Audi unveils new Q5

Another new Audi, another case of the design boat remaining firmly tied up at Audi HQ. This is the new Q5, a typically attractive but uninspiring piece of Audi design, looking precisely as you probably predicted Audi's small SUV would look. It's smaller and more aerodynamic than its rivals, says Audi, and has plenty of space for five occupants and their luggage but, again, the interior is about as radical as the exterior. Mechanically, the Q5 is based on the A4 platform but comes with Audi’s rear-biased quattro permanent all-wheel drive standard. This, combined with Audi's efforts to reduce weight using lightweight steels and some aluminium exterior panels, should ensure the Q5 is a decent handler. It's not short of poke at the very least, with a re-tuned version of the VW Golf GTi’s 2.0-litre turbo engine (211hp, 350Nm) offering genuine hot-hatch performance: 0-100 km/h takes just 7.2 seconds and top speed is 222 km/h! The relatively low-emission 170hp, 350Nm 2.0-litre TDI will be the big seller, of course, with a 0-100km/h time of 9.5 seconds and a top speed of 204km/h. A 240hp, 500Nm 3.0-litre V6 TDI tops the range (0-100km/h in 6.5 seconds, 225 km/h). All come with a six-speed manual as standard but Audi/VW’s new 7-speed twin-clutch transmission will be optional on the 2.0-litre petrol and 3.0-litre diesel models.Standard equipment includes an electronic parking brake; climate control; a 7-inch monitor; 17-inch alloys and ESP. The Q5 should go on sale in the autumn and we expect prices to start in the mid-fifties for the 2.0 TDi.