2017 Audi Q5 (2nd Generation)

I'm seriously enjoying the car. Very little not to like. The tech is next level, and the ride quality is exceptional. (And performance is not too bad either.)
 
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Five stars for the new queen on the block - Audi Q5

It was one of those perfect circular moments; test driving the new second-generation Audi Q5 a few weeks ago, en route to the uber-luxurious Grootbos Private Nature Reserve in Walker Bay.

The Q5 will always have a special place in my fuel-injected heart. Back in 2009, with plenty of cheek and very little driving ability, I managed to secure a seven-day test drive in the first-generation SUV for a magazine where I had just crowned myself motoring editor. I had been watching Top Gear for years and had read enough bland car reviews to believe that what I didn’t know about torque and RPM, I could get by on with my imaginative writing skills.

A late starter to the art of driving, it was in fact the first automatic car I had driven, hence I had to constantly remind myself to keep my left foot away from the pedals.

Roll on the new Audi Q5 eight years later. The Q5 has always been the queen of the impressive Audi range – since its release in 2008 it’s sold 1.8 million units worldwide. Almost a decade later, the time for a new regime is long overdue.

Looks-wise, the Q5 has definitely lost a few kilos – 90kgs, in fact. Sleeker in design than her predecessor, she’s put on some muscle in all the right places. Her new-found tautness has not meant a decrease in dimension – according to Audi, she’s larger, plus there’s a whopping 1 550 litres of boot space when the rear seats are down. What she definitely is, is gorgeous: front, sides and back, with new LED lights creating a crown jewel effect.

Inside, it has high-end finishes and plenty of room for both driver and passengers. Where the Q5 especially shines is by way of the inside tech with the new optional virtual cockpit, displaying brilliant graphics by way of its high-res 12.3-inch screen. The MMI terminal, housing the infotainment system, is top class, but it’s the Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system that takes auditory experience to another level.

I got to drive all three derivatives: the impressively frugal and powerful 2.0 TDI, which delivers 140kW of power and 400Nm of torque. Next up, with a dashing 0-100km/h in 6.3 seconds, is the 2.0 TFSI, with 185kW of power and 370Nm torque (for GTI fans, this babe has similar figures). The tiara on top is the SQ5, powered by a turbocharged 3.0 V6 engine, with delicious power of 260kW and 500Nm of torque, streaking from *0-100km/h in just 5.4 seconds. All derivatives come standard with Audi’s respected seven-speed, double-clutch S tronic transmission. Three guesses which my favourite speed queen was.

With permanent Quattro Ultra, power shifts via an eight-speed automatic gearbox in the lightening-fast SQ5. This system is Audi-speak for “on demand” four-wheel drive. For the layman, that means that when extra grip is needed, the SQ5 instinctively shifts to accommodate and sends the drive into the rear wheels. On gravel, on bends and on muddy rural roads, all three derivatives adapt like true royalty does to the masses.

Audi’s chosen launch venue was Grootbos, one of the Cape’s top luxury eco destinations. Swathed in spectacular fynbos, Grootbos is tucked away on the southern tip of the continent between mountains, ancient forests and the ocean of Gansbaai. From the sundeck of our private chalets, each replete with a fireplace and a massive sunken bathtub, spectacular views opened onto the fynbos and the pristine ocean teeming with aquatic life – from penguins to dolphins and seals. In early spring, southern right whales are frequently spotted.

All too soon we had to head back to Cape Town. En route, I silently grinned to myself when I noticed how, this time around, my right foot was instinctively in charge.

Ferguson was a guest at Grootbos. For more information, visit grootbos.com
Pricing

Q5 2.0 TDI quattro S tronic - R698 000

Q5 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic - R747 500

SQ5 3.0 TFSI quattro tiptronic - R1 044 000

http://www.wheels24.co.za/newmodels...een-on-the-block-audi-q5-20170820?mobile=true
 
FiestaST said:
Five stars for the new queen on the block - Audi Q5

All derivatives come standard with Audi’s respected seven-speed, double-clutch S tronic transmission. Three guesses which my favourite speed queen was.

With permanent Quattro Ultra, power shifts via an eight-speed automatic gearbox in the lightening-fast SQ5. This system is Audi-speak for “on demand” four-wheel drive. For the layman, that means that when extra grip is needed, the SQ5 instinctively shifts to accommodate and sends the drive into the rear wheels.

http://www.wheels24.co.za/newmodels...een-on-the-block-audi-q5-20170820?mobile=true
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Ish. I hope the reviewer's driving ability is better than his/her ability to re-produce information.

The SQ5 does not come with an 7-speed S-tronic, gearbox, but with an 8 speed auto box.

And the SQ5 has permanent all wheel drive, not the new ultra quattro system. Only the 2.0l derivatives come with the ultra system.

I do however agree that it is an awesome vehicle. Coming from an Audi S8, I was worried that I'll be disappointed with the size and ride comfort. I realised that the performance would not be comparable. But I had no reason to worry. I am ecstatic about the SQ5. It drives great; the tech is fantastic, and as a daily driver, I enjoy it more than the S8 (probably due to the higher seating position and all the new tech. Performance wise, it has more than enough power and it is only when drag racing that the ridiculous power of the S8 is missed.)
 
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949BFN said:
Ish. I hope the reviewer's driving ability is better than his/her ability to re-produce information.

The SQ5 does not come with an 7-speed S-tronic, gearbox, but with an 8 speed auto box.

And the SQ5 has permanent all wheel drive, not the new ultra quattro system. Only the 2.0l derivatives come with the ultra system.

I do however agree that it is an awesome vehicle. Coming from an Audi S8, I was worried that I'll be disappointed with the size and ride comfort. I realised that the performance would not be comparable. But I had no reason to worry. I am ecstatic about the SQ5. It drives great; the tech is fantastic, and as a daily driver, I enjoy it more than the S8 (probably due to the higher seating position and all the new tech. Performance wise, it has more than enough power and it is only when drag racing that the ridiculous power of the S8 is missed.)
Click to expand...

Huh? It says 8-speed and permanent all wheel drive right there in the second paragraph.

I do agree though that they are confusing terms and naming conventions. One moment it’s permanent and next moment it’s dynamic, so it’s not very well written either way.

But now the question is wouldn’t a shifting Quattro system be better than a permanent set in stone one anyway? So wouldn’t that make the system on the lower end models better than the one on the SQ5?

Or do they simply mean by permanent that all four wheels are pushing power at all times but it can still shift? Where the 2.0 is only FWD until required otherwise ?
 
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It is confusing and statements like "With permanent Quattro Ultra, power shifts via an eight-speed automatic gearbox in the lightening-fast SQ5." make it more confusing.

There is no such thing as "permanent Quattro Ultra". There is "permanent Quattro" and "Quattro Ultra". The former is the older system, which is a permanent four-wheel-drive system as one would up to now have found on all Audis bearing the "quattro" badge and which is still used in the SQ5.

"Quatro Ultra" is the new "on demand" 4-wheel drive system used in the 2.0l (petrol and diesel) Q5. Under normal conditions, it is a front wheel drive system, switching to 4-wheel drive when required. http://www.audi.com/en/innovation/quattro/quattro_ultra.html
 
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