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Queue starts this week for latest Audi
publication date: Nov 23, 2008
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author/source: David Miles
 | | | Audi is not participating in the recession.
The message from Audi UK at the media launch of their new Q5 premium, medium sized all wheel drive SUV, was that although business is tough the company will achieve in 2008 its 17thsuccessive record year of UK sales with 101,000 registrations, 5% of the UK's new car market.
The message from Jeremy Hicks, Director of Audi UK is, "The stronger the brand the better it does when times are hard. We achieved record sales of 16,355 vehicles in the new registration plate month of September and we are living on the back of the facts that we have a strong order bank of existing models and that we are introducing new ranges such as the Q5."
He added, "We are prepared for a difficult year in 2009 and have planned accordingly. We need to be fleet-of-foot to adapt to market conditions and not to over supply models in the segments worst hit by the recession. Audi will come out of the recession stronger than when it went in. We are on a journey from our current 29 model ranges to 40 in the not too distant future."
Audi confirmed 10 new or revised models will arrive in the UK next year and three of those will be making their debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
Jon Zammett, Head of PR for Audi UK said, "There is no better medicine for a recession than introducing more new models. We cannot stop new models arriving, they are planned, and they are coming. Audi is a very ‘now' brand and the pace of our new model and technology introductions is breathtaking."
He said Audi expects to sell 600 Q5 models in the UK this year and between six and seven thousand in 2009. Prices range from £27,650 to £37,540.
The Q5 is available with the choice of three engine options, 2.0-litre TFSI direct injection petrol, 2.0-litre TDI turbodiesel and a 3.0-litre TDI unit. Audi's 7-speed S-tronic dual clutch automatic transmission is standard for the 2.0-litre petrol and 3.0-litre diesel models and optional for 2.0-litre TDI models which have a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard.
The 2.0-litre models are available with Standard, SE and S-Line specification levels and the 3.0-litre TDI with SE and S-Line. Audi UK currently anticipates, 77% of customers will buy the 2.0-litre TDI engine, 13% will want the 3.0-litre TDI and 10% the 2.0-litre TFSI petrol unit.
But with the price of petrol considerably lower than diesel, and private motorists now covering less miles, demand for the petrol Q5 model could increase. As for specification levels Audi expects 50% of customers to opt for the middle SE specification, 40% for the top S-Line and 10% for the Standard level.
Audi expect some customers for the Q5, five-door, mid-sized SUV, which uses the same platform as their current A4/A5 models, to downsize from their large Q7 SUV and some customers will move up from A4 Avant, but most will be conquest sales.
Audi see the major competitors as the BMW X3, Land Rover Freelander and new Volvo XC60, although the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, VW Tiguan, Nissan X-Trail and Mitsubishi Outlander all compete for sales in the medium size sector of the 4x4/SUV market.
Sales of all types of 4x4s/SUVs fell by 16% to 118,465 units in the first nine months of this year but medium sized models within that segment reduced by just 1.2% to 84,768 registrations. | | | | FIRST IMPRESSIONS | | | The Q5 looks like a scaled down version of Audi's large Q7 seven seat SUV. The newcomer is 4,629mm in length, marginally longer than its major competitors, the BMW X3, Land Rover Freelander and the new Volvo XC60.
The width is 1,880mm, the height 1,650mm, both the smallest out of its main competitors. Load space with the rear seats in position is 540-litres, second in capacity only to the Freelander.
With the rear seats folded the capacity is increased to 1,560-litres, the same as the X3, less than the Freelander but more than the XC60. When it comes to towing the Audi Q5 has a maximum braked towing weight of 2,400kg, more than its major competition.
The design brief was for a vehicle with a blend for everyday suitability with multifunctional seating, variable load carrying abilities, innovative entertainment and driver assist systems.
It had to be distinctive, robust yet sporty, have a Coupe roof line and then to incorporate the latest technologies to maintain traditional Audi driving dynamics. In addition to their renowned quattro all-wheel drive system the Q5 has Audi Drive Select damping controls, intelligent ESP (Electronic Control Stability) and the potential to cope with the off road.
All this comes in a fuel and CO2 saving, performance enhancing, lightweight bodyshell. There is also a new five-link front suspension and the axle load weight distribution is optimised to maintain the characteristic Audi driving sportiness.
With Standard, SE and S-Line levels of specification, depending on the choice of engine, the Q5 is really a clever and customer focussed line-up. With prices up to £37,540 there is a model to meet the demands of most buyers in the ‘premium' SUV sector band a wide range of options for customers to choose the technical and luxury ones they want. All versions have the high quality, stylish, well built, upmarket fit and finish we expect from Audi including quattro permanent variable drive split to all wheels.
Standard specification models have 17-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, leather four-spoke steering wheel, electric front and rear windows, air conditioning, driver information system, six speaker sound system and metallic interior trim inlays.
SE variants have 18-inch alloys, leather upholstery, multi-function steering wheel, upgraded sound system, lights and wiper sensors, and rear acoustic parking system. S-Line has 19-inch alloy wheels, Xenon headlights, sports seats and paddle shift levers for the S-tronic transmission.
In addition there are extra cost options ranging from an off-road pack with added bodywork protection, to electronically operated tailgate, climate control front seats to warm or cool, climate cup holder to panoramic sunroof. A fully kitted top of the range Q5 3.0-litre TDI could cost its owner £53,000.
The same clear choice for customers applies to the range of three engines. They cover all needs and it is difficult to see how this very balanced power line-up could be improved.
The new 2.0-litre TFSI, direct injection, turbocharger with intercooler petrol, four-cylinder engine, produces 211PS but more importantly 350Nm of torque from just 1,500rpm which gives it the low down grunt of a modern diesel engine.
Top speed is 137mph, 0-62mph takes 7.2 seconds, official combined fuel economy is 33.2mpg and 27mpg was recorded during my test drive over the tough mountain routes in Spain this week. CO2 emissions are 197g/km giving it a road tax band F rating of £210.
For those family users wanting a Q5 and only covering around 6,000 or so miles a year this could well be the best choice given the lower price of petrol and the brisk performance. A very impressive engine.
The expected main selling engine is the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, TDI common-rail direct injection turbodiesel unit with 170PS of power and 350Nm of torque from 1,750rpm. Smooth, quiet and responsive this engine provides for a top speed of 126mph, 0-62mph takes 9.5 seconds.
The combined cycle fuel economy is officially 42.1mph, 32mph actual on test in Spain, with CO2 emissions of 175g/km meaning a road tax Band E rating which costs £170 a year. Business and company car users will go for this unit because of the fuel economy.
The 3.0-litre, V6, TDI common-rail turbodiesel engine offers 240PS and a massive 500Nm of torque from 1,500rpm. For the driver in a hurry, or those who want a really strong and very powerful engine, it is perfectly matched with the 7-speed S-tronic twin clutch automatic transmission.
Top speed is 139mph, 0-62mph takes 6.5 seconds, and fuel economy is 37.6mpg, 31mpg in real life conditions. CO2 emissions are 199g/km with a tax band F rating which costs £210 and a proposed £260 from next April. This unit allows the Q5 to overtake slower moving traffic very easily and to cover long distances in a very relaxed manner.
All three units are really impressive in their own way and it is impossible to say which the best is. There isn't one to be avoided and buyers most do their own sums regarding the purchase price and running costs best suited to their pocket.
The Audi Q5 has been long awaited by potential owners and now it's here it doesn't disappoint in any way. It is not quite as sharp in the handling department as the BMW X3 but it is more refined and much more comfortable. Off-road it copes perfectly well with what most people will use it for, tracks and fields, but it is not in the class of a Freelander and it is not aimed at those off-roading users. Overall it's the best for performance and importantly image. | | | | MILESTONES | Audi Q5 2.0 TDI quattro SE £29,950 | | | Engine/transmission: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, TDI turbocharger with intercooler common-rail diesel, 170PS, 350Nm from 1,750rpm, 6-speed manual, quattro all wheel drive. Performance: 126mph, 0-62mph 9.5 seconds, 42.1mpg, (32mpg actual), CO2 175g/km, VED Band E £170, BIK tax 25%.
Length: 4,629mm, width 1,880mm, 1,653mm. Load capacity: 540-1,560-litres. Braked towing limit: 2,400kg. Insurance group: tbc.
For:
Right image, right engines, right specification, stylish, well built.
Against:
Wind noise from the door mirrors, dull steering feel at some speeds.
©DAVID MILES | | |  |
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