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AVAILABLE LATER IN THE YEAR: The Audi Q5

AUDI has finally taken the covers of its new baby 4x4 that slots in below the luxury end Audi Q7 and will be added to the UK range in late 2008 priced from around £30,000.

Measuring 4.63 metres long and 1.88 metres wide, the Q5 is only 1.65 metres high, which is lower than many of its rivals, giving it a more purposeful stance.

The front end is dominated by slim-line headlights on both sides of the large single-frame grille; on request, they can be equipped with bi-xenon lamps and LED daytime running lights. Viewed from the side, the large wheels and rising edges are prominent features while the slope of the roof underscores the coupe-like styling.

At the rear, the wraparound tailgate - made from aluminium like the bonnet - clearly identifies this SUV as a relative of its older brother, the Audi Q7. The tail lights are available with LED lighting technology as well.

Audi will be offering three different options for the external trim black (standard), contrasting colour or a full body-coloured paint finish. Two body packages are available as well. The S line exterior package imparts a more sporty look, while the alternative off-road style package with underbody protection in the front and back and 19-inch wheels gives the Q5 a more robust character.

To create more internal accommodation, the Q5 has a 2.81metre wheelbase, claimed to be the longest in its segment, creating a roomy five-seat cabin.

The seats can be flexibly arranged. The backrests for the rear seats are angle-adjustable and to fold down by activating the remote release lever in the luggage compartment. This compartment, offering access to a second storage area under the floor, then expands from 540 to 1,560 litres. Optional extras include a rail mounting kit for luggage, a net partition and a luggage compartment liner.

As an option, Audi offers the "rear bench seat plus", which slides 100 millimetres lengthwise to provide a load-through facility. The front passenger's seat can be outfitted with a folding backrest for transportation of long objects such as surfboards.

Equipment on the forthcoming Audi Q5 includes electromechanical parking brake, intelligent chip key, climate control, Bluetooth telephone, DVD drive, TV tuner, iPod interface and a Bang & Olufsen soundsystem. The navigation system boasts a high-resolution monitor for new, three-dimensional representation of maps.

On request, the Audi Q5 can also be equipped with the Audi parking system advanced with rearview camera, Audi lane assist (the lane departure warning system) and Audi side assist, which warns of hazards when changing lanes while Adaptive cruise control maintains a constant distance to the vehicle in front.

Additional high-tech extras for the Audi Q5 include the advanced key for keyless access to the vehicle, a tyre pressure monitoring system, the large panoramic glass sunroof with additional tilting function, the triple-zone climate control system, sun blinds for the rear side windows, the dynamic cornering light system known as Audi adaptive light, an electric tailgate and a swivelling trailer hitch.

The Audi Q5 launches with three engine variants - one petrol engine and two TDI units.

The 211bhp 2.0 TFSI has been entirely redesigned and features turbocharging, petrol direct-injection technology and the Audi valvelift system for variable control of valve lift. It can sprint from zero to 62mph in 7.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 138mph while averaging 33.2mpg.

Drawing on four cylinders and two litres of displacement as well, the 170bhp 2.0 TDI uses a new common-rail fuel injection system. Combined fuel consumption of 42.1mpg is combined with a sprint time of 9.5 seconds, peaking at a top speed of 127mph.

The most powerful engine in the line-up is the 240bhp V6 3.0 TDI which takes the Audi Q5 to 62mph in 6.5 seconds, accelerates to a top speed of 139mph and covers 36.6mpg on the combined cycle.

The 2.0 TDI transfers its power to a six-speed manual transmission while both the 3.0 TDI and 2.0 TFSI have the use of S tronic, a new twin-clutch transmission with seven speeds.

Audi equips the Q5 as standard with quattro permanent all-wheel drive. In normal running conditions, the transfer case distributes the power to the front and rear axle in a 40:60 ratio for a rear-focused driving style then when needed, the quattro driveline can deliver up to 65 percent of the power to the front axle and a maximum of 85 percent to the rear axle.

Although primarily a soft-roader the Q5 does include rock hopping capabilities thanks to the five-link front axle and trapezoidal-link rear axle, electronic stabilisation program (ESP), hill descent control and a body design that offers a climbing capability of 31 degrees of incline and an overhang angle of 25 degrees thanks to the short front overhang.

10:55am Tuesday 29th April 2008

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