A Look at the Upcoming Audi SQ5 TDI
Le Mans is known the world over for its 24 hour marathon race and the Audi SQ5 TDI made its mark here. This bi-turbo diesel engine ‘S’ model is sure to be in high demand as a result. Featuring a 3.0-litre bi-turbo TDI engine, the car tops out at 155mpg and goes from 0-62mph in only 5.1 seconds. Fuel economy does not suffer though as it still gets 39.2mpg using the combined cycle. When this model goes on sale in October, expect it to be a huge hit although deliveries won’t start until spring of next year.
The power of this car is sure to impress. The engine produces 314bhp and 650lb ft of torque. This engine is the same as that found in the A6 3.0-litre TDI and is comparable to that found in the tri-turbo BMW X3 xDrive35d. Standard on this car is an eight-speed automatic gearbox. This transmission offers reduced weight along with fast gear changes. Choose either the sport or drive programme and you will find that you have fewer upshifts when cornering.
The car will also feature quattro all-wheel drive, making it perfect for driving in any conditions. You get phenomenal grip and superior handling at all times. Never worry about traction and stability again. To make this car even better, a sound actuator has been installed in the SQ5 TDI’s exhaust system. Your car will sound in many ways like a V8 with the enriched exhaust note.
Fuel economy is achieved through the use of a regulated oil pump, innovative thermal management and the start-stop system in the engine. In the past, when you got stuck in traffic, you may have sat there and watched the fuel gauge on your car drop. This was due to the engine idling as you waited to move. Thanks to the start-stop technology built in the Audi SQ5 TDI, this will no longer be the case. When you are idling for any reason and your car is not in gear, the engine will switch off. To cut it back on, all you have to do is depress the clutch. Before you can choose the appropriate gear, your engine will be up and running again.
Two turbochargers have been incorporated into this car. They are connected using a flap in a series. To improve performance, design improvements have been made in many areas including the intake cam shifts timing and lift, piston pins and cylinder head cooling. Thanks to the common rail system, 2,000 bar of pressure may be developed and eight shots of fuel may be injected into the cylinders during each cycle. The combined high pressure and fuel injection method ensures the mixture is better prepared and the combustion efficiency improved. As a result, you use less fuel, your car produces fewer emissions and yet you get amazing power.
2013 Audi SQ5
Sport suspension has lowered the body by 30 millimeters and the car comes complete with 255/45 tyres on 20″ wheels. The wheels have a five parallel spoke design for added style. You may opt to upgrade to 21″ wheels if this better meets your needs.
Other exterior highlights include a roof spoiler, a single frame grille features galvanized double bars and modified bumpers. Ultra-high-strength steels have been used in the body to make it rigid, safe and light. The area around the windows is set off with exterior mirrors that mimic aluminum. Choose from paint finishes such as Panther Black or Estoril Blue.
Under the bonnet, you will find the electromechanical power steering system. This system ensures your steering is both highly efficient and sensitive at all times. You may also choose to purchase the Audi drive select system and expand it to include the dynamic steering system. When you do so, you will get the steplessly variable steering ratio.
The interior is not lacking in this car either. As with other ‘S’ models, the interior’s main color is black. You do now have the option of lunar silver headlining though. Leather-upholstered power-adjustable seats are the norm as are brushed aluminum inlays. Piano finish and Carbon Atlas are other inlay options you may choose. Door sill trims feature the S badges and the grey instrument dials sport the 3D ‘S’ badge. The steering wheel is specially shaped while the shift paddles and pedals are given an aluminum-look finish.
Upgrades include infotainment and assistance systems. You may also choose to purchase connect services and have access to the Internet in your car. The connect system provides for both high-speed Internet access and an integrated wireless hot spot. You can keep in touch with what’s going on in the world around you at all times. Listen to the news, check traffic conditions or find out what is going on with the weather. Never get lost again with the help of this system. Audi connect is voice controlled. You’ll feel like you are at home each time you climb behind the wheel and have features that may not be available at your home or office!
Boot space has not been compromised to make room for these other features. Expand your cargo area to hold as much as 1,560 litres. Towing is also possible with this car. The rated towing capacity is 2.4 metric tons.
This Audi is expected to be a hot item once it is released. This is not surprising. Audi has gone out of its way to make a high performance vehicle that anyone can use. You are sure to be impressed with what you see. The other drivers at Le Mans were.