The phrase ‘sport utility vehicle’ is bandied about recklessly these days, but nothing fits the SUV tag better than one vehicle just released in Australia.
The new Audi SQ5 TDI is as sporty as many a sports sedan. It’s the world’s fastest diesel SUV, at the same time being as functional as many all-wheel-drive wagons.
Powered by a 3.0-litre biturbo V6 engine, the hot Audi, we are told, will hit 100 kilometres an hour from standstill in 5.1 seconds. Yet it can slip off the bitumen to take on dirt, gravel, snow or sand like any soft-road trouper.
The maker says the high-performance diesel engine needs only 6.8 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres to keep it going on the combined urban/highway consumption cycle.
This low consumption puts the SQ5 TDI under the luxury car tax threshold, a saving in this case of $3000, passed on to buyers who shell out the $89,400, plus on-road costs, to drive away in one.
The S sport suspension, lowering the body by 30mm over the standard Q5, the Audi drive select system and 21-inch wheels in five parallel-spoke design, had the car gripping the road with great effect through fast bends. It was hard to unsettle the SUV, even on dirt.
However, it was when the SQ5 came to overtaking that the 650Nm of torque on tap really came into its own, the car passing slower traffic with confidence and pulling away with an assurance bordering on arrogance.
The sporty interior, in black, with an optional silver headlining, is designed to provide the perfect backdrop for world-champion performance.
On the practical side, the car carries four drink holders, plus bag hooks. The electric tailgate can be programmed for opening height with thought for the vertically challenged.
On the outside the SQ5 is just as striking, with design details such as the platinum grey single-frame radiator grille with galvanised dual struts in aluminium look, the roof spoiler and modified bumpers setting the SUV apart from the standard model. Roof rail cross bars are included.
The exterior mirror housings are in an aluminium look, xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights are standard and the exhaust system stands out at the rear with four elliptical tailpipes.
