Audi Q5 is the perfect size

There can be little doubt that Audi as a manufacturer has become one of the aspirational vehicles in the 21st century, writes Bob Hickman.

A mere 10 years ago there were only 12 models in the Audi range; in 2008 that has leapt to a staggering 27 models. The target in the next few years is to achieve 40 models within their range.

It is no surprise that Audi is looking at all the various segments and is determined to be represented, hence the arrival of the new Q5.

Audi already produces a large off-roader, the somewhat unwieldy in my opinion Q7.

I think Audi realises that currently people want smaller, more compact vehicles, but people who are in the marketplace for a 4 x 4 also want something stylish, capable of venturing off-road, although statistics prove only two poer cent of these type of vehicles ever venture further off-road than a muddy field, so the Q5 as a five-seater was designed and produced.

The Q5 is a medium size SUV, ready for those people who want to perhaps downsize from the somewhat larger unwieldy vehicle, and with a similar size to an A4 it certainly is an attractive option.

Audi is suggesting that it is offering a specific car for a specific market. The new Q5 certainly is a versatile vehicle and it really will be a vehicle to suit all manner of different lifestyles and family situations.

The designers have gone for a stubby look, by that I mean they have placed the wheels as close to the corners as they can thus reducing front and rear overhang which does relate and equate to better off-road performance.

Those aficionados of Audi will be conversant with the specification levels offered and Audi has followed its traditions with the Q5 in that there are three derivatives based on the Standard, SE and S-line packages.

The new Q5 will be available in early 2009 with a choice of engines. An all-new two-litre TFSi petrol producing 211 bhp with a CO2 figure of 197 and two diesel models, an all-new two-litre TDi producing 170 bhp with a CO2 figure of 175 and the up-dated three-litre TDi producing 240 bhp with a CO2 of 199.

The two-litre petrol and the two-litre diesel will be available in Standard, SE and S-line and the three-litre diesel is offered only in SE or S-line.

The choice of transmission is a further decision to be made; the two-litre petrol and three-litre diesel will initially be available with the new seven-speed S-tronic twin clutch transmission, which was previously known as the DSG gearbox.

The two-litre diesel TDi will be equipped with the six-speed manual transmission.

Audi designers have taken the unusual step of mounting the engine in a longitudinal manner. This it suggests will help to give an improved driving experience and assist in the handling and dynamics of the vehicle.

Extensive use has been made of aluminium especially in the suspension department and this of course all adds in to the unsprung weight characteristics that when you ally these to the design structure with the wheels at the proximity of each corner it does translate to on-road road holding and handling characteristics which are inspirational.

Q5s are equipped as standard with Audi’s superb quattro system, this has a 40/60 front to rear power distribution in normal driving conditions but can deliver up to 65 per cent to the front and 85 per cent to the rear if in actual fact the requirement is there.

The driving dynamics of the vehicles are impressive, if you want sharp, car-like handling and a car-like handling experience then the Q5 could be the vehicle within the off-road segment that qualifies.

The opportunity to drive a two-litre petrol and the three-litre diesel were grabbed with a relish and without doubt both of these engines would be suitable if it was your hard earned cash in the market place to buy them.

You need to sit down carefully with the economics of how more expensive a gallon of diesel is as opposed to petrol to determine whether or not you want the bigger engined refinement and extra miles per gallon that diesel gives.

The standard specifications on the range are quite good – standard equipment for example does include 17-inch, seven-spoke alloy wheels, climate control, air conditioning system, driver information system together with Audi’s concert audio system with a single CD slot and six-speakers with an impressive 80 watt output.

You would expect to find on a vehicle of this quality front and rear electric windows and also electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors.

Audi have gone down the route which I don’t particularly aspire to of fitting an electro-mechanical parking brake. I still like the good old fashioned lever that you pull up.

The performance figures across the range are very impressive, for example the two-litre petrol has a claimed top speed of 137 mph and a 0-60 in a mere 7.2 seconds.

Its sibling in its two-litre diesel mode has a top speed reduced to 126 mph and its 0-60 increases marginally to 9.5 seconds.

If it is the three-litre, six-cylinder V formation diesel that does is for you, then be prepared to look for 139 mph top speed and a scintillated 0-60 in 6.5 seconds.

This V6 engine should in addition to its sparkling performance reward you with 37 mpg on the combined cycle.

The smaller two-litre should achieve 42 mpg on the combined cycle and the petrol derivative 33.2 mpg, so the differential between two-litre petrol and two-litre diesel is not really that great.

The driving dynamics make the choice I think the diesel being a lethargic, torquey engine enables you to amble along but make progress whereas the petrol as we all know needs a few more revs to make progress.

Audi has priced the Q5 starting at £27,650 for the standard entry level two-litre TDi and the range tops out £27,540 for the three-litre TDi SE derivative.

By Bob Hickman