Overview
AUDI is again within the hybrid recreation with a potent Q5 PHEV that gives ’S’ mannequin efficiency with out the gas invoice.
However priced from $102,990 plus on-road prices, greater than $40k greater than the bottom mannequin Q5, does the potent PHEV plan to steal the SQ5’s thunder?
In line with Audi Australia product supervisor, Matthew Dale, the hybrid stands by itself as a ‘better of each worlds’ choice for patrons that don’t fairly want SQ5 efficiency however nonetheless need to get their kicks.
“We take a look at it as complementary to the vary, as a result of an SQ5 buyer is a singular buyer; it’s a efficiency diesel,” he mentioned.
“Whereas the PHEV being complementary to the vary is a buyer that also needs the efficiency however is considering of electrification.”
The Q5 55 TFSI e quattro is available in each Sportback and wagon physique sorts, however the sportier rear-end choice begins from an SQ5 rivalling $110,200. We favor the wagon’s facet profile, however it may come down to private desire.
Audi Australia opted for the higher-powered variant, inside the two-model Q5 PHEV lineup out there abroad, with a powertrain that mixes a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 195kW/370Nm and an electrical motor good for an extra 105kW/350Nm.
A mixed most output of 270kW/500Nm, working via Audi’s seven-speed S ironic transmission and famed quattro all-wheel drive system, permits a 5.3-second dash to 100km/h – simply two tenths slower than the range-topping SQ5.
Audi claims gas use of simply 2.0L/100km however, as we’ll focus on additional down, that quantity is a far cry from what we achieved.
Drivers will even have the ability to cruise in all-electric EV mode for as much as 55km – appropriate for inner-city commutes or faculty drop-offs – with a prime velocity 135km/h.
When it comes time to cost, the 17.9kWh battery might be refilled in round 2.5 hours and all Q5 PHEVs include a 240-volt three-pin Australian Normal Plug, a Sort 2 charging cable to be used with public chargers and a 230-volt industrial plug with a wall bracket to mount it at house.
The brakes on the Q5 are, in true Audi style, overkill with six-piston calipers and 350mm rotors up entrance, and 330mm discs on the rear whereas regenerative braking additionally performs a component. However being positioned as a efficiency mannequin, the stopping energy definitely provides to the expertise.
The usual gear all through the Q5 PHEV is spectacular, although not beneficiant given the price-tag, clearly aimed toward patrons wanting a premium SUV with S-line styling in and out.
Each fashions come customary with full-length panoramic sunroof, sensible ABS-sensing roof rails and crossmembers, 20-inch Audi Sport wheels, and LED lights entrance and rear. The Sportback will get Matrix LED headlights, considerably justifying the value bounce.
Audi’s full suite of security know-how can be included, alongside eight airbags, with adaptive cruise, autonomous emergency braking, pre-sense entrance and rear and energetic lane help. An array of cameras additionally supplies 360-degree views, whereas park help will assist additional if coping with tight inner-city parking spots.
Inside, Audi’s digital cockpit encompasses a 10.1-inch infotainment display, wi-fi cellphone connectivity, wi-fi charging and clever navigation system that works at the side of the hybrid system to optimise the battery’s state of cost.
The usual 180-watt 10-speaker sound system, which features a subwoofer for added ‘doof’, is great however not fairly as crisp because the elective Bang & Olufsen 3D system out there as a part of the $4900 Technik bundle.
As is the case with all new Audi fashions, the Q5 comes with a normal five-year/unlimited-kilometre guarantee and 10-year guarantee for bodywork corrosion perforation.
Driving Impressions
We spent about eight hours driving the Q5 PHEV, throughout a two-day drive loop that coated nearly every little thing from freeway runs to twisty mountain roads, though heavy-footed journalists meant gas use figures had been maybe somewhat inflated. We’ll get to that, although…
Firing up the Q5 is a silent affair, miserable the beginning/cease button to listen to, as is the case with EVs, nothing. The Q5 PHEV routinely defaults to EV mode, providing electric-only energy till combustion shove is required.
We discovered that automobile parks, light suburban use and any decrease velocity driving stored the two.0-litre petrol engine on standby however when wanted it fired into life nearly imperceptibly.
The Q5 PHEV was quiet, clean, and comfy all through the 2 days, leaving us considering it’s bought to be essentially the most refined Q5 but.
Inside house is plentiful, throughout the 40:20:40 cut up, with three-zone local weather management and color ambient lighting all through the cabin.
We briefly sat within the rear and may verify the Q5 PHEV will simply seat 4 adults or a road-tripping household, though carrying capability is down with the rear baggage compartment ground sitting round two inches larger to suit the battery.
Energy supply is extremely linear within the Q5, with out the lag of a petrol-only powertrain or jarring torque of an EV.
Make no mistake, the Q5 PHEV is fast however in a refined type of manner. It shoots to 60km/h faster than many scorching hatches however doesn’t really feel notably pressing or dramatic in doing so.
Whereas solely two tenths slower to triple figures than the all-out SQ5, it’s how the Q5 PHEV will get there that’s totally different. Sure, the diesel SQ5 is clean but it surely’s nonetheless not as linear in its energy supply because the hybrid is.
A number of hybrid-focused drive modes can be found, which we performed round with, however we discovered the automated hybrid mode labored finest for common use. This mode routinely juggles electrical and petrol energy, utilizing the vacation spot you place into the navigation system to optimise charging alongside the route.
Apart from the usual mode, there’s a ‘maintain’ mode that can preserve battery capability, a ‘cost’ mode that makes use of the ICE engine to place most juice again into the battery, and naturally the devoted EV mode.
When it comes time to make use of the mammoth brakes, they’re by no means close to their restrict as a result of as much as 80kW of regenerative braking is made out there via the electrical motor – which implies the brakes are solely put to work underneath heavy stabs of the pedal.
For light deceleration, the electrical motor will generate as much as 25kW of regenerative braking and a coasting perform disengages the petrol engine to recuperate power and feed the battery.
Using on coil-spring suspension, except you go for the sportier adaptive air suspension, the Q5 strikes a wise steadiness between consolation and sportiness. It corners pretty flat, though wouldn’t get near its SQ5 sibling within the twisties.
The one air suspension-equipped mannequin on the launch, of which we briefly drove, cornered with much less physique roll and provided extra adjustability with its numerous modes, however at $4400 we’d personally forego the elective improve. In case you do need the improved dealing with, comparable cash will get you into an SQ5.
So, let’s speak about gas use. We achieved common gas use of 6.3L/100km, however the automobile was pushed arduous and acceleration examined numerous occasions. We share the automobiles with different drivers, so in instances like this the autos are sometimes pushed arduous from ‘go to whoa’.
Actual-time gas use cruising at freeway speeds confirmed 1.5L/100km, so Audi’s claimed 2.0L/100km could also be achievable throughout blended use, however we’d must spend longer within the automobile to verify real-world figures.
That is, unquestionably, essentially the most refined Q5 but and with its all-electric driving mode, low gas use and spectacular efficiency, it’s – as Audi instructed us numerous occasions – a real all-rounder.
The Q5 PHEV is formally open for order, presenting a compelling mid-size SUV choice that tows the road between frugal gas use and smile-inducing efficiency; for those who’re keen to cough up the six-figure asking worth.
