 for the 2 Q5 variants and $3170 for the SQ5. The trio are manufactured at Audi’s state-of-the-art San Jose Chiapa facility in Mexico, which derives 100 per cent of its electrical energy from a photo voltaic farm in close by Chihuahua.
The Audi Q5 and SQ5 Sportback is on the market for buy in showrooms and by way of the Audi on-line buy platform now.
2022 Audi Q5 and SQ5 Sportback pricing*
Q5 Sportback 40 TDI (a) | $77,700 |
Q5 Sportback 45 TFSI (a) | $86,300 |
SQ5 Sportback TDI (a) | $110,900 |
*Pricing excludes on-road prices.