New 2017 Audi SQ5 V6 petrol 10 | 01 | 2017
THIS IS THE new Audi SQ5, which will be available to order in Scottish dealerships at the end of this month, expected to be priced around £50,000. The new model gets a new 3.0-litre turbo V6 petrol engine with 349bhp and 500Nm of torque. (Related: We drive Audi SQ5 to Le Mans)
Audi has yet to give any details of a diesel version, which currently is the only version available in the UK, but the new petrol engine is more powerful than the current diesel Audi SQ5 TDI Plus, which has 335bhp. (Related: Roadtest — A5 Coupe 2.0TDI)
However, it doesn't match its 700Nm of torque, or its 0-62mph time of 5.1 seconds: the new petrol takes 5.4s. Nor — not surprisingly — is it as fuel efficient, returning 34mpg compared to the diesel’s 42.8mpg. The current SQ5 wins the CO2 battle stop, with a figure of 174g/km compared to the petrol’s 189g/km.
As you would expect, the new models gets Audi’s iconic quattro all-wheel drive and an eight-speed tiptronic automatic gearbox. It also gets active torque control that can brake the inside wheels as you enter a corner to improve the car's dynamic ability.
Driver assist programmes include adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, active lane assist, cross traffic assist, collision avoidance assist and an auto parking function and hill descent control.
Visually, the 2017 SQ5 benefits from gets sportier bumpers at the front and back, plus new vents and a diffuser to give it a more muscular look. There’s also a new grille, plus aluminium trim details to set it apart from standard models, and twin exhausts and 20in alloys finish the look. LED headlights are also standard.
Inside the cabin there’s quilted Nappa leather sports seats, a leather steering wheel and privacy glass with acoustic glazing for the front windows. As standard, the SQ5 gets top-spec MMI infotainment with an 8.3-inch touchscreen. The system can receive handwritten inputs into its screen as well as gesture control. It also offers LTE internet connectivity.
Audi's virtual cockpit technology, which uses a 12.3-inch display in place of the car's dials, is available as an option.
The rear seat bench plus in the new Audi SQ5 is split into three segments. Longitudinal and seat back angle adjustment are optional. Depending on the position of the rear seat bench, the luggage compartment has a standard capacity of 500 to 610 litres. When the rear bench is folded down, this volume grows to 1550 litres.
Related: Audi reveals Q8 SUV concept
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Jim McGill