Audi Q5
The Q5 is the performance SUV from Audi. It combines the dynamics of a sports sedan with a highly variable cabin, making it the ideal companion for recreation and families – for active people.
Body and interior
At 1.65 meters (5.41 ft), the Q5 is unusually low by SUV standards and has the sportiest proportions of any vehicle in its immediate class. Its elegant and sculptured design is typically Audi. The side view is marked by large wheels and ascending lines; the fluid roof contour emphasizes its lean appearance. The wrap-around tailgate is made of lightweight aluminum, as is the hood. The body integrates a large proportion of high-strength and ultra-high strength steel components that reduce the weight and improve rigidity, crash safety, and vibrations. There are three versions available for the add-on parts; Audi also offers attractive styling packages.
There is plenty of interior space, and the luggage compartment’s base capacity of 540 liters (19.07 cubic ft) can be increased to an impressive 1,560 liters (55.09 cubic ft) by folding down the rear seatbacks. Audi can also deliver an optional rear bench seat, which features a load-through hatch and can be moved by 100 millimeters (3.94 in). There is also an optional folding seat back for the front passenger’s seat. The front seats can be adjusted, heated and cooled electrically.
Drivetrain
Audi specifies six engines for the Q5: three gasoline engines and three TDI units. All engines are direct injection units; five of them are turbocharged. The torque of the gasoline engines is further boosted by the Audi valvelift system, which switches the valve lift in two stages. Regardless of the engine variant, the Q5 recovers energy during braking; the four-cylinders with manual transmission also come standard with a shift indicator.
2009 Audi Q5
The engines:
- 2.0 TFSI quattro with 132 kW (180 hp)
- 2.0 TFSI quattro with 155 kW (211 hp)
- 3.2 FSI quattro with 199 kW (270 hp)
- 2.0 TDI quattro with 105 kW (143 hp)
- 2.0 TDI quattro with 125 kW (170 hp)
- 3.0 TDI quattro with 176 kW (240 hp)
Audi equips all versions of the Q5 with quattro permanent all-wheel drive. A six-speed manual transmission is standard with the four-cylinder engines; the S tronic is available as an option with the most powerful four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines. The dual-clutch S tronic transmission is standard with the 3.2 FSI and the 3.0 TDI.
Chassis
The chassis similarly underscores the sporty personality of the Audi Q5. The five-link front suspension and the trapezoidal-link rear suspension consist largely of aluminum components; the large brakes ensure rapid deceleration. The optional Audi drive select control system manages the engine’s throttle response, the steering characteristics, and the S tronic transmission’s shift points. Two components which can be paired are adaptive damper control and dynamic steering.
The Audi Q5 also holds its own in rough terrain: the electronic stabilization program (ESP) and anti-lock brakes offer modes tailored to offroading. The ESP offers a clever function for road driving. If a roof rack is mounted, raising the center of gravity, then the system intervenes earlier at the vehicle’s limits – that enabled the Audi engineers to configure the base characteristic for decidedly dynamic driving.
Assistance and communications systems
On request, Audi equips the Q5 with high-tech systems typical of the luxury class. Audi lane assist helps to maintain the lane; Audi side assist warns of possible hazards while changing lanes. The adaptive cruise control system keeps the performance SUV at a constant distance from the vehicle ahead; its integrated braking guard function alerts the driver to the risk of a collision.
There is a similarly appealing range of multimedia components available. The top-of-the-line is the MMI navigation plus with hard drive, intelligent voice control, and DVD drive. A Bluetooth telephone, a TV tuner, a digital radio tuner, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system can be integrated into this system.
