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By
EWAN KENNEDY
21 July 2008
Pleased
with the success of its big Q7 SUV, Audi has just released a
smaller brother to the range. Audi Q5 is a handy size,
significantly so because the only real complaint we have ever
heard about the Q7 is about its bulk. Its sheer size is due to the
fact it was primarily designed for the US market. It works nicely
on the open road but can be a pain at times around inner city and
close-suburban areas in Australia. Now there's a smaller option in
the form of the Audi Q5.
Styling
of the new Q5, which goes on sale in Europe late this year and in
Australia in the second quarter of next year, is pleasing to the
eye. Particularly from the front where Audi's amazingly successful
‘single-frame’ radiator grille is introduced in yet another
theme, one that has echoes of the R8 sportscar. Continuing to the
rear, the Q5 slopes downwards and inwards to give the body shell a
clean 0.33 coefficient of drag. An excellent figure for an SUV and
one that’s sure to aid low emissions and fuel consumption.
Interior
style and quality of finish continue to be very high in a
tradition within Audi. There's good space in the big front seats
and the back seats can carry three without too much crowding,
though as is often the way two in the rear will be a more sensible
load. As part of an options package, the rear seat can slide back
and forward to let you juggle the amount of luggage and passenger
space offered.
Power
comes from a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines. Both the
diesels and one of the petrol units are turbocharged. The only
non-charged engine is the flagship 3.2-litre V6 petrol engine, a
unit that has impressed us in several other Audi products.
Transmission
of power is to all four wheels via Audi's quattro system. Though
not really aimed at serious off-road use, the Q5 has plenty of
traction on slippery surfaces and has ground clearance of 200 mm,
the latter significantly higher than that of quite a few other
SUVs of this size. Approach and departure angles, at 25 degrees,
are quite good for a vehicle mainly aimed at sealed roads. Audi
has even built in a hill-descent electronic system, so families
who want to go on weekend adventures will find the prestigious
German SUV will go quite a few places they may not have thought
possible.
Fascinating
features include drink holders in the centre console that can be
heated or cooled according to your needs. And a roof rail system
that can sense when carrying devices are made to it, and which
then alters the output of the ESP system to allow for what is
probably a higher centre of gravity.
We
did our initial test driving out of Valencia in the south of Spain
as part of the international launch of the vehicle. It was
conducted on roads in various stages of repair, though most were
generally in reasonable to good condition. Ride comfort, road grip
and overall nimbleness were all fine.
The
spacious vehicle felt more like a station wagon than an SUV, a
real credit to the chassis designers who wanted to provide
light-duty off-road ability without compromised hard-surface
dynamics.
We
did manage to find one stretch of corrugated dirt road when we
went for a wander off the beaten track set by Audi. The Q5 felt
softer in the suspension than we liked and showed a tendency to
pitch at times. That was with the suspension in its ‘auto’
setting where it would have adapted to the best plan for the
surface. We will have to wait until we can do comprehensive
testing in Australia before commenting fully on Q5's dirt-road
ability.
The
new Audi Q5 may prove to be just the right vehicle for the times.
Fuel prices are pulling some people away from SUVs and making them
to instead look at conventional station wagons. But those who like
the bolder appearance of an SUV will find the Q5 is a neat halfway
house, a fine blend of wagon and 4WD.
Prices
are yet to be announced for Australia, but anticipate the Q5 to
begin at about $60,000 to $70,000 and to range up to the mid to
high $80,000 mark.
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Marque Publishing Company
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