The first-ever Audi Q5 and SQ5 Sportback: Sporty, practical and elegant

Following the Q3 Sportback and the e-tron Sportback, Audi now presents its third crossover utility vehicle, or CUV: the first-ever Q5 Sportback. This coupé with dynamic lines addresses customers who appreciate not just an expressive design and technical innovation but also a sporty character and a high level of everyday usability. Topping the model line-up is the SQ5 Sportback TFSI. Its three-litre TFSI offers concentrated power of 260 kW and 500 Nm of torque.

The Audi Q5 Sportback exudes a powerful presence as is typical for the Q models from Audi. Large air inlets flank the octagonal Singleframe. The headlights with their distinctive daytime running light signature feature LED as standard or Matrix LED technology as optional. 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 seemingly high-mounted rear bumper give the Q5 Sportback a dynamic and powerful appearance.

Large selection: colours and materials

Audi offers the new crossover utility vehicle in the “Advanced” and “S line” exterior trim lines. Differences lie in the Singleframe, the side air inlets and in particular the rear bumper as well as the wheel size and design. There are 11 paint finishes and a variety of trims for the add-on parts to choose from, including the black styling package and both full and contrasting paint finishes. At 4.69 metres, the Q5 Sportback is seven millimetres longer than its sister model, the Q5. It shares the same height (1.66 metres) and width (1.89 metres), but at 0.30 the drag also turns out lower.

The long wheelbase of 2.82 metres provides ample room on board. With its horizontal lines, the interior is clean and airy. The “S line” interior package gives it an even more elegant or sporty appearance. It offers a wide selection of colours and upholstery materials, including the option of sports seats and top-quality fine Nappa leather. The standard contour and ambient lighting package advances the interior look of the vehicle in the typical Audi model interior identity.

The engine range at launch: one TFSI and one TDI engine

The Audi Q5 Sportback will be launched on the market in South Africa with two engine versions. Their power output ranges from 140 kW to 183 kW.

A 2.0 TDI engine is responsible for propulsion in the Q5 Sportback 40 TDI quattro. It produces 140 kW) and 400 Nm of torque, and accelerates the large CUV from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.1 seconds on its way to a top speed of 220 km/h.

A seven-speed S tronic and the efficient quattro drive with ultra-technology provide the power transmission for the four-cylinder diesel engine. In normal driving conditions, it directs the torque exclusively to the front wheels. The moment all-wheel drive is required, two clutches instantly activate the rear axle, even predictively in many situations.

With the 2.0 TFSI, a four-cylinder gasoline engine, the Audi Q5 Sportback 45 TFSI quattro sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds and takes it to a top speed of 237 km/h. The petrol engine produces 183 kW and 370 Nm of torque. Like the two-litre TDI, it uses a seven-speed S tronic transmission and the quattro drive with ultra-technology. A 12 V mild hybrid system (MHEV) increases the efficiency. Its belt-driven starter-alternator can recover energy when decelerating and store it in a compact lithium-ion battery. What’s more, the MHEV system allows coasting with the engine off, while the start-stop range already begins at a speed of 22 km/h.

New highlights: exterior and interior design

Distinctive details help the Audi SQ5 Sportback TFSI 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. Audi LED headlights are installed as standard, Matrix LED headlight with automatic high beam and dynamic turn signals are available as an option. The rear bumper integrates a bracket in matte aluminium, under which the diffuser insert and four chrome-plated oval tailpipe trims can be found. As with the Q5 Sportback, the new digital OLED technology can be chosen for the rear lights.

The interior of the Audi SQ5 Sportback TFSI is designed in black or dark grey colours, the illuminated aluminium door sill trims are decorated with S logos. There is a choice of three upholstery options for the electrically adjustable sport seats with the embossed S logos. Contrasting stitching adorns the seats and the steering wheel; a massage function and seat ventilation are available on request. Brushed aluminium is standard for the inlays, the alternatives are two carbon designs and a piano finish.

Market launch: pricing and availability

The Q5 Sportback and the SQ5 Sportback TFSI roll off the assembly line at the San José Chiapa plant in Mexico. They are now available for sale in South Africa. Pricing is as follows (inclusive of all taxes) and comes standard with a five year Audi Freeway Plan: