Audi SQ5 TDI – Australian pricing & specs

The world’s fastest diesel-powered SUV, that’s what Audi Australia is calling the new SQ5. And with a list price of $89,400 it won’t even break the bank. Relatively speaking, that is.

So let’s look at the performance of this SQ5, then. It’s powered by a 3.0 litre V6 biturbo, coupled to an 8-speed tiptronic gearbox and quattro all-wheel drive system. Peak power is 230kW and is achieved at 3900–4500rpm. Being a diesel torque is king, you’ve got 650Nm to play with in the SQ5 from 1450–2800rpm.

The 100km/h dash can be done in 5.1 seconds, which, these days, is not really that impressive for an SUV with “world’s fastest diesel” in front of its name. In the real world, it is fast enough, of course. So too is the electronically limited 250km/h top speed.

At 1995kg the SQ5 isn’t going to be the nimblest mode of transport in the village, but we expect, up to a point, it will be a very capable device, sure to meet the demands of the vast majority of it owners.

Audi Australia has ensured the SQ5 hits the market with a pretty good level of goodies included in the standard asking price. To start with the go-fast SUV sits 30mm lower than its lesser Q5 stablemates and rides on standard 20″ alloys. Satellite navigation, fully electric front seats, rear reversing camera, tyre pressure monitor and a model-specific flat bottom steering wheel are standard fare. Although, you are expected to pay an extra $1050 if you want an alarm on your flash new SUV.

Naturally, there is a raft of options which Audi would dearly love you to tick. So much so the first 60 SQ5s to land in the country have been loaded with goodies and called the Launch Edition. Don’t get carried away thinking this is a freebie, though, you’ll need to cough up an extra $14,720—bringing your new SQ5 comfortably into the six-figure price bracket.

Extras packed into the Launch Edition—available in Glacier White, Ice Silver Metallic, Monsoon Grey and Panther Black—include 21″ alloys, Bang & Olufsen stereo with digital radio, front and rear heated seats, dynamic steering, adaptive headlights, high beam assist, carbon atlas inlays and that alarm system, plus more.

We reckon SQ5 looks pretty good too, as the photos waiting for you after the break show. There’s more detail from Audi Australia as well.

Audi Launches the World’s Fastest Diesel SUV

• Audi Australia has launched the world’s fastest diesel-powered production-ready SUV
  
• First-ever TDI S model delivers stunning performance and frugal efficiency from 3.0 TDI Biturbo engine
  
• The Audi SQ 5 TDI is available from just $89,400 MLP

The fastest diesel SUV on the planet has arrived in Australia, powering in at an exceptional $89,400 MLP. The Audi SQ5 TDI is the first diesel S model from Audi, and is powered by a high-performance 3.0 TDI Biturbo engine. With 230kW and 650Nm, the SQ5 TDI reaches 100km/h in just 5.1 seconds.

Potent and pious, despite the SQ5’s incredible performance, the same efficiency technologies that led Audi’s TDI supercars to six victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans deliver significant fuel-saving benefits to customers. Sipping just 6.8 litres per 100km, the SQ5 TDI also qualifies for reduced Luxury Car Tax (LCT), allowing Audi to pass these cost savings on to buyers.

“It is testament to Audi’s desire to offer exceptional performance and exceptional value that we’ve been able to make the extraordinary SQ5 available to Australian customers at such a keen price point,” says Audi Australia’s Managing Director, Andrew Doyle.

“This kind of potent performance has never been available in a vehicle like this before and is clear proof that Audi’s modern engine technology is class-leading. The Q5 model range has already proven immensely popular with Australian customers who want everyday versatility in a sophisticated package. Combine that with Audi’s Le Mans-winning high-performance TDI technology and you have a sophisticated SUV that is versatile, vigorous and very efficient.”

“I’m very confident that Australian luxury car buyers will love this vehicle,” Mr Doyle said.

High-performance TDI power

The 3.0 TDI Biturbo engine is charged by two turbochargers, producing no less than 230 kW in power and delivering a whopping 650 Nm of torque between 1,450 and 2,800 rpm.

The V6 diesel has a displacement of 2,967 cc displacement and is designed as a twin-turbo unit. A flap joins the two turbochargers which are arranged in series. The cooling of the cylinder heads, control times and strokes of the intake camshafts, the pistons, their spray oil cooling and the piston rods have been adapted to the high-performance concept. The common rail system builds a pressure of up to 2,000 bar and can execute up to eight partial injections into the cylinders.

A sound actuator in the exhaust system gives the twin-turbo-V6 a deep sonorous sound. This kind of sporty engine note from a diesel engine was previously unheard of.

The Audi SQ5 TDI handles the sprint from zero to 100 km/h in a nimble 5.1 seconds, and its top speed is 250 km/h. Its combined fuel consumption is only 6.8 litres per 100 km on average – a value that is also enabled by contributions from the thermal management, energy recovery and start-stop systems as well as the regulated oil pump. An eight-speed tiptronic shifts quickly and smoothly, driving power through the quattro permanent four-wheel drive system.

The stiffer S sport suspension lowers the body by 30 mm, and size 255/45 tyres are mounted to the 20-inch wheels in five parallel spoke design. The black brake calipers on the front wheels are decorated with SQ5 badges. The Audi drive select dynamic handling system is standard.

Exterior Design

Among the special design details are the platinum grey single-frame radiator grille with its galvanized dual struts in aluminium look, the roof spoiler and modified bumpers which are especially eye-catching.

The exterior mirror housings are designed in an aluminium look, xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights are included as a standard feature, and the exhaust system dominates at the rear with four elliptical tailpipes. Audi also offers the optional crystal effect exterior colours – Estoril Blue and Panther Black – for this new top model.

Interior

The sleek and sporty interior is designed in black, with an optional silver headlining. The electrically-adjustable sport seats are upholstered in fine Nappa leather, and are available in three colours. Interior inlays consist of brushed aluminium, or carbon atlas, piano finish black and aluminium beaufort as options.

The scales of the instruments are grey and their needles are white, while the pedals and shift paddles glisten in an aluminium look. Features such as the S gear shift knob, S badges on the door sill trims, on the start button and on the specially-shaped steering wheel, the S welcome screen and the light package accentuate the interior with special highlights.

Equipment highlights

The SQ5 TDI features a very high level of standard specification, in keeping with its position at the top of the Q5 range. Highlights include:

• MMI Navigation plus
  
• Rear reversing camera
  
• Flat-bottom sports steering wheel
  
• Tyre pressure monitor
  
• Electric driver and passenger seats with memory function (including mirrors)

Launch Edition package

The first 60 vehicles to arrive in Australia will be very highly specified and are available in a choice of four colours: Glacier White, Ice Silver Metallic, Monsoon Grey and Panther Black. The Launch Edition models carry the following highly desirable features:

• 21-inch alloy wheels
  
• Dynamic Steering
  
• Bang & Olufsen audio system
  
• Digital Radio
  
• High Beam assist
  
• Adaptive headlights
  
• Seat heating for front and outside rear passengers
  
• Carbon atlas inlays
  
• Privacy glazing
  
• Luggage rail system
  
• Partition net
  
• Alarm

The Launch Edition package is priced at $14,720, excluding premium paint.

Pricing – Manufacturer List Pricing (MLP)

(excludes dealer delivery and statutory charges )

• SQ5 TDI quattro tiptronic – $89,400

Download

• Audi SQ5 TDI – Australian specifications (360kb PDF)