AUDI HAS COINED ITS OWN terminology for the Q5 Sportback and SQ5 Sportback: it calls them Crossover Utility Vehicles. We guess it’s as good a name as any for SUVs wearing coupe bodies.
“The highly successful 5-door Sportback body style has met a perfect match in the extraordinarily popular Q5 SUV,” said Paul Sansom, Managing Director of Audi Australia.
“We have had very high levels of customer interest in the Q5 Sportback range since it was first unveiled last year, and we’re pleased to now be delivering on its promise. The Q5 Sportback looks set to begin a successful new era for the Q5 range.”
Design
The Audi Q5 Sportback is a real eye-catcher and exudes a powerful presence, as is typical for the Q models from Audi. Large air inlets flank the octagonal Singleframe grille. The headlights with a distinctive daytime running light signature feature LED (TDI) or matrix LED (TFSI) technology, depending on the model. The continuous, elegantly sweeping shoulder line emphasizes the wheels and with them, the quattro all-wheel drive. The side sill trim on the doors imbues the CUV with stability and robustness. The greenhouse extends low over the body and begins its downward slope early so that the third side window tapers sharply to the rear. The starkly sloped rear window and the high-mounted rear bumper give the Q5 Sportback a very dynamic and powerful appearance.
The innovative digital OLED tail lights debut are optionally available, further enhancing its safety credentials. This technology displays a unique warning signal to drivers within a two-metre proximity of the rear of the Q5, by creating a choreographed sequence of flashing lights.
All Q5 Sportback models feature sporty S line exterior styling, including honeycomb pattern grille, trapezoidal front bumper design with matt aluminium inserts, S line rear spoiler and diffuser with selenite silver trim, as well as S line badging. Two 20-inch alloy wheel designs are standard: 5-arm design and Audi Sport 5-V-spoke design on the TDI and TFSI models respectively.
Distinctive details help the Audi SQ5 Sportback TDI leave an even more powerful impression. Vertical brackets give structure to the large side air inlets on the front bumper. Filigree bars connect large octagonal honeycombs with each other in the octagonal Singleframe grille. Matrix LED headlight with automatic high beam and dynamic turn signals are installed as standard. The rear bumper integrates a bracket in matte aluminium, under which the diffuser insert and four chrome-plated oval tailpipe trims can be found. Again, the new digital OLED technology can be chosen for the rear lights.
Drivetrain
The Q5 Sportback line-up consists of two models: the 40 TDI quattro S line and the 45 TFSI quattro S line.
The engines provide outstanding power delivery, enhanced by progressive Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) technology for strong performance and efficiency. To fully harness the strength of the engine, the Q5 Sportback 40 TDI and 45 TFSI are equipped with a smooth-shifting seven-speed S tiptronic, directing power to the road via the legendary Audi quattro all-wheel drive.
The Q5 40 TDI is a powerful and efficient entry model, endowed with peak power of 150kW and 400Nm of torque. Exceptional long-distance range is assured thanks to remarkable fuel efficiency of only 5.4 L/100 km in combination with the standard 70 litre fuel tank, providing a theoretical range of over 1250 km. The 2.0-litre, four-cylinder diesel engine ensures the 0-100km/h sprint is despatched in just 7.6 seconds, reaching a top speed of 222 km/h.
The Q5 Sportback 45 TFSI is powered by a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine (also with 12V MHEV), producing 183kW and 370Nm of torque, reaching 0-100km/h in 6.3 seconds.
In addition, the sporty SQ5 Sportback TDI boasts a 3.0-litre V6 engine with 48v MHEV system and Electric Powered Compressor (EPC), producing an output of 251 kW and 700 Nm of torque. The wide engine-speed range can be used continuously between 1750 rpm and 3250 rpm. The 3.0 TDI develops its power earlier and more forcefully than before. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. Thanks to the efficiency gains provided by the MHEV system, fuel consumption is 7.1 L/100km, with CO2 emissions 186 g/km. An actuator in the exhaust system gives the V6 a distinctive and sonorous sound and is controlled via Audi drive select.
For exhaust gas aftertreatment on both TDI engines, Audi uses twin-dosing technology: two SCR catalytic converters working together. The first of these is located directly behind the manifold in the exhaust gas system, where it also functions as a particulate filter. The second is located further away from the engine under the vehicle floor. Both catalytic converters complement each other’s effects because they cover different operating situations and exhaust gas temperature windows. The SCR catalytic converters are supplied with the AdBlue urea solution by a large tank. Thanks to twin-dosing technology, the both TDI models come in substantially below the latest Euro 6d emissions standards, which also stipulate a dramatic reduction in NOx emissions in the WLTP real-world test cycle. Audi uses complex exhaust aftertreatment systems to meet increasingly lower emission limits, and such technologies reduce the nitrogen oxide emissions of TDI engines by more than 90 percent.
To harness the engine’s power, the SQ5 TDI is equipped with a fast-shifting eight-speed tiptronic transmission, directing power to the road via Audi quattro permanent all-wheel drive for superb handling and traction. The self-locking centre differential is able to direct 40 percent of the torque to the front axle and 60 percent to the rear in normal driving conditions, with up to 85 percent directed to the rear wheels if the road conditions demand it. The standard adaptive suspension with damper control sits the SQ5 Sportback 30mm lower than the Q5 Sportback and ensures the perfect combination of ride comfort and dynamic performance, while the optional air suspension adjusts the ride height of the body through five levels depending on the driving situation. Additionally, the optional quattro sport differential can provide further adjustment, directing almost all of the rear axle’s torque to either wheel during particularly dynamic driving.
Safety and assistance systems
Safety is a high priority for all Audi vehicles, and the Q5 Sportback range is no exception: passive safety is catered for via eight airbags.
The comprehensive array of active safety features offered includes Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, attention assist to mitigate lapsing concentration, side assist, active lane assist (with lane change warning), exit warning, hill descent control, cross traffic assist rear, hold assist, park assist, parking system plus with reversing camera, tyre pressure monitor and pre-sense basic/rear, as well as intelligent 360-degree cameras.
The Q5 Sportback 45 TFSI quattro and SQ5 Sportback TDI also include adaptive cruise control with traffic jam assist as standard.
The Q5 Sportback and SQ5 Sportback retain the same 5-star ANCAP safety ratings as the existing Q5 and SQ5 range.
Cabin comfort and convenience
Inside the cabin, the entire Q5 model range is endowed for comfort and versatility with intuitive technology, offering seamless integration of the Audi smartphone interface via Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay. Unique displays in the standard Audi virtual cockpit plus provide all necessary information for the driver, enhanced by the 10.1-inch high-resolution MMI touch display. With its crystal clear 1540 x 720 pixel resolution, the beautifully crafted display is seamlessly integrated into the dashboard, and is only 13mm slender. Despite this, it is a powerful platform that commands all manner of convenient ‘touch or talk’ driving, infotainment and connectivity functions.
Additional features include Audi phone box light with the convenience of wireless charging for mobile phones (with Qi standard) and two simultaneous Bluetooth connections, Digital DAB+ radio and 4 USB outlets (two in the rear).
All Q5 models offer the convenience of Audi connect plus functionality thanks to the embedded SIM card, with the integration of online traffic, weather conditions, fuel prices, parking information, destination send-to-car and Google Maps into the Q5 driving experience. In addition, items like service request and emergency call act to enhance safety, along with additional functions enabled through the myAudi smartphone app like remote lock/unlock.
However, despite the above, the Q5 Sportback 40 TDI and 45 TFSI models build significantly on the comprehensive standard equipment offered in their respective peers in the Q5 model range.
The 40 TDI quattro S line gains highlights such as sport front seats and exterior mirrors with heating, folding, auto dimming and dipping. A suite of sophisticated interior upgrades such as the black cloth headlining, inlays in aluminium rhombus, accent surfaces in black gloss and illuminated ‘S line’ door sill trims add to the sense of occasion.
Additionally, the interior of the 45 TFSI quattro S line gets Fine Nappa upholstery with diamond stitching for the seats, inlays in matt brushed aluminium, diamond stitching in the front sports seats, pedals in stainless steel and other S accents, like contrasting stitching. The 45 TFSI also adds rear seat bench plus, affording the option to slide and recline the second seat row for added versatility.
Despite its sleek roofline, the luggage compartment of the Q5 Sportback and SQ5 Sportback can accommodate up to 510 litres – just 10 litres less than the SUV bodystyle – while also offering substantial headroom for all occupants.
The SQ5 Sportback TDI features the same exceptionally high level of specification as the recently introduced SQ5 TDI, with the exception of a dynamic new 21-inch turbine wheel design.
Service packages
Nine exterior colours are available on the new Audi Q5, as well as a variety of interior colour schemes – depending on the model.
The first-ever Audi Q5 Sportback is offered with the comprehensive Audi five-year service plan package, priced at $3140. The five-year service plan package for the SQ5 Sportback TDI is $3170.
Despite the high levels of equipment, select value packages are available: such as the Comfort package (40 TDI) and Technik package (40 TDI and 45 TFSI).
The first-ever Audi Q5 Sportback and SQ5 Sportback TDI are manufactured at the Audi San José Chiapa site in Mexico, which derives 100% of its power from renewable energy resources, generated by a photovoltaic plant in Chihuahua, Mexico.
After arrival in Audi dealers, Q5 Sportback and SQ5 Sportback TDI vehicles will also be available to order through the Audi online purchase platform.
Pricing (all plus on road costs)
| Q5 Sportback 40 TDI quattro S line | 150kW | $77,700 |
| Q5 Sportback 45 TFSI quattro S line | 183kW | $86,300 |
| SQ5 Sportback TDI | 251kW | $110,900 |