2013 Audi SQ5 TDI unveiled

[+Mirumir Subscriber¹]

2013 Audi SQ5 TDI unveiled

Audi has unveiled the SQ5 TDI, ahead of its debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Looking decidedly aggressive, the model features new bumpers, a revised grille and a tailgate-mounted spoiler. There's also a sport-tuned suspension (which reduces the ride height by 30mm), faux-aluminum mirror caps and 20-inch alloy wheels.

Interior changes are limited, but the cabin has been equipped with sport seats, revised instrumentation and plenty of S badging.

Power comes from a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 TDI engine that produces 313 PS (230 kW / 309 hp) and 650 Nm (479 lb-ft) of torque. It is connected to an eight-speed tiptronic transmission that sends power to a quattro all-wheel drive system. This enables the crossover to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5.1 seconds, hit a top speed of 250 km/h (155mph) and average 7.2 L/100km (32.7 mpg US / 39.2 mpg UK).

The SQ5 TDI will go on sale early next year and pricing starts at ?58,500.

btw, Audi scored 1,2,3, and 5 at this years Le Mans.

[tsupersonic]

Gotta love turbo diesels. Dat torque and dat mileage! But, dat name - it's pretty crap

[zeta_immersion]

Awesome car, don't have the money for it though ... a bit tall, but looks good

[Slugsie]

I love my old Toyota Surf 3ltr TD (4Runner in the USA), but that Audi has a bit more than twice as much power, gets to 60 in around 1/3rd the time, yet still gets nearly twice as many mpg. Now I just need to start saving.

[Chicane-UK Veteran]

Sigh. I remember when an Audi S/RS used to be something special. Now they stick that designation on diesel engine and in an SUV. Audi really are just dead to me as a brand :(

[what]

Sigh. I remember when an Audi S/RS used to be something special. Now they stick that designation on diesel engine and in an SUV. Audi really are just dead to me as a brand :(

Diesel tech is getting really good these days and it doesn't make sense to use petrol engines in SUVs anymore. If you wanted the same performance figures from this car with a petrol engine you'd be looking at less than half the MPG (~15mpg if you're lucky) and lacking the initial get-up-and-go a torquey diesel lump can provide.

0-60 in 5.1 seconds is just a few tenths behind the RS5. I'd say that is pretty special, and 39mpg is hugely impressive for those figures.

Audi's regular domination at Le Mans shows they can make a fast diesel. Don't be one of the fools who instantly assumes diesels are slow and boring.

[+Mirumir Subscriber¹]

Sigh. I remember when an Audi S/RS used to be something special. Now they stick that designation on diesel engine and in an SUV. Audi really are just dead to me as a brand :(

It's ok :) No one is forcing you to buy one. And Audi is just following the trend. Both the Benz and BMW has had their AMG and M versions of their SUVs for quite some time now.

As for the diesel, there's more power in 1 litre of diesel fuel than there's in 1 litre of benzene as far as the energy conversion efficiency goes. You know this man ;) This is progress!

[ahhell]

That thing is very boring for an Audi. Even the interior is really bland.

[ObiWanToby]

Father has the 2009 Q7 TDI. It reguarly gets 27 - 29 MPG on long trips 20+ miles. Compared to the Ford Explorer that got 18 mpg before, I'd say it is pretty good progress.

Economic analysis may not be as good , since the Q7 is much more expensive. The Ford at the time had differential issues and other things though. Audi has been rock solid.

I like the trend of Diesels in the US. People may scuff at them, but they provide a better experience than a gasoline electric hybrid.

[+Mirumir Subscriber¹]

Father has the 2009 Q7 TDI. It reguarly gets 27 - 29 MPG on long trips 20+ miles. Compared to the Ford Explorer that got 18 mpg before, I'd say it is pretty good progress.

Economic analysis may not be as good , since the Q7 is much more expensive. The Ford at the time had differential issues and other things though. Audi has been rock solid.

I like the trend of Diesels in the US. People may scuff at them, but they provide a better experience than a gasoline electric hybrid.

I've driven Audi S5 and Audi A5 3.0 TDI and tbh, it's the diesel version that should have gotten the S badge as her "pull" is stronger and the acceleration seems to be more dynamic.

[tsupersonic]

I've driven Audi S5 and Audi A5 3.0 TDI and tbh, it's the diesel version that should have gotten the S badge as her "pull" is stronger and the acceleration seems to be more dynamic.

Gotta love the torque produced by diesel motors. Outside of diesel engines, Mercedes is really the only big (German) manufacturer that cares about torque. Their engines (especially v8 and AMG variants) have impressive HP/torque numbers. Compare that to Audi, where the RS5 actually has less torque than the S5 (according to wiki). That's baffling.

Like Carroll Shelby said, "HP sells cars, torque wins races."

[+Mirumir Subscriber¹]

Gotta love the torque produced by diesel motors. Outside of diesel engines, Mercedes is really the only big (German) manufacturer that cares about torque. Their engines (especially v8 and AMG variants) have impressive HP/torque numbers. Compare that to Audi, where the RS5 actually has less torque than the S5 (according to wiki). That's baffling.

Like Carroll Shelby said, "HP sells cars, torque wins races."

I'm not sure you are familiar with ######'s 2.0 bi-turbo TDI (132 kW (179 PS; 177 hp) 420 N?m (310 lb?ft) as found on VW Amarok :D

[tsupersonic]

I'm not sure you are familiar with ######'s 2.0 bi-turbo TDI (132 kW (179 PS; 177 hp) 420 N?m (310 lb?ft) as found on VW Amarok :D

I'm in the US, and linky

[+Mirumir Subscriber¹]

I'm in the US, and linky

Yeah, I'm not a fan of price discrepancies either. The Canadians have to pay extra too compared to the auto buyers in the U.S.