Audi has given its mid-sized 4×4, the Q5, a bit of a facelift with small design changes and mix of revised and new engines.
The main talking point for the BMW X3 and Land Rover Freelander rival is the latest selection of engines. New to the range is a 3.0-litre TFSI supercharged V6 engine. This replaces the previously available naturally-aspirated 3.2-litre FSI and produces 268bhp and 400Nm of pulling power.
This allows the Q5 to get from 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds, and on to a top speed of 145mph. In terms of costs, the new engine is capable of a claimed 33.2mpg.
As well as the V6 option, the Q5 is also available with a new 2.0 TFSI which produces 222bhp and 350Nm of pulling power. There are no details on the performance figures for this engine yet, though the manufacturer does claim it can achieve an average 37.2mpg.
The final two engine choices are the entry level 2.0-litre TDI with 175bhp, which comes with Quattro all-wheel drive and a seven-speed S Tronic automatic gearbox, and a heavily revised 3.0-litre TDI with 242bhp and 580Nm. The lower-powered option can achieve 47.1mpg while the top diesel choice is capable of an improved 44.1mpg, up from 37.6mpg, according to Audi.
All engines get stop/start, to help with fuel economy, along with new electromechanical steering and suspension revisions. The four-cylinder engines come with a manual six-speed gearbox. The 3.0-litre TDI gets the seven-speed S Tronic automatic as standard, available as an option on the 2.0 TDI Quattro. The top petrol model gets an eight-speed automatic gearbox, an option on the 2.0-litre petrol.
In terms of design changes, you’ll have to be some kind of Audi addict to really spot them. The roof line and wrap-around tailgate get small changes. The headlight design has been modified while there are some new-look LED daytime running lights. At the rear of the car the diffuser and tailpipes have been redesigned, while roof rails and crossbars are now standard.
Inside, the car has had some light retouches too. More controls now get a chrome finish, while the steering wheel, centre console and column control stalks have been tweaked. The materials, colours and fabrics have also been updated.
Finally, the car is now available with the new option of Audi connect for in-car internet services such as Google Earth, Google Street View, online traffic info and internet radio.
The latest Q5 model will be available to order in May, with the first deliveries beginning in October. Prices for the car start at £33,400.
