2009 Audi Q5 released!

damieG82 · Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:15 pm Post subject: 2009 Audi Q5 released!

The Audi Q5 is a compact crossover SUV to be released by German automaker Audi for the 2009 model year. It will be built using the new Audi MLP platform (Modular Longitudinal Platform) which debuted in the 2007 Audi A5 coupé. The Q5 will be the second Audi model in the "Q" range, after the full-size Q7. The Q5 will slot above the Q3, which will be based on the Volkswagen Tiguan.

The Q5 will eventually be offered with multiple engine configuations, including petrol engines, Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engines, and Hybrid gasoline/electric. Audi's new 7-speed S-Tronic branded Direct-Shift Gearbox transmission technology will also be available in the Q5.

The new vehicle will be built in Audi's home town of Ingolstadt. It will need an investment of about US$400 million in production tooling and expansion.[citation needed] The Q5 will also be produced in Changchun, China for the Chinese market. The first public introduction of the Audi Q5 was at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show on 19 April 2008, although a convertible concept car named "Audi Cross Cabriolet quattro" was shown at the 2007 Los Angeles Motor Show.

Powertrain options include a base 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, a 3.2L variable valve lift gasoline engine, a 2.0L and a 3.0L TDI diesel, as well as a hybrid petrol/electric version for future model years. The only planned powertrain available for the U.S. market as confirmed by Audi USA on July 9, 2008 will be a 3.2L 6 cylinder gasoline engine mated to Audi's 6-speed tiptronic automatic transmission driving Audi's quattro permanent four-wheel drive system. Any future powertrain options for the USA market have not been announced.

The Q5 will be available in several different trim options. The S-Line trim option upgrades the base Q5 exterior with more aggressive body mouldings and mesh front fog light grills. More paint options are also included with the S-Line. The Offroad exterior package includes front and rear underbody protection panels, along with flared fender and door sill protection for a more capable look.

Harmon/Becker Automotive Systems will produce Audi's new updated Multi Media Interface (MMI) technology as it debuts in the Q5. The new system will offer navigation, communication, and wide-screen entertainment. An embedded Nvidia graphics processor based on a stable previous generation GPU core will be used in the new MMI system, and will generate smooth map transitions while driving. A three-dimensional orientation view with true-to-scale terrain and photorealistic depictions of key landmarks will also be generated. Included features in this new system are USB storage media (iPod or MP3), satellite radio, and an integral four-band GSM mobile/cell phone (SIM card ready) with Bluetooth connectivity.

Estimated delivery dates to dealers are October 2008 for Europe, and Summer 2009 in North America. Hot weather testing for the US model is currently underway in Florida, California, and Arizona. Future powertrain options and other possible Q5 variants for the United States market have yet to be announced.

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DevilZ · Posted: Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:02 pm Post subject:

hmmm x3, x5, x6. well we know who dey competin against

wickedestman · Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 1:51 am Post subject:

DevilZ, who knows, an X7 in d pipeline for BMW, a Q6, for audi...

hrm.. let me guess.. the Q6 will be bigger than the Q5, but smaller (somehow) than the Q7 but look the same Neutral

damieG82 · Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 10:04 am Post subject:

Well rumour has it Audi is going to produce only one more crossover, a smaller one which might be named Q3... it would be based on the new VW Tiguan.

Once that happens, the big 3 luxury German brands would each have 3 SUV (crossover) offerings.

Mercedes - GLK, ML & GL (There's the original G wagon but being a true 4x4 it's in a different class altogether)

BMW - X3, X5, X6

Audi - Q3, Q5, Q7

Conrad · Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:16 am Post subject:

Not feeling it.

equipped2ripp · Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 2:42 pm Post subject:

it should be launched in TT in a couple months time..

BANzai Rastafarai · Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 2:48 pm Post subject:

that looking like a 70% Q7.....no innovation in terms ofa new design....cute looking van tho

pimptacular · Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2008 12:14 am Post subject:

its nice..but still prefer a bmw tho..

crossdrilled · Posted: Wed Jul 23, 2008 12:49 pm Post subject:

I find the volvo is the best crossover.