September 29 is when Audi will showcase the new-generation Q5 at the Paris Motor Show. The carmaker has sped up its marketing campaign by letting out some more teasers of the upcoming SUV.
The new images show off the new Audi Q5's front fascia. This is the second-generation model and features an evolutionary styling like its other siblings. It gets the trademark single frame grille and redesigned LED DRLs with Matrix LED headlamps. While the latter will be a standard fitment, the top-of-the-line variants will benefit from more advanced Matrix lighting technology. In a recent revelation, it came to light that the Q5 will carry over the A4's new gearlever. In addition, the car’s interior will also sport the new Virtual Cockpit display and MMI touch infotainment system.
This 2017 model will underpin a new MLB Evo platform, which is also used by the new Audi A4 that went on sale in India recently. The new Q5 is expected to be 100kg lighter than its predecessor, thanks to the use of high tensile steel in its construction. This should also help the carmaker in getting a better fuel efficiency, while the vehicle also goes down on the CO2 emission levels.
The carmaker is still tight-lipped about the powertrain options for the Q5. We can expect the diesel engine line-up to include the popular 2.0-litre four-cylinder TDI unit and the 3.0-litre V6 TDI. For the petrol version, the 1.8-litre four-cylinder TFSI powerplant might be the choice. Then the transmission options could include the six-speed manual or seven-speed S-Tronic. There are also chances of Audi equipping the SUV with the more modern eight-speed tiptronic unit on the top-end trims.
It is confirmed that Audi's new facility in San Jose, Mexico will start producing the 2017 Q5 this month. We can expect the SUV to be launched for the Indian market through the CKD route, as the carmaker's Indian counterpart at Aurangabad starts assembling the vehicle early next year. When launched, the Audi Q5 will compete with the Land Rover Discovery Sport, Mercedes-Benz GLC, BMW X3 and even the Volvo XC60 in our country.