The development of a range-topping RS Q5
has been the subject of many reports, as some were expecting it as early as
2008, when the first generation broke cover. Further rumors have fueled the
‘imminent’ arrival of the hot model, but here we are, 12 years later, and an RS
variant of the premium compact crossover is still nowhere in sight – or is it?
A spokesman for Audi’s mid-size SUV
product range in Germany, Michael Crusius, was asked about such a model at the
presentation of the facelifted Q5 earlier this week, but was not willing to
divulge any details. If it is indeed in the making, it would take on the likes of the BMW X3
M and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 with similar power and performance. In all
likelihood, Audi Sport would also launch it in the Q5 Sportback body style too,
which would place it in the same niche as the X4 M and GLC 63 Coupe.
Power would, in all likelihood, come from
the 2.9-liter twin-turbocharged V6 TFSI from the RS5, where it develops 444 HP and 600 Nm of torque, and would come paired to an
eight-speed automatic transmission and quattro permanent all-wheel drive.
Meanwhile, the 2021 SQ5 remains the range-topping version, which does the 0-96 km/h in 4.7 seconds thanks to a 3.0-liter V6 rated at 349 HP and 500 Nm of torque.
