Audi SQ5 Sportback (7)

Audi SQ5 is a high—performance version of the compact premium crossover Q5, produced by the German company Audi AG since 2013 and belongs to the mid-size premium crossovers. Today, the second generation of the crossover is on the market after the 2020 facelift. We are looking forward to the appearance of the Audi SQ5 on the Israeli market, but in the meantime we are studying the updated version in detail.

The Audi SQ5 crossover of the second generation appeared in 2016 and underwent a facelift in the summer of 2020 (data for 2021). The second-generation car is based on the MLB Evo modular platform, which was used to create the base second-generation Q7, as well as the Audi A4 and A5. The new chassis, as well as the active use of high-strength steels and aluminum in the body structure, made it possible to reduce the weight of the crossover by about 90 kg.

Exterior
The updated Audi SQ5 2020/2021 received new lighting equipment, an octagonal radiator grille and other bumpers that increased the length of the car by 19 mm (now it is 4682 mm instead of 4671 mm), width and height reach 1893 mm and 1635 mm, respectively. The wheelbase is 2.82 m, the ground clearance is 200 mm.

 

The options for the car after restyling include Audi Matrix LED headlights equipped with an intelligent system that uses data from the camera, sensors and navigation system to analyze the road situation and adjust the brightness and adjust the luminous flux accordingly. Organic light-emitting diode (OLED) taillights have also become available, and you can choose from three light pattern options.

Interior
In 2020, the SQ5 received a fully digital dashboard with a 12.3-inch screen and a new multimedia MMI system with rich features, for example, it is able to "understand" voice commands and keep in touch with the environment according to the V2X principle (literally, "car to everything"). You can also give commands to the multimedia system via the touchscreen, and the former control unit with a washer located on the central tunnel has been removed.

 

The interior of the car is made at a high level, it is comfortable and looks beautiful: a multifunctional sports steering wheel, combined alcantara and leather upholstery, three-zone climate control. The minimum trunk volume is 550 liters, the maximum with the rear seats folded is 1550 liters.

Units
The new Audi SQ5 is traditionally equipped with a 3-liter V6 TFSI engine. The engine has a capacity of 354 horsepower and a maximum torque of 500 Nm. With a maximum speed limited at 250 km/h, a supercharged direct fuel injection engine can accelerate the SQ5 to the first hundred in just 5.4 seconds.

The engine is highly efficient due to the revolutionary method of burning fuel with a shorter compression phase. It also has the Audi valvelift system, a system that reduces the valve stroke in low—load mode, which shortens the intake phase. When the load increases, the valves begin to work with a longer stroke, providing the engine with maximum performance. A powerful engine and sounds accordingly, the characteristic exhaust sound is provided to all S-line engines by a special exhaust system with two exhaust pipes.

The motor is paired with an 8-speed automatic. Fuel consumption in the urban cycle is 11 liters per 100 km, outside the city — 7.1 liters per 100 km. All cars have permanent quattro all-wheel drive and adaptive air suspension, capable of changing ground clearance as needed.

Equipment
The list of basic equipment for Audi SQ5 2021/2022 is long, let's mention the Audi drive select system for selecting dynamic driving modes, electric trunk drive, Bang & Olufsen audio system with 3D sound effect (10 speakers and a subwoofer), massage seats, adaptive cruise control, virtual cockpit digital dashboard, matrix headlamps, 21-inch wheels and numerous driver assistance systems: an electronic stability control system, an assistant for starting movement on the rise, a parking assistant with front/rear sensors, lane keeping systems, monitoring of dead zones, traffic on the descent, automatic parking, projection display and more.