2018 Audi Q5 - What to expect?

Audi introduced the new generation Q5 at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. It went on sale in international markets this year with a new platform and some technological, cosmetic and feature upgrades. The new and updated Q5 will make its Indian debut on 18 January 2018. Here is what we can expect from the Audi’s middle-weight SUV.

The new Q5 wears the Audi’s new signature cascading grille similar to the one seen on its elder sibling, the Q7. The new angular headlamps get LED lighting signature which can be seen on the new crop of Audis these days. Other visual changes include a revised front bumper with larger intakes and a redesigned LED lighting signature. The rear bumper has been squared off and finished with integrated chrome quad-exhausts.

As for dimensions, the new model is now bigger than before at a length of 4,660mm, a width of 1,890mm and a height of 1,660mm. Its wheelbase runs into 2,820mm and now the car offers more 10-litres luggage space over the older version.The new car is also lighter by a 100 kilograms over the outgoing model. The cabin is expected to be modern and feature-laden as well. Audi’s new Virtual Cockpit along with ambient lighting, large infotainment screen with MMI function and Audi Drive Select will come as standard in the new Q5. The car will ride on 19-inch wheels which can be upgraded to 21-inches as well.

Additionally, the Audi Q5 also gets two new modes - lift/offroad and allroad. Furthermore, many new safety features like active lane assist, blind spot warning, collision avoidance assist etc. have been added as well. Under the hood there will be a 2.0-litre Quattro Ultra TDI diesel mill tuned to produce either 163bhp or 190bhp while the torque is rated at around 400Nm. Audi might add a petrol version too powered by a 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engine churning out 252bhp of power. We can expect Audi’s Quattro all-wheel drive system to be offered too. When launched in India, the new Q5 will continue its competition against the other German cars like the Mercedes-Benz GLC and the BMW X3 apart from the Land Rover Discovery Sport and the newly launched Volvo XC60 and Lexus NX. We expect the Ingolstadt SUV to be priced around Rs 45 - 50 lakhs.