New Audi Q5 Facelift unveiled

The Audi Q5 has been one of the bestselling SUVs in the premium mid-size segment on European markets for years. And now, Audi has made it even better and even more attractive. The optimized Q5 combines a sporty character with excellent everyday usability, and comes with a wide array of infotainment and assistance options. The sharpened exterior design of this highly successful model emphasizes the Q identity and boasts a rear light cluster featuring digital OLED technology for the first time worldwide.

The exterior design: Audi Q design language now even more distinctive

The strong Q identity characterizes the exterior of the Audi Q5 with its expression of power, robustness and safety. In executing the exterior update, Audi designers further emphasized this look and feel with a series of distinctive details. The octagonal Singleframe is now shallower and appears wider than before. The side air intakes have grown in height and are now structured by trapezoidal insets. The upper section of the LED headlamps features a new signature for the daytime running lights. Viewed from the side, the Q5 now has lighter look with greater ground clearance thanks to the redesigned sill insert. At the rear end is a new trim element between the light clusters and a new diffusor insert with a horizontal fin.

The interior design: a light touch and first-class quality

The horizontal emphasis of the interior design conveys a feeling of expanse and lightness. The sculptural, elegant sweep of the trim inlay separates the lower and upper sections of the dashboard, with the focal point formed by the new freestanding MMI touch display with acoustic feedback. The previous rotary/push control on the center-tunnel console is absent, its place now occupied by a storage cubby.

Q5 customers can also choose from three interior finishes: base, design selection and S line, which can be combined as desired with the exterior trim packages. The design selection interior comes with the contour/ambient light package, which incorporates an array of lighting effects that perfectly enhance Audi’s characteristic workmanship.

World first: digital OLED technology in the rear lights of the Audi Q5

Next-generation OLED lighting technology is available for the first time ever in the modified Q5. OLEDs are extremely efficient organic light-emitting diodes that generate a homogenous light surface. The optional OLED rear light is split into three tiles of six segments each, which enables Audi designers and developers to create different light designs and signatures from a single item of hardware.

Spacious and variable: dimensions and interior space

At 4.68 meters (184.3 in), the redesigned Audi Q5 is now 19 millimeters (0.75 in) longer – due primarily to its larger bumpers. Its width (excl. mirrors) of 1.89 meters (74.4 in) and height of 1.66 meters (65.4 in) remain unchanged. The long wheelbase of 2.82 meters (111.0 in) facilitates spacious interior proportions. Audi’s sliding rear bench plus with adjustable backrests is available as an option. When this is fitted, the luggage space measures 550 to 1,550 liters (19.4 to 54.7 cu ft). A variable folding floor mat comes as standard, with a power tailgate available as an option. Thanks to its intelligent material mix, the Q5 has one of the lightest bodyshells in the segment, while the cd figure of 0.30 is among the best-in-class. Refined aero-acoustics make for an exceptionally quiet interior.

Control, infotainment and Audi connect: first-class connectivity

Behind the new control setup in the updated Audi Q5 is a new main unit – the third-generation Modular Infotainment Platform (MIB 3), which offers ten times the computing power of its predecessor, the MIB 2.

Its basis is a conventional dashboard with a centrally positioned driver information system. The top of the range is the Audi virtual cockpit plus – a high-resolution 12.3-inch digital display with three different graphic layouts. The driver controls the displays via the multifunction steering wheel. A head-up display is also available as an option.

Functions on demand: book anytime post-purchase

An important new feature in the updated Audi Q5 is « functions on demand », which allows customers to book functions such as MMI navigation plus and the Audi smartphone interface anytime they wish post-purchase via the myAudi smartphone app or myAudi online portal. The functions are then activated over-the-air via a cell data bundle. There is a choice of three usage periods: one month, one year or open-ended.

Driveline: powerful performance, low emissions

The upgraded premium SUV comes to market in Europe as the Audi Q5 40 TDI. Its powerful two-liter four-cylinder diesel generates 150 kW (204 PS) and 400 Nm of torque (295 lb-ft). The aluminum crankcase weighs approx. 20 kilograms (44.1 lbs) less than that of the previous engine, while the crankshaft is around 2.5 kilograms (5.5 lbs) lighter.

The mild hybrid system (MHEV) contributes to the low fuel consumption. A belt-driven starter/generator (BSG) supplies the 12-volt vehicle electrical system, which incorporates a compact lithium-ion battery. The BSG recuperates braking energy and stores it in the battery. The MHEV system enables the Audi Q5 to coast with the engine off, and allows for start-stop mode at speeds below 22 km/h (13.7 mph). Overall, this results in a fuel-efficiency improvement of approx. 0.3 liters per 100 kilometers (62.1 mi). The Audi Q5 40 TDI accelerates from zero to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 7.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 222 km/h (137.9 mph).

The powerful diesel engine is not only efficient, but also clean – meeting the requirements of the latest Euro 6d-ISC-FCM emissions standard and EU 6 AP. Nitrogen oxide emissions are reduced significantly thanks to a new twin-dosing SCR system with dual AdBlue injection. The urea solution is added upstream of two SCR catalytic converters arranged in series. More engine versions will follow after the launch of the updated Q5: two further power variants of the four-cylinder TDI, a V6 TDI and two 2.0-liter four-cylinder TFSI engines. The successful Q5 TFSI e with plug-in hybrid drive will also be offered again in two output variants.

In the Audi Q5 40 TDI, a seven-speed S tronic sends the engine power to the quattro all-wheel drive with ultra technology, which also contributes to efficiency. In normal operation, it sends all the power to the front wheels. If all-wheel drive becomes necessary e.g. in slippery conditions or during dynamic driving, two clutches connect the rear wheels to the driveline in fractions of a second – in many situations, this happens predictively. In terms of traction and performance, the system leaves nothing to be desired.

Driver assistance systems: Vorsprung in safety and comfort

The updated Q5 also comes with a comprehensive set of assistance systems. The Audi pre sense city system comes as standard, and helps avoid collisions with road users in front of the vehicle or mitigate their consequences. The optional turn assist, collision avoidance assist and exit warning systems also contribute to overall safety. Adaptive cruise assist can largely relieve the driver of accelerating, braking and lane-keeping maneuvers for long periods, while predictive efficiency assist supports an anticipatory driving style and lowers fuel consumption.

Market launch: autumn 2020

The Audi Q5 is built at the San José Chiapa plant in Mexico and will come to international markets in fall 2020. The starting price in Germany for the Q5 40 TDI is 48,700 euros.