Published on November 27th, 2020 | by Subhash Nair

The First Audi SQ5 Sportback Comes With Diesel Power

After the whole dieselgate scandal, we were sure Audi and the rest of the Volkwagen Group’s brands would start to shy away from diesels, particularly on high performance models. But that doesn’t seem to be the case just yet as Audi have introduced yet another diesel model into their portfolio. It’s the SQ5 Sportback, and yes it’ll be available with a 3-litre V6 diesel first while they work on the petrol model.

We say that his is a new model because, well this is genuinely the first model to wear the “SQ5 Sportback” model name. But if you want to get a bit more technical, you could argue that this is just an alternative body style to the SQ5, which has been around for years. All that’s really added is a sloping roofline and some mild design adjustments to the rear end. But we’re of the mind that the Q5 Sportback should be seen as a distinct model to the Q5, so it follows that the ‘S’ versions must be treated similarly.

Back to the topic at hand. The SQ5 Sportback will come with a 3-litre TDI V6 with 341PS and 700Nm of torque. You get a load of other performance upgrades, including 6-piston brake calipers made of aluminum and brake disks with a diameter of 375 mm in front. There’s also S sport suspension with damper control that lowers the body by 30 mm. This suspension offers a wider spread between comfort and dynamics when switching between drive modes.

While it’s unlikely the SQ5 Sportback TDI will ever be found on Malaysian roads, you can get a similar look in a smaller, much slower package with the Q3 Sportback, which is listed on Audi Malaysia’s online showroom.

For more on this, check out the press release below.

PRESS RELEASE

Following the Q3 Sportback and the e-tron Sportback, Audi now presents its third crossover utility vehicle, or CUV: the Q5 Sportback. This coupé with dynamic lines addresses customers who appreciate not just an expressive design and technical innovation but also a sporty character and a high level of everyday usability. Topping the line is the SQ5 Sportback TDI. Its three-liter TDI offers concentrated power of 251 kW (341 PS) and 700 Nm (516.3 lb-ft) of torque.

The Audi Q5 Sportback exudes a powerful presence as is typical for the Q models from Audi. Large air inlets flank the octagonal Singleframe. The headlights with their distinctive daytime running light signature feature LED or optional Matrix LED technology. The continuous, elegantly sweeping shoulder line emphasizes the wheels and with them the quattro all-wheel drive. The side sill trim on the doors imbues the CUV with stability and robustness. The greenhouse extends low over the body and begins its downward slope early so that the third side window tapers sharply to the rear. The starkly sloped rear window and the seemingly high-mounted rear bumper give the Q5 Sportback a dynamic and powerful appearance.

Innovative: rear lights with digital OLED technology

Audi offers the rear lights featuring innovative digital OLED technology upon request. Each light includes three organic light-emitting diodes, which radiate an especially homogeneous red light. Each LED is divided into six segments, which can be controlled individually. Customers can select from three rear light signatures when ordering their vehicle, each of which includes a dynamic coming and leaving home lighting scenario. An additional sporty graphic is displayed when “dynamic” mode is chosen in the Audi drive select system. If another vehicle approaches the stationary Q5 Sportback from the rear to within less than two meters, all OLED segments illuminate, providing proximity detection.

Large selection: colors and materials

Audi offers the new crossover utility vehicle in the “advanced” and “S line” exterior lines. Differences lie in the Singleframe, the side air inlets and in particular the rear bumper. There are 12 paint finishes and a variety of trims for the add-on parts to choose from, including the black styling package and both full and contrasting paint finishes. At 4.69 m (15.4 ft), the Q5 Sportback is seven millimeters (0.3 in) longer than its sister model, the Q5. It shares the same height (1.66 m [5.4 ft]) and width (1.89 m [6.2 ft]), but at 0.30 the drag also turns out lower.

The long wheelbase of 2.82 meters (9.3 ft) provides ample room on board. With its horizontal lines, the interior is clean and airy. The “design selection” and “S line” interior lines each give it an even more elegant or sporty appearance. They come in a wide selection of colors and upholstery materials, including top-quality fine Nappa leather. The “design selection” line includes the ambient lighting package plus – its lighting effects subtly bring out the typical Audi manufacturing finish.

Flexible space configuration: rear seat bench plus

The luggage compartment has a volume of 510 l (18.01 cu ft), which increases to 1480 l (52.3 cu ft) when loaded to the roof and with the rear seats folded down. Audi also offers the newest member of the family with the optional rear seat bench plus, which can be shifted laterally and has adjustable seat back angles. This expands the volume of the luggage compartment in the base configuration by up to 60 l (2.1 cu ft) – on the other hand, it offers enhanced comfort for the rear-seat passengers when the seat back and seating surface are set all the way back. The storage and luggage compartment package is also available as an option. A power tailgate is standard. In combination with the optional convenience key, it can be opened with a simple foot gesture.

The SUV in the guise of a coupé shines with a number of additional practical qualities. With its 150 kW (204 PS) 2.0 TDI engine, it can tow trailers with a total weight of up to 2.4 metric tons (braked, 12 percent gradient). Roof rails are available as an option. Hill descent control ensures safety when driving on steep slopes.

More ground clearance off-road: the adaptive air suspension

Thanks to its tight setup, the standard sport suspension offers direct contact with the road. Audi also offers an alternative suspension with controlled dampers or the versatile and comfortable adaptive air suspension. It adjusts the ride height over a wide range of 60 mm (2.4 in). The ground clearance can be increased by as much as 45 mm (1.8 in)when driving on unpaved roads, while the body is lowered by 15 mm (0.6 in) when driving fast. This reduces drag while increasing efficiency at the same time.

The vehicle’s stability also benefits from its low center of gravity. For convenient loading, the rear body can be lowered 55 mm (2.2 in) when the vehicle is stationary.

The optional dynamic steering varies the steering ratio and power assist as a function of the driving speed. A direct ratio and greater power assistance makes the car easy to handle when driving slowly, while at higher speeds the more indirect ratio has a positive effect on straight-line stability. The wheel diameters range from 18 to 21 inches, while there is a choice of no fewer than 21 wheel designs.

Sporty top-of-the-range model: the Audi SQ5 Sportback TDI

At the forefront of the range is the Audi SQ5 Sportback TDI². Its cultivated three-liter diesel engine produces an output of 251 kW (341 PS), the powerful torque of 700 Nm (516.3 lb-ft) is constantly available from 1,750 rpm to 3,250 rpm. An actuator in the exhaust system lends the sound tone and richness. Performance: 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 5.1 seconds, top speed of 250 km/h (155.3 mph) (electronically limited).

The 3.0 TDI has been made even better in many details. The pistons have been changed from aluminum to forged steel. This new material reduces heat losses and because of its strength does not incur any weight penalty compared with aluminum pistons The solenoid valve injectors are able to inject the fuel with a constantly high level of precision because a new piezoelectric sensor monitors the closing of the needle. It can perform up to eight individual injections per work cycle and also meter minimal fuel quantities with high precision.

A small, light compressor wheel rotates in the turbocharger of the V6 diesel engine, getting up to speed especially quickly – an important factor for the spontaneous and powerful development of torque. The intercooler now runs via a new, indirect water-air cooler in the inside V of the engine. The quick build-up of the boost pressure benefits from the short intake air routes.

MHEV and EPC: even more efficiency and spontaneity

The 3.0 TDI brings with it two technologies that reduce fuel consumption and enhance spontaneity. The 48 V mild hybrid system (MHEV) recovers up to 8 kW of power when decelerating. With the electricity from the lithium-ion battery, the CUV can coast for up to 40 seconds with the engine off, after which the belt-driven starter-alternator comfortably restarts the engine. Another building block in the 48 V network is the electric powered compressor (EPC). When moving off and accelerating from low rotational speeds, it accelerates the build-up of the boost pressure and ensures that the 3.0 TDI responds spontaneously.

Two SCR catalytic converters: exhaust gas aftertreatment

As in all TDI engines, Audi employs the twin dosing technology with two SCR catalytic converters in the Q5 Sportback for the aftertreatment of the exhaust gas. The first of these catalytic converters lies directly behind the manifold in the exhaust line and serves as a particulate filter at the same time; the second is located away from the engine under the vehicle floor. With the two catalytic converters, different operating situations and a wide temperature window for the exhaust gas can be covered. Thanks to the twin dosing technology, the SQ5 Sportback TDI² also comes in well below the limits set by the new Euro 6d ISC-FCM emission standard.

Changing gears quickly and smoothly: the eight-speed tiptronic

As with the 3.0 TDI version of the Q5 Sportback, a fast and smooth-shifting eight-speed tiptronic handles the power transmission in the S model. The quattro permanent all-wheel drive transfers the torque variably as needed to the front and rear axles. On request, Audi can supplement this with the sport differential, which actively adjusts the distribution of the torque between the rear wheels when driving in a sporty style, directing more torque to the outside wheel that has better grip – making the vehicle even more agile when cornering at speed. The outside rear wheel is also given more torque when accelerating out of tight radii in order to further increase the dynamism.

Supreme precision: the suspension

The suspension of the Audi SQ5 Sportback TDI² is able to handle the performance of the powerful diesel drive with supreme ease. Five-link suspensions direct each of the four wheels. 20-inch wheels with 255/45 tires are standard, but 21-inch wheels from Audi or Audi Sport GmbH are available as an alternative. Six-piston brake calipers made of aluminum and brake disks with a diameter of 375 mm (14.8 in) are mounted on the front axle. The S sport suspension with damper control lowers the body by 30 mm (1.2 in) compared with the Q5 Sportback and offers an especially wide spread between comfort and dynamism.

Along with the optional sport differential, engine, steering and the automatic transmission, the controlled dampers are integrated in the standard Audi drive select dynamic handling system, which allows the driver to manage the character of these systems via six profiles. A seventh profile (allroad) is added if the adaptive air suspension with S-specific tuning is on board – the air suspension adapts the body’s ride height to the driving situation at the time. Dynamic steering is another optional module.

New highlights: exterior and interior design

Distinctive details help the Audi SQ5 Sportback TDI² leave an even more powerful impression. Vertical brackets give structure to the large side air inlets on the front bumper. Filigree bars connect large octagonal honeycombs with each other in the octagonal Singleframe grille. Audi LED headlights are installed as standard, Matrix LED headlight with automatic high beam and dynamic turn signals are available as an option. The rear bumper integrates a bracket in matte aluminum, under which the diffuser insert and four chrome-plated oval tailpipe trims can be found. The new digital OLED technology can be chosen for the rear lights.

The interior of the Audi SQ5 Sportback TDI² is designed in black or dark gray colors, the illuminated aluminum door sill trims are decorated with S logos. There is a choice of three upholstery options for the electrically adjustable sport seats with the embossed S logos. Contrasting stitching adorns the seats and the steering wheel; a massage function and seat ventilation are available on request. Brushed aluminum is standard for the inlays, the alternatives are two carbon designs and a piano finish.

Market launch: first half of 2021

The Q5 Sportback and the SQ5 Sportback TDI² roll off the assembly line at the San José Chiapa plant in Mexico. They can be ordered now and will be launched on international markets in the first half of 2021. For the Chinese market, the CUV will be built in CKD production at the Changchun plant.

About the Author

Subhash Nair Written work on dsf.my. @subhashtag on instagram. Autophiles Malaysia on Youtube.

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