The powerful Audi SQ5 TDI engine tops the range, with 251kW peak power and a massive 700Nm of torque available. As expected, quattro all-wheel drive technology remains standard for both Q5 Sportback iterations. Scheduled for their New Zealand debut during the third quarter of 2021, the Q5 Sportback 45 TFSI S Line will go on sale for $110,400 (plus ORCs), while the SQ5 Sportback TDI will be available starting at $138,400 (plus ORCs).

The third member of Audi’s crossover utility vehicle family arrives in New Zealand later this year, with the Q5 Sportback and SQ5 Sportback TDI landing before the arrival of summer.

The highlight of the new Sportback models are their distinctive styling, which exudes a dynamic and sporting presence, while maintaining the powerful appearance typical of Audi’s ‘Q’ range. This powerful aesthetic is underlines by impressive on-road performance thanks to a pairing of efficient and sporty TFSI petrol and TDI turbo diesel engines.

“The Q5 Sportback and SQ5 Sportback combine sleek coupé looks with qualities that have made the Audi Q5 New Zealand’s favourite premium midsize SUV of the last decade,” says Dean Sheed, General Manager, Audi New Zealand.

“Kiwis have shown a great fondness for Audi SUVs, from Q2 right through to Q7 and e-tron. But the coupé appearance of our Sportback range has especially resonated in the local market, with 40% of Q3 sales, and over one quarter of e-tron sales attributed to the sportier designs.”

The coupe appearance of the new Q5 Sportback models features a continuous, elegantly sweeping shoulder line which emphasises the wheels and underlines the quattro all-wheel drive set-up. The ‘greenhouse’ extends low over the body and begins its downward slope early. The starkly sloped rear window and the seemingly high-mounted rear bumper give the Q5 Sportback a dynamic and powerful appearance.

Large air inlets flank the octagonal ‘Singleframe’ grille, the headlights with their distinctive daytime running light signature feature LED or optional Matrix LED technology, while digital OLED lighting technology is available in the rear lights.

The new bodystyle will arrive in two guises – a Q5 Sportback 45 TFSI S Line and the range-topping SQ5 Sportback TDI.

The Audi Q5 Sportback 45 TFSI S Line quattro features a two-litre TFSI, four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 183kW of power and 370Nm of torque, and sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 6.1 seconds. The drivetrain also incorporates a 12V mild hybrid system and a seven-speed S tronic transmission. Average fuel consumption sits at 7.6-litres/100km.

The Audi SQ5 Sportback TDI leads the range, with an improved three-litre turbo-diesel engine that produces 251kW of power, and an impressive maximum torque figure of 700Nm constantly available from 1,750 rpm to 3,250rpm. The SQ5 Sportback TDI also features a smooth-shifting eight-speed tiptronic transmission and a 48V mild hybrid system (capable of recovering up to 8kW of power under deceleration). Average fuel consumption for the sports variant is 7.1-litres/100km.

Both variants feature Audi’s quattro permanent all-wheel drive system, while a sport differential is available as an option on the performance variant, which actively distributes torque between the rear wheels to the outside wheel which has the better grip to further improve agility.

Adaptive air suspension comes as standard on the SQ5 Sportback and is available as an option on the Q5 Sportback. This feature adapts the body’s ride height over a range of 60mm to specific driving situations on or off-road.

Due to arrive in the third quarter of 2021, the Q5 Sportback 45 TFSI S Line will be available for $110,400 (plus ORCs), while the SQ5 Sportback TDI will be available starting at $138,400 (plus ORCs).