Refreshed Audi Q5 set to impress
Jan 18, 2021
The newly refreshed Audi Q5 brings a renewed sense of style, smarter infotainment and computing systems and drivetrains that are both powerful and economical.
A “standard-bearer” in the premium midsize SUV market in New Zealand for more than ten years, Audi New Zealand says that Kiwis have shown they are drawn to the Q5’s combination of practicality, luxury, style, comfort and performance.
Specific updates include intuitive new touch-sensitive controls and connectivity, cutting-edge digital OLED lighting technology and mild hybrid efficiency across both petrol and diesel engines.
The latest version of a firm favourite premium mid-size SUV has just landed on Kiwi shores boasting a suite of new features and design elements to further strengthen its appeal. Audi says the new Q5 brings a renewed sense of style, smarter infotainment and computing systems and drivetrains that are both powerful and economical.
Audi’s designers have further enhanced the Q5’s expression of power, robustness and safety in a seamless blend of form and function.
The octagonal ‘Singleframe’ grille is now shallower and appears wider than before. The side air intakes have grown in height and are now structured by trapezoidal insets. The upper section of the LED headlamps features new signature daytime running lights.
Viewed from the side, the Q5 now has a lighter, yet more muscular appearance with greater ground clearance thanks to a redesigned sill insert. A new diffusor insert with a horizontal fin can be found at the rear, along with a new trim element between the light clusters.
The Q5 is also available in two new paint colours – District Green and Ultra Blue.
For the first time, next-generation OLED lighting technology is available in the new Q5. OLEDs are extremely efficient Organic Light-Emitting Diodes that generate a homogenous light surface. The optional OLED rear light is split into three tiles of six segments each, which enables Audi designers to create different light designs and signatures.
When ordering their Q5, customers can choose from three rear-light signatures, whereby each signature has its own specific designs for coming and leaving home. On switching the Audi drive select mode to “dynamic”, the lights change to yet another signature. The OLED rear-light cluster is also equipped with proximity detection. If a road user approaches a stationary Q5 from the rear to within less than two metres, all of the OLED segments light up. The full spectrum of the OLED rear lights is rounded off by dynamic turn indicators.
LED headlights are available as standard, with Matrix LED headlights available as an option, providing an adaptable high beam that offers greater safety and convenience without dazzling other road users.
Inside the cabin, the focal point of the new Q5’s interior is the new freestanding MMI touch display with acoustic feedback (the previous rotary/push control is now replaced with a storage compartment on the centre console).
The central 10.1-inch MMI touch display is standard in the Q5 – its menu structure with flat hierarchies is easy to use, searchable and allows inputs to be made manually or via voice control. Combined with the MMI navigation plus infotainment system including Audi Connect navigation & infotainment, the voice-control system can access the cloud for even greater flexibility.
S line variants of the new Q5 feature Audi virtual cockpit plus – a high-resolution 12.3-inch digital display within the dashboard with a variety of different graphic layouts. The driver controls the displays via the multifunction steering wheel. A head-up display is also available as an option.
Available as either a 2.0-litre turbo petrol or 2.0-litre turbo diesel, the new Audi Q5 arrives in New Zealand with a mild hybrid system (MHEV) that contributes to the low fuel consumption figures. The MHEV system enables the Audi Q5 to coast with the engine off, and allows for start-stop mode at speeds below 22km/h.
The Q5 40 TDI has seen an increase in power to 150kW, while torque remains steady at 400Nm. The aluminium crankcase weighs approximately 20 kilograms less than that of the previous engine, while the crankshaft is around 2.5 kilograms lighter.
Overall, this results in improved acceleration, with 0-100km/h achieved in 7.6 seconds (0.3s less than the previous version. The new diesel engine achieves a combined fuel economy figure of 5.4L/100km, while also meeting the requirements of the latest emissions standards.
The Q5 45 TFSI boasts 183kW peak power and torque of 370Nm, with fuel economy of 7.5L/100km. All models come with a seven-speed S tronic transmission, sending engine power to Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system with ultra-technology, which also contributes to efficiency. In normal operation, it sends all the power to the front wheels. If all-wheel drive becomes necessary (such as in slippery conditions or during dynamic driving), two clutches connect the rear wheels to the driveline in fractions of a second – in many situations this happens predictively.
The updated Q5 also comes with a comprehensive set of driver assistance systems. The Audi pre-sense city system comes as standard and helps avoid collisions with road users in front of the vehicle. Turn assist, collision avoidance assist, and exit warning systems are also standard, further enhancing the vehicle’s commitment to overall safety. Adaptive cruise assist, meanwhile, can largely relieve the driver of accelerating, braking and lane-keeping manoeuvres over long periods.
The revamped Audi Q5 launches in New Zealand with three models: the 40 TDI in Advanced and S line grades, and the 45 TFSI available in S line only. Pricing begins at $92,900+ORCs and optional extras (Q5 40 TDI Advanced model).
