Making its debut at the 2017 NAIAS in Detroit is the new Audi SQ5, the
high-performance version of the SUV, now in its second generation.
New here is a 3.0 litre turbocharged V6 engine (from
the S4 and S5), which provides 354 hp and 500 Nm of torque, replacing the
previous car’s 3.0 litre supercharged V6 (354 hp/470 Nm). Audi says the new
mill is 14 kg lighter than before and features a twin-scroll turbo, which is
located within the 90-degree V of the cylinder banks for a more compact
construction and shorter gas flow paths with minimal flow losses.
The mill sends its power through an eight-speed
tiptronic automatic transmission and Audi’s proprietary quattro permanent
all-wheel drive system, with the latter being slightly rear-axle bias.
Performance-wise, you’re looking at a 0-100 km/h sprint time of just 5.4
seconds, while the top speed is
electronically-limited at 250 km/h.
The SQ5 is equipped with
adaptive air suspension and an optional sport differential that actively
distributes torque between the rear wheels via two superposition stages, and
can send it all to one wheel if necessary. Also available is a dynamic steering
system, which varies its gear ratio depending on the car’s speed and steering
angle. These systems, along with the engine and transmission response rate, are
controlled via the Audi drive select system.
To make sure no one confuses the SQ5 with a standard
model, the SUV comes with sportier bumpers front and back, featuring S-specific
air intakes, a diffuser, double vertical grille slats, quad exhaust tailpipes
and S-specific badging. Inside, there are S sport seats upholstered in
Alcantara/leather, which can also be upgraded to Nappa leather. More S logos
can be found on the illuminated door sills and steering wheel bearing them.
Plenty of equipment available as well, starting with
the MMI navigation plus, MMI all-in-touch and an 8.3-inch display. Elsewhere,
there’s the SQ5-exclusive sport display mode for the Audi Virtual Cockpit,
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, a Bang & Olufsen sound system,
optional heads-up display, along with a comprehensive safety and driver
assistance suite.
