Thread: Audi Q5 3.0 TDI quattro

Never on time for work and that fashionably late entry at a party. We Indians are known for being late. Not good, but sometimes being late helps and Audi have proved that again with their QS. It was shown first in April at the Beijing auto show whereas its rival, like the BMW X3, has been around for several years now. Although it has taken Audi a while to come up with an answer, after our recent drive in Valencia, Spain, we can say that the wait has been well worth it.

The QS shares its platform with the new A4 and also the AS coupe. In fact both the A4 and QS have the same wheelbase and near similar modular chassis design. Which means the QS gets some of the A4's sports sedan feel and impressive dynamics. Since it's an SUV it has a taller roof and a higher centre of gravity, but Audi have obviously worked hard to keep the roofline as low as possible and this is evident in the more coupe-like silhouette of the QS. Since it follows in the path of the Q7, the styling appears familiar, but the QS is significantly smaller and unlike the seven-seater Q7, it seats five. But this is not the only difference.

While the Q7 is big and burly, the younger brother has better balanced proportions and looks more sporty and agile. It's not as tall, and leans lower to the ground than almost all other SUVs. The stylists have done well and the QS is a good looking vehicle with impressive detailing, but the standard 17-inch wheels look too small and it's good that as an option, Audi supply wheels measuring up to 20 inches. With the bigger wheels, the QS looks surprisingly dynamic for an SUV and in Spain, we found people casting approving looks and are sure that most Indians will like it as well, when it is launched here.

Inside, the sumptuous high seating gives a very good all-round view and back-seat occupants get a split folding bench seat that moves forward or backward and the backrest also reclines. It has lots of rear legroom and heaps of headroom and much of the facia is A4-derived. There is a sense of unfailing solidity and the interior shows Audi's great attention to detail and craftsmanship. Top end models get a new, easier to use MMI system, with topographic sat-nav maps and all the buildings in Valencia stood out in 3D on our test route. Both standard and optional features are extensive and there are plenty of cubby holes and also the option of a chilled/ heated cup holder in the console. The luggage room is also quite good.



The QS is initially being offered with a 2.0-litre petrol TFSI and a 3.0-litre, V6 diesel TDI, with both likely to come to India. The smaller but very refined and adequately powerful 2.0-litre diesel TDI won't make it here. But Audi should seriously consider it instead of the bigger V6 as the four-cylinder is far more fuel-efficient and will also allow for lower pricing of the QS. All engines have direct injection and turbo charging and the 2.0TDI distributes its power through a six-speed manual and for the other two more torquey engines Audi has developed a new seven-speed DSG sequential-shift automatic and this is the first application of the twin-c1utcher gearbox with a longitudi*nally-mounted engine. The quattro all*wheel-drive system is standard and the self-locking centre differential sends drive to all four wheels, normally in a 60-rear/ 40-front ratio. Should more traction be required, the system transfers power forward, to a maximum of 64 per cent, or to the rear, to a maximum of 82 per cent.

The Q5 like the new A4, also offers the optional drive select system where the driver can choose modes for suspension firmness, steering feedback, throttle response and gearshift patterns. The changes between modes are clearly noticeable and the sharper throttle settings of the dynamic mode make the Q5 even more enjoyable to drive. But even in standard trim the Q5 handles extremely well and easily establishes itself as a sporting SUV. What's also impressive is that unlike the X3, it does not deliver good handling at the cost of ride quality.

It scorches round sharp bends with hardly a trace of body roll, the steering is obedient, the grip inspiring and the ride always impressively refined. The Q5 feels much smaller than it is and does such a good job of going down the road that you have to convince yourself that you are in an SUV and not a sporty car. It's very stable at speeds and there is little road noise, but the large door mirrors do generate some wind noise. And when you have to slow down, the brake pedal is nicely weighted and it's easy to shed speed smoothly.

But due to its polished driving dynamics this is not an SUV where you need to eliminate almost all the speed before a corner as it revels in them. And when the tarmac ends, the stability control also has an off-road mode which adapts according to surface and also incorporates hill descent control, giving the Audi Q5 fairly decent off-roading capabilities. Audi took its time with the Q5, but has made sure its new performance oriented SUV has everything it needs to challenge its rivals. The Q5 sets new benchmarks for agility in an SUV and should see success not only around the globe, but also in India.