Audi has given its popular Q5 compact luxury SUV a mid-cycle facelift, which brings its design more in line with the German luxury automaker’s current models.
From the exterior, the new Audi Q5’s front fascia features a wider but shorter Singleframe grille with a honeycomb pattern for the sporty S Line variants. This is then flanked by LED headlights, while buyers can opt for the optional LED matrix headlights which feature sweeping LED turn signals. The rear fascia gets a trim piece the connects the LED taillights, which can now be fitted with OLED technology. The range-topping SQ5 gets matte black exterior trim pieces for an even more aggressive look.
Interior changes for the new Audi Q5 are less significant, though it does get a new 10.1-inch MMI touch screen infotainment system which replaces the previous version’s rotary knob controller. There’s also an optional 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster and an optional 705-watt 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.
Under the hood of the new Audi Q5 are a plethora of new electrified powertrains. The range kicks off with the 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with mild-hybrid technology. This serves as the base gasoline engine for the North American market and it produces 261 hp and 370 Nm of torque. Zero to 60 mph (96 kph) happens in 5.7 seconds. There’s also a new plug-in hybrid powertrain that combines the 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engine with an electric motor for a total system output of 362 hp and 500 Nm of torque. The plug-in hybrid model sprints from zero to 60 mph (96 kph) in just 5 seconds.
The range-topping SQ5 gets the same 3.0-liter turbocharged gasoline V6 as before, which produces 349 hp and 500 Nm of torque. Zero to 60 mph (100 kph) happens in 4.7 seconds, 0.4 seconds faster than the previous SQ5.
For now, there is only one diesel engine option available, and that is a new 2.0-liter inline-4 that produces 201 hp and 400 Nm of torque with mild-hybrid technology. All aforementioned engines are mated to a 7-speed S Tronic dual-clutch automatic and Quattro permanent AWD system.
As with every new car nowadays, the Audi Q5 comes with a host of advanced driver-assist systems, which includes lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, just to name a few.
The 2021 Audi Q5 will go on sale in the fall of 2020 in markets around the world.
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