3 drivetrains including a hybrid and all are AWD_all of the time.
Wayne Gerdes -
CleanMPG - April 30, 2012
The Audi Q5 compact luxury SUV is now even more attractive and with the hybrid drivetrain, more efficient than ever before.
Engines
For 2013, Audi is releasing the updated US based Q5 with three drivetrain options including an updated 2.0L TFSI, a 2.0L TFSI Hybrid and 3.0L TFSI taking the place of the current 3.2L.
The new 2.0 TFSI outputs an additional 14 hp while offering the same amount of torque (225 hp and 258 lb-ft) as the current 2.0L. Producing even more power is the new 272 hp 3.0L TFSI with supercharging which will replace the current 3.2L.
Transmissions
All three drivetrains will include the highly regarded wide ratio eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission and just like the current models, Audi’s quattro permanent all-wheel drive system is standard across the entire range.
Chassis
The Audi Q5 uses a independent front and rear suspension (five-link up front and trapezoidal-link in the rear). A new electromechanical power steering system is said to provide better road feel with direct gearing. The variable power assist system does not consume any energy in straight-line driving which like the rest of the industry, reduces fuel consumption.
Another high-end feature in the Audi Q5 is the Audi drive select system. It lets the driver vary the characteristic of the accelerator pedal, the shift points of the automatic transmission, amount of power steering assist and operation of the automatic air conditioning system via four modes, including an efficiency mode. When an Audi navigation system is ordered, a fifth mode is added that is largely user-programmable. Think of it simply as Audi’s ECO Mode.
In addition, three optional features can be ordered in the Audi drive select package. An adaptive cruise control, chassis with damping control and dynamic steering.
Exterior styling
Like all Audi’s, the damn things are a work of art in no uncertain terms. For 2013, the Q5 continues the tradition with the signature large intake grille, almost 0 radius hood edge creases, and aggressive LED DRL accents. From the side, a hard crease at the belt line and a soft cutout down low create a subtle 3D effect in certain light. To the rear, large wraparound cornering and rear tail lamp lenses with LED accents, a steeply raked rear window with integrated spoiler up top and a number of formidable horizontal body creases finish off the rears highlights. All told, you can usually recognize an Audi Q5 from behind via its LED DRLs but its rear end is where the real attraction begins.
The updated SUV is 15.2 feet long, 6.2 feet wide and 5.4 feet tall. Its drag coefficient is 0.33.
The engine hood and trunk lid consist of aluminum, while a large share of the car’s structural elements integrate ultra-high-strength steels.
Interior
Another Audi hallmark is the interior. Many of the user controls are trimmed in chrome and the steering column control stalks, ignition key and instruments were given subtle modifications. The narrow panels of the center console are now high-gloss black. All steering wheel versions, including versions with shift paddles, reflect the new Q-specific styling.
The ergonomics have been refined as the central media component, MMI navigation plus, now has four buttons, and its volume dial has an additional skip function. Other refinements include controls for seat heating, the new highly efficient air conditioning system, the Audi drive select system and the multifunction steering wheel.
Material selection, colors and fabrics have been updated with three new interior colors choices, three fabric and three leather qualities and a total of 35 different combinations offer plenty of customization.
Large fabric-upholstered surfaces are standard on the door trim panels; inlay options include three wood veneers and one aluminum version.
The Audi Q5 also incorporates rear seatbacks that can be adjusted. When the rear seats are folded, rear cargo capacity increases from 19.1 to 55.1 cubic feet.
Audi offers an optional electric drive for the tailgate, folding front passenger seatback and a tracked rear seating system with 3.9 inches of longitudinal adjustment together with cargo pass-through feature.
Infotainment systems and Audi connect
The following may be European specific as I do not have the US specs just yet. Audi will offer in their top of the line trims or as a separate package a Bang & Olufsen sound system and MMI navigation plus with a large hard drive, seven-inch color monitor, 3D graphics and DVD player. Many system details have been improved including voice control and the optional digital radio reception. The system is a standard in the Q5 hybrid quattro, together with the Audi sound system and color driver information system.
A Bluetooth handsfree system complements MMI navigation plus. Its integrated WLAN hotspot lets passengers surf the Internet and email with their mobile devices. For the driver, it brings customized Audi connect online services into the car, such as Google Point of Interest search by voice control, navigation with Google Earth images and Google Street View. Audi traffic information online, a service of Audi connect, offers the driver up-to-the-minute information about traffic on the selected route.
Another new feature is the smartphone app Audi music stream. Q5 drivers can use it to receive more than 5,000 Internet radio stations, and they can save their favorites to their cell phones. The selected program accesses MMI navigation plus via WLAN, and its audio signal is output over the audio system loudspeakers. Web radio is also controlled from the vehicle’s user terminal.
The Audi Q5 hybrid Quattro - One that we have been waiting for
The Audi Q5 hybrid Quattro is a full parallel hybrid powered by a 211 hp 2.0L TFSI mated to a hybrid motor (54 hp and 155 lb-ft of torque) providing a total system output of 245 hp. The Audi Q5 hybrid is a sub 7-second to 60 contender with a top speed of 140 mph. Yeah, I know those figures mean nothing to anyone in the real world but they are always quoted
At a constant speed of 37 mph, the Q5 Hybrid has an electric range of up to 1.9 miles with a top speed of 62 mph before an ICE-On condition arises.
And the fuel economy? 34 mpgUS combined on the NEDC so possibly a 28 mpgUS combined rating after certification has been completed in the US.
The Hybrid SUV can operate in one of three drive modes like all full hybrids.
- Driving on the combustion engine
- Driving on the electric motor
- In hybrid mode with a combination of both
The driver can choose between three programs. An EV mode for very short distance electric driving in the city; a D or mixed mode in which the engine and the electric motor work per Audi’s design for minimal overall fuel consumption; and the S mode for a more aggressive driving style.
The eight-speed tiptronic AT has been modified with a disc-shaped electric motor combined with a multi-plate clutch instead of a standard torque converter. Audi claims the electric motor should connect and disconnect from the 2.0L and 8-speed transmission as seamlessly as the VW Touareg Hybrid does and when it arrives, we’ll let you know
Li-Ion Battery
The Q5 Hybrid 1.3 kWh Li-Ion battery weighs 80.9 lb. The compact unit is located beneath the cargo floor and includes two different air-cooling circuits. Normally the battery will receive its cooling air form the cabin. After a certain internal temperature is reached, the hybrids electric A/C system will provide the necessary cool air until the design requirements have been satisfied and the system returns to cabin air operation only.
The Audi Q5 hybrid quattro can be recognized by its fully painted bumpers and by the hybrid-specific ten-arm turbine design of its wheels. 19-inch wheels are standard; 20-inch wheels are optional. Inside, special instruments display the hybrid’s operating state including a powermeter which unfortunately replaces the tachometer.
The Q5 hybrid quattro was released in Europe in late 2011 and should be available in the US possibly by late summer with pricing details available closer to its release. While we were not offered the FWD 2.0L TDI, the 2.0L Hybrid will make up for that miscue beginning later this fall if pricing does not get out of hand.
Linear Mode
