Audi SQ5 Brings Diesel Power to S-line Crossover
By Seth Harrison
Audi chose Le Mans weekend to unveil the newest and sportiest model in the Q5 range. The Audi SQ5 has 20-inch wheels, a lowered sport suspension, an Alcantara-swathed interior and diesel power under the hood.
Enthusiasts need not despair, though. Audi has fitted the SQ5 with a 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 diesel that churns out 313 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. This is also the first diesel to grace Audi's S line of performance vehicles.
Audi claims that the SQ5 TDI will run from standstill to 62 mph in 5.1 seconds and return up to 32 mpg. We suspect achieving both of those numbers at the same time is highly unlikely.
An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard, as is Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system.
Inside, the appointments are typical Audi S line, with aluminum accents and a liberal smattering of S badges.
While the SQ5 TDI will be hitting European showrooms at the beginning of 2013, there's no word on whether it will be coming stateside. Those wanting a sporty Audi SUV in the United States will have to “settle” for the S line trim of the Q7 and its 333-hp supercharged gasoline V6.
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Oh, and for that, they would get a luxury, overpriced Audi. Who could possibly argue with that logic?
If one needs an SUV, then they can get a real SUV: this is nothing more than ornamentation, like jewelry. And ANY true station wagon has more usable space than an SUV. Any!
The SUV, because of its high center of gravity will never have the handling and performance of a sportwagon, and having such a high center of gravity causes rollovers, making sport utilitiy vehicles dangerous at any speed.
You still have not learned to drive a manual, have you? Do find yourself a teacher.
The manual is dying only in your mind: you will rarely find an automatic in Europe, and even here, the manual might be the only thing that gives generation Y the incentive to sit behind the steering wheel.
@Steve-80
First, obviously you aren't an auto enthusiast, and I understand that. But there are many of us still around and we have specific tastes. Deal with it. If that puts you in the minority on this message board, that's your problem.
Second, if you don't like what Annatar has written, DON'T READ IT.
Third, I'm sure many people on here are getting tired of your whining about those of us who still drive simply for the enjoyment of driving.
Move on and get over it.
Annatar,
First, the manual transmission is dying. Deal with it. If you can't deal with it, then get a good pair of walking shoes, buy a decent bike, take public tansportation, don't buy a new car; whatever you need to do, but stop complaining about it. The automobile manufacturers manufacture what the market dictates (i.e. what the majority of customers want and purchase). If you're in the minority, that's your problem.
Second, I don't see how it's a "sin" that it's an SUV. Some people need the extra space and/or live in an area where the ground clearance is a benefit. The Q5 isn't some huge lumbering beast either. The only time it's a "sin" is when someone who doesn't have a genuine need for such a vehicle has one to drive around town to look cool in.
Third, I'm sure many people on here are getting tired of you whining about automatics, and how there aren't enough diesels. Furthermore, it seems that you never have anything positive to say about any vehicle. If you don't like it, don't drive. It's that simple. In fact, it would be nice to have fewer automobiles on the road.
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