The Audi Q5 is adapting to the fast-changing digital landscape with a raft of technology.
The successful midsize SUV has been extensively updated inside and out with features such as the latest Audi touch-screen MMI Touch control in the cabin and new digital OLED exterior lighting for top-tier versions.
Due to arrive in the UK in the autumn, the upgraded Q5 will initially be available here with the familiar Sport, S line and Vorsprung specification options, and also in exclusive Edition 1 form for the first time.
Distinctive exterior design
The width and height of the Q5 remain at 1.89m and 1.66m respectively, it is now 19mm longer at 4.8m, primarily due to its new, larger bumpers. However, its octagonal Singleframe is shallower and appears wider than before, and the air intakes that flank it have grown in height and are now structured by trapezoidal insets. In S line, Edition 1 and top-tier Vorsprung models the grille within the Singleframe also has a honeycomb design.
Powerful performance, low emissions
A broad spread of TDI and TFSI engines will ultimately be available for the updated Q5, and the successful Q5 TFSI e plug-in hybrid will also be reinstated with a choice of two outputs. The first models will carry the 40 TDI quattro badge, meaning they have a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with peak power increased from 190PS to 204PS, and peak torque of 400Nm.
In conjunction with a seven-speed S tronic transmission it makes light work of propelling the car to 62mph from rest in 7.6 seconds and onwards to a top speed of 137mph where conditions allow.
A mild hybrid system (MHEV) and the latest on-demand version of quattro all-wheel-drive enable the Audi Q5 to coast with the engine off at speeds of up to 99mph, and initiates its start-stop function from speeds of 13mph.
UK range debut for Edition 1 model
The new Edition 1 builds on the S line specifications of privacy glass and exclusive front and rear bumpers and side skirts. This trim also has matt black, diamond-cut 20-inch Audi Sport alloy wheels and adding a black styling pack.
The Vorsprung version gets larger 21-inch diamond-cut Audi Sport alloy wheels in gloss anthracite black. Exclusive to the UK version, the lights are equipped with organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) that generate a homogenous light surface. Each is split into three tiles of six segments each, which enables Audi designers and developers to create different light designs and signatures.
The interior design: a light touch and first-class quality
Inside, there’s a larger 10.1 inch touch screen diagonally across the range, and the rotary controller in the centre console has been replaced by a storage compartment. Travellers in the updated Q5 can enjoy its technological gains from the comfort of front sport seats upholstered in Twin Leather in the lead-in Sport model, Alcantara and leather in the S line variant or diamond stitched Fine Nappa leather in the Edition 1 and top flight Vorsprung.
Driver assistance sytems
The Q5 has front and rear parking sensors complemented by a reversing camera, cruise control, the pre-sense city collision avoidance and mitigation system and hill descent control. However, the Vorsprung version has upgraded adaptive cruise control and pre-sense systems as well as assistants to take care of everything from manoeuvring into a parking space and then reversing out again to turning at junctions, monitoring blindspots and observing motorway lane boundaries. Its extensive list also includes the predictive efficiency assistant, which automatically adjusts the driving speed to suit the situation, the topography of the route, speed limits and road users driving ahead, helping to reduce fuel consumption by as much as 10 per cent.