This afternoon Audi presented their new second generation Audi Q5 at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. The new Q5 promises to set standards in terms of connectivity, ride comfort, handling dynamics, efficiency and driver assistance.
Audi’s best-selling SUV received a modest redesign and is up to 90 kilograms lighter than its predecessor. Modest practical improvements on the inside come in the form of 10 extra liters of luggage space, and all-around increased interior space with more head- and kneeroom for passengers.
“The first Audi Q5 was for many years the world’s best-selling SUV in its class. It was no easy task to design its successor, but that is precisely why it is so very exciting,” says Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management at AUDI AG. “With the new Q5 we are setting the bar a notch higher. Among the great innovations are the quattro drive system with ultra technology, highly efficient engines, the air suspension with damper control and a comprehensive line-up of infotainment and assistance systems.”
Following recent design language, the Q5 gets a more edged and chiseled appearance with a grille matching that of most other Audi models. The new SUV has the following measurements: 4.66 meters long, 1.89 meters wide and 1.66 meters tall with a 2.82-meter long wheelbase. Despite having grown compared to its predecessor in almost every dimension, Audi have managed to cut 90 kg off the new model thanks to a lightweight construction setup.
Little has changed on the decent inside of the Q5 except for some options here and there. One of the options further personalizing the interior space is the ambient lighting, letting customers choose from 30 different colors. Optional is also Audi’s virtual cockpit that replaces the traditional instruments with a modular 12.3-inch digital screen and the characteristic from the dashboard emerging 8.3-inch MMI infotainment screen. The latter is now fully touch controlled via the mid-console.
An area where Audi promises to excel with the new Audi Q5 is driver assistance. The new range of driver assistance systems are supposed to represent a next step towards semi-autonoous driving. The optional assistance systems are bundled together into three driver assistance packages: Tour, Parking and Parking Advanced.
The first system is the predictive efficiency assist that we know from the Q7 e-tron. It helps the driver save fuel by calculating the route ahead through anticipating on curves and limited-speed areas. This way fuel can be saved and the driver does not have to worry about speeding. One of the earlier systems is lane assist and car’s top of the line safety systems include cross-traffic assist at the rear, collision avoidance assist and turn assist. Audi pre-sense city is a standard safety package which includes the park assist, and an automatic emergency braking system.
A familiar engine offering is available from the start. The 2.0 TDI four-cylinder with 190 hp, the 2.0 TFSI four-cylinder with 252 hp and the 3.0-liter V6 TDI with 286 hp are the first version to arrive at your local dealership. The Q5’s drivetrain however has been completely redeveloped. Quattro ultra is now a standard feature on the entry level four-cylinder versions, making the Q5 even more efficient. Also contributing to the SUV’s efficiency level is the redeveloped automatic transmission. The 7-speed S tronic now comes with a fuel-saving freewheel function.
The Q5’s suspension has also been newly developed and there is now the option for customers to spec adaptive air suspension on their new Q5. Audi drive select is fitted as standard, which includes the offroad and allroad driving configurations. Finishing off the new Q5 are standard 18-inch alloy wheels. The ‘S-line’ package comes with 19-inch wheels as standard, with 20- and 21-inch wheels being optional.
We will head over to Mexico next week to test drive the new Q5. Mexico is also where the new Q5 will be produced. Deliveries are expected to commence early 2017. For more information and live coverage from the 2016 Paris Motor Show, please subscribe to our news channel and social media channels.
