Audi PH launches high-tech, lighter all-new Q5 luxury SUV

After making its Paris debut last year, the 2nd generation Audi Q5 has finally made it to the local shores. Armed with quattro all-wheel drive system, high-tech features, air suspension, and improved engine, Audi Philippines aims to challenge the luxury compact SUV segment with their best-selling model.

As compared to its predecessor, the all-new Q5 looks sharper and has a wider stance. It has grown significantly at all sides, while shedding up to 90 kg (depends on the engine variant) — thanks largely to its new aluminum and high-tensile steel construction. Up front, the 'Singleframe' hexagonal grille hits the spot, crowned by the narrow LED headlamps and daytime running lights.

In profile, the sloping roof of the all-new Q5 gives it a sleek shape, complemented with straight character lines, bulging fender flairs, and 20-inch aluminum rims for that beefy appeal. Its high ground clearance also gives an impression of a luxury SUV that can go anywhere and can be adjusted via the optional air suspension.

At the rear, the beautifully-designed LED taillights looks striking, which is underlined by a subtle amount of chrome and the wide reflectors that wrap the corners of the rear bumper.

Inside, the all-new Q5 has immense space for 5 full-grown adults. The entire cabin is embellished with high-quality materials and high-tech features such as the 8.3-inch floating LCD touchscreen with touchpad and rotary controls integrated at the center console.

Better yet, the touchpad works like modern gadgets; it has gesture controls and zooming feature. Nice. The head unit is also integrated with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so smartphone pairing is easy and seamless.

Even the gauge controls of the all-new Q5 are high-tech — called the Audi virtual cockpit, it has a 12.3-inch screen that can be switched between the classic display (2 round instrument clusters) and the navigation map view.

At the back, the luxury compact SUV is also gifted with a lot of wiggle room and rear air conditioning vents for maximum passenger comfort. It also has a huge 610L boot, which can be maximized further to 1,550L with the 2nd row folded flat. Also, the power tailgate makes loading things into the trunk as easy as pie.

The all-new Q5 has 2 turbocharged 2.0L engine options: TDI diesel mill with 190 hp and 400 Nm of torque, and TFSI gasoline power plant with 250 hp and 350 Nm of torque. Both engine options transmit the power to all 4 wheels via a 7-speed S tronic automatic gearbox.

The quattro all-wheel drive system has been integrated with ultra technology. Aside from torque vectoring, the new concept disengages the rear wheels when not needed and proactively re-engages them when necessary. The result? Better engine efficiency without compromising traction and driving dynamics.

As for safety, the all-new Q5 has been awarded with the highest rating from Euro NCAP — an organization that conducts comparative testing of new cars for crash safety since 1997. It’s equipped with front/rear disk brakes and airbags all over the vehicle, as well as driver-assist technologies such as parking-aid, rear cameras, tire pressure monitors, among others.