First Road test of Audi Q5 for Indian Market

Audi had a world media drive of the new Q5 on the Mediterranean coast in Valencia. After achieving great success with the Q7, Audi is getting into another segment of SUV market with the introduction of the Q5.

Audi’s typical large single frame grille coupled with the Xenon head lamps and LED daytime driving lights dominate the front end. From the side, the large wheels and the elegant roof contour give the Q5 a slim coupe like appearance. The wraparound tail gate with LED lights gives the car a nice rounded rear end. The Q5 is 4.36 meters in length and 1.88 meters wide with a height of only 1.65 meters that impart the car with the sportiest proportions in this category. With a drag coefficient of just 0.33, the Q5 is the most aerodynamic SUV in its segment.

Like most Audis, the Q5 has its suspension really well sorted out for dynamics and comfort. The direct steering layout provides an intimate link between the driver and the road. The five-link front suspension and the trapezoidal-link rear suspension use a lot of aluminum in them. The under slung steering gear applies inputs at the steering directly to the wheels. The large brakes coupled with 235/65/18 inch wheels keep the car well in control at all times.

The Q5 will come to India with two engine variants the 2.0-litre TFSI and the 3.0-litre TDI. The 2.0-litre TFSI engine has been redesigned from the ground up. The four cylinder engine with turbo charging direct injection and the innovative Audi valve lift system provide variable control of valve lift and timing. The 2.0-litre four cylinder engine produces an impressive flat torque of 350Nm between 1500rpm and 4200rpm. The power output of 211bhp makes sure that the car does not feel under powered.

The 3.0-litre V6 TDI produces 240bhp and sooNm of torque between 1500rpm to 3000rpm. After driving the car with both these engine options, it did feel that the 2.0-litre petrol engine with its omni face balancers was highly refined but lacked the grunt. Whereas, the 3.0-litre TDI engined car literally took off with the lightest touch to the accelerator peddle. The V6 TDI is so refined that it is impossible to tell whether it is a petrol or a diesel engine except for its power characteristics.

The power from the engines is driven to the all-wheel drive Quattro system via the new seven speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission. The ESP system has a sensor that identifies the load when the roof rack is loaded and the Q5’s centre of gravity is significantly higher because of the load on the roof. In this instance, the ESP cuts in slightly earlier once the handling limits are approached. The hill descent assist makes driving down steep slopes safer keeping the speeds below 30km/h. The advanced ESP and ABS use special maps for off-road driving. The ESP takes care by maximizing traction. The ABS automatically senses the conditions and adapts the brake pressure to the wheels.

The interiors of the Audi Q5 live up to the high standards that Audi have set in the automobile industry. The dashboard gauges and the knobs are in a class of their own. The leather upholstery on the seats gives excellent side support when driving hard and good under thigh support to the passenger and driver. Leg space looked a little cramped when the car was parked. As it turned out, the seat was set so far back that inspite of being close to six feet, I could not reach the peddles. When the seat was adjusted to my driving position there was more than adequate leg space for the rear passengers.

We picked up the Q5 from the Valencia airport. We were given a small briefing about the car and the routes that had been selected for the drive. Our first stop was at the Nou Raco Restaurant located next to a lake with a bird sanctuary. After driving through some city roads and motorways over a distance of 28km, we stopped for a quick bite at the restaurant where they had laid out four different loops for the drive.

Most roads were pretty smooth but there were some sections which reminded me of the roads back home in Pune. The 3.0-litre TDI that I was driving was a real flyer as far as engine performance goes. The car was even more fun to drive around the twisty country roads where it didn’t disappoint in the handling department and the ride quality. The handling of this car will put most sedans to shade. The ride quality has also not been compromised for the dynamics of the car with its low centre of gravity like a sedan.

No car is perfect as far as handling and ride quality is concerned but it is the best compromise that the Audi designers have come up with for this car. I spent more than four to five hours driving the 2.0-litre petrol and the 3.0-litre diesel around the country roads and motorways on the outskirts of Valencia. Even though I had taken a good sixteen hour flight the previous day (which had taken quite a toll on my body) the drive was absolutely relaxing and enjoyable with out any fatigue. You can throw the Q5 around corners like a sports saloon and enjoy the experience as it delivers tons of grip from the Quattro four-wheel drive system and the excellent suspension set up. At the same time, you can cruise effortlessly all day long in seventh gear at 120km/h which is the speed limit in Spain. The engine is hardly spinning at more than 2000rpm at that speed.

The drive back to the hotel in the city centre where I had to navigate the evening rush hour traffic was pretty easy. The variable steering made the car very maneuverable. All in all, the compact sizeof the Q5 makes it an excellent tool for India. It gives you all the luxuries of a high-end SUV with a compact size. The Q5 will arrive in India around March/April 2009