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The third generation Audi SQ5 packs a 367PS petrol powerplant into the brand's rejuvenated take on what a premium mid-sized SUV should be. Do you really need that much power? Not really. Would you like it though? You bet. It's not cheap but it does bring a welcome shot of sparkle to the Q5 line up.
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Driving experience
The ordinary Q5 isn't often sold to customers of premium upper mid-sized SUVs who prioritise an involving driving experience. So this SQ5 has a job on hand to convince buyers that it's a real alternative to, say, an X3 M50 xDrive or a Mercedes-AMG GLC 43 4MATIC; it is. True, the torque of this new 3.0-itre V6 TFSI petrol model (550Nm) is way down on the 700Nm figure of its 3.0 V6 TDI diesel predecessor, but power is up (from 341PS to 367PS) and of course the engine sound is vastly better. It's faster too - the 0-62mph sprint time of 4.5s is 0.6s faster than the previous TDI. Top speed is still limited to 155mph.
As before, there's quattro 4WD and 7-speed dual clutch S tronic auto transmission. What's new is that it all sits on completely new underpinnings, the 'PPC' 'Premium Platform Combustion' chassis. And the engine is aided by the brand's 'MHEV plus' mild hybrid system, which is different from the old MHEV set-up in that in addition to the usual system-integrated starter-generator, there's also a second centrally-mounted powertrain generator. The result is dramatically increased levels of regenerative braking - and consequently, a bit more of a positive impact on efficiency.
Audi says that drive dynamics have been improved with this third generation model courtesy of a more noticeable spread between drive modes and an 'optimised' steering and suspension set-up. The steering features the brand's 'Progressive' system, whilst the standard passive suspension arrangement now features Frequency Selective Damping, which adapts automatically to different surfaces. Adaptive damping comes only if you stretch to the air suspension that features at the very top of the range.
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Design and build
Audi says this third generation Q5 has become 'even sportier' - and that obviously suits this SQ5 model. There are the usual S-model touches - like big front corner cut-outs, a subtle rear spoiler, unique wheels and a bespoke rear bumper incorporating two pairs of potent-looking tailpipes. As with the standard Q5, there are both SUV and SUV-Coupe Sportback versions of this car, both with a wide gloss black Singleframe grille flanked by vertical air curtains and focused-looking LED headlights. The rear can feature the brand's latest OLED lighting tech, with entry animations and proactive features to warn following motorists.
Inside the 'human centric' cabin, this SQ5 adds the usual Audi Sport touches - grippy S sport seats and bespoke badgework. As in the standard model, a so-called 'soft wrap' element runs from door to door across the entire width of the dashboard. Together with fabric panels on the doors and armrests, this aims to create what Audi calls a 'homely ambience'. And of course screens are everywhere, primarily the 11.9-inch digital gauge cluster in front of the driver and the 14.5-inch infotainment screen in the centre of the dash. These together forming the basis for what Audi calls a 'digital stage', mounted under one huge slab of curved glass.
If that's not enough, there's the option to order an extra 10.9-inch MMI passenger-side display, fitted with a polarising filter so that use of it (for video streaming apps or to send nav instructions and media to the central screen) won't distract the driver. A 'dynamic interaction light' can be specified, which spans the interior as an LED light strip and not only provides comfort features (like a welcome function) but also interacts with the safety and communication systems to more quickly alert the driver.
Like its predecessors, this MK3 SQ5 is supremely practical. There's a fully adjustable tilting/sliding rear seat and three adults could fit on the second row bench. Boot capacity is increased - now rated at 520-litres in the SUV and up to 1,473-litres with the backrest folded. Usefully, the luggage compartment can be stowed in a specially designed compartment under the boot floor.
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Market and model
Prices start at around £75,000 for the 'Edition 1' launch version. This new SQ5 comes with a newly-developed configurable head-up display that can control vehicle and infotainment functions. And all variants will of course get the usual executive niceties, with features like navigation, a powered tailgate and a wireless smartphone charger. For those wanting to spend more, various option packs will bundle together key extra features. You may be particularly attracted by the optional 'Sound and Vision pack' that includes the 16-speaker 685-watt Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System.
Only the priciest variants will get things like the digital OLED lights and air suspension with adaptive damping. Desirable options include a panoramic roof with Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystals, which can transform itself from translucent to opaque at the touch of a button. 'Edition 1'-spec will include the optional 10.9-inch MMI front passenger display. All the usual camera driver assistance safety systems you'd expect are of course included.
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Cost of ownership
The combined cycle fuel return is up to 34.9mpg, with up to 185g/km of CO2. The key engineering efficiency development with this new SQ5 is, as we told you in our 'Driving' section, the new 'MHEV plus' mild hybrid system that features on all versions. This is based on a 48-volt on-board electrical system that supports the combustion engine and reduces CO2 emissions while increasing performance. Its added powertrain generator (the 'PTG') enables electric driving components that contribute to a reduction in fuel consumption - Audi quotes 29.4mpg on the combined cycle and 182g/km of CO2.
The 'MHEV plus' system offers advantages in CO2 emissions compared to the previous MHEV set-up. Over the WLTP driving cycle, these total up to 17g/km of CO2 in the SQ5. The system's 'PTG' powertrain generator can also add up to 24PS of electric power to the output of the combustion engine. When decelerating, the PTG feeds energy back into the battery at up to 25kW. As a result, purely electric manoeuvring and parking are possible to a limited extent.
Thanks to the option of using an electric air conditioning compressor, the air conditioning system can also be operated when the vehicle is stopped at traffic lights and the combustion engine is switched off. With the integrated and blending-capable brake control system, the brake pedal and the brake hydraulics can be completely decoupled. In models with the 'MHEV plus' system, it achieves the necessary deceleration without using the friction brakes thanks to regenerative braking. This means that deceleration is initially achieved solely by recuperation. The friction brakes only kick in when the brake pedal is pressed harder. The brake feel remains unaffected by this.
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Summary
This new era Audi SQ5 is a fascinating glimpse into the state of the SUV building art. Okay, so shoving a hugely powerful six cylinder petrol engine into a mid-sized SUV doesn't sound like rocket science, but this is no ordinary engine and this third generation Q5 is no ordinary crossover. The combination of these constituents moves the genre on a good few steps. All too often with premium brands, and especially with Audi, the fast all-wheel drive estate cars already on offer are so good it leaves you wondering why you'd bother with the SUVs. The SQ5 poses just one question to that mindset: why not?
With 367PS on tap, you're never short of power and with a generous 550Nm of torque on tap, overtaking is almost instant. But is this car just a little bit over the top? Probably. Will you love it regardless? Most definitely.
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