2009 Melbourne Show - Audi Q5

Audi Q5

Concept or production: Production.
What is it: A scaled-down Q7 - like the Tiguan to the Touareg in sister VW's line-up.
Highlights: Australian debut of Audi's mid-size crossover on-/off-roader.

Rear-biased Quattro all-wheel-drive. Engine choice is 2.0-litre or range-topping 3.0 TDIs, or V6 3.2 quattro. Debuts new 7-speed S Tronic transmission.

Because its combined fuel economy betters 7.0L/100km and prices across the range are under $75,000 - in fact, starting at $59,900 and hitting $71,900 - the Q5 limbos under the Luxury Car Tax.

Both 2.0 TDI quattro and 2.0 TFSI quattro models will be under $60,000.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

February 27 2009

Audi Q5 Makes Australian Premiere

Audi's brand new Q5 compact SUV will make its Australian premiere at the Melbourne International Motor Show from 27 February to 9 March 2009.

This versatile SUV will be in dealerships from the 'launch weekend' of 7/8 March 2009 and will be priced from just $59,900 for both the 2.0 TDI quattro and 2.0 TFSI quattro models.

A powerful V6 3.2 FSI quattro follows at just $69,900 and the mighty 3.0 TDI at a sharp $71,900.

Audi's managing director, Joerg Hofmann, says the Q5 will find favour with Australian customers thanks to an excellent combination of fuel-efficient engines, on and offroad capabilities and typically top-quality Audi design and engineering.

"The Q5 is priced very competitively, and offers strong performance from each of its four direct injection engines. In line with Audi's Progressive Performance philosophy, the 2.0 TDI engine is exempt from Luxury Car Tax due to its low consumption of less than 7 litres per 100km.

"It is an extremely attractive package for compact SUV buyers, and we expect the Q5 to follow in the successful footsteps of the Audi Q7. It will be an important addition to our range, supporting our strong sales development and increasing brand profile in 2009," Mr Hofmann said.

Four engine variants are available for Australian buyers, all with direct injection turbo-charged engines and quattro permanent all-wheel drive.

At launch, both the 2.0 TFSI and 3.0 TDI variants will be available, closely followed by the 2.0 TDI and 3.2 FSI models in April.

The Audi Q5 2.0TDI quattro is exempt from luxury car tax thanks to its low consumption of less than 7.0l/100km.

All Audi Q5 models are equipped with Audi's consumption-saving 7-speed S-tronic gearbox. This new transmission means gear changes take only a few hundredths of a second and deliver virtually uninterrupted power flow.

The Audi Q5 is the first model to feature this innovative dual-clutch transmission mounted to a longitudinal engine layout. Matched with Audi's quattro permanent all wheel drive system with 40:60 torque split, the Audi Q5 offers optimum traction and superb handling on a variety of road surfaces.

Ideally suited to the Australian lifestyle, the Audi Q5 will follow in the successful footsteps of its larger sibling, the Audi Q7. With the largest load-carrying capacity in its class at 540 litres, the Q5, although compact, will swallow large quantities of luggage, sporting equipment and even the family pet.

It's versatile on and off-road capabilities make it ideal for weekends away, as well as day-to-day driving, and its streamlined coupe-like design and elegant interior mean the Q5 will look at home in the city, as well as open country roads.

The Audi Q5 also boasts innovative driver assistance systems such as a brand new MMI Plus Navigation system with 7-inch colour monitor and 40 GB hard drive with storage for up to 10,000 music files; Audi Side Assist for blind spot warnings and Lane Assist to prevent accidents caused by lane 'wandering'.

Adaptive Cruise Control is also available with 'braking guard' collision warning system which gives the driver an audible warning gong and applies the brakes when too close to the car in front; and Audi Drive Select for variable damper settings and dynamic steering control.

Audi presents new Q5 at Motor Show

The all-new Audi Q5 SUV will headline an impressive array of new Audi models at the 75th annual Melbourne Motor Show which opens on 27 February.

Audi Australia maintains its status as one of the major exhibitors at the Show, which this year is the only major motor show to be staged in Australia.

Making its Australian debut at the Show, the new Q5 has been designed to combine the dynamism of a sports sedan with highly versatile interior for leisure-time and family use.

With Audi's renowned quattro all-wheel drive and innovative chassis architecture, it offers a superior technology package for both on-and off-road driving.

The front end is dominated by expressive headlights on both sides of Audi's signature single-frame grille, while prominent features in profile are the large wheels and rising edges.

The latest version of quattro four-wheel drive, as used in the Audi Q5, is a rear-biased system that distributes drive power asymmetrically and dynamically between all four wheels, redistributing the power as necessary if one wheel is likely to lose grip.

Audi has a history of presenting very special cars at the Melbourne Motor Show, and the Q5 will share the imposing Audi stand with an impressive selection from the Audi range.

The Q5 is expected to make a significant contribution to Audi's rapidly growing market presence in Australia, which has seen four consecutive years of record growth and a doubling of its local market share since 2004.

Audi recorded a massive sales increase of 30.2 per cent for 2008, with total sales of 9,410 cars, dramatically bucking the trend which saw the overall car market decline by 3.6 per cent for the year.