Audi SQ5 TDI arrives at Le Mans

The Audi SQ5 TDI – a 309bhp diesel Q5 – is revealed at Le Mans as the first Audi S model with a diesel engine.

It’s quite appropriate that the first diesel S Model from Audi has arrived at Le Mans in the shape of the Audi SQ5 TDI, where Audi are expected to dominate in diesel-engined cars.

It also shows that Audi are aware that powerful diesel compact SUVs are a must have in today’s car market, and they’ve got in first with a proper barn-storming diesel Q5 before a Range Rover Evoque Sport with perhaps the 3.0 litre V6 diesel or a BMW X3 M40d arrives.

The SQ5 gets a healthy 309bhp from its 3.0 litre twin-turbo V6 and 479lb/ft of torque to make it a very feisty Q5 indeed. The power goes to all four wheels through permanent quattro 4WD via an eight-speed tiptronic box delivering 0-62mph in a scant 5.1 seconds and the de rigeur 155mph top speed. And it gets official economy of 39.2mpg too.

The engine note of the 3.0 litre diesel gets a tweak with a sound actuator exhaust system, the sports suspension is lower by 30mm compared to more prosaic Q5s and it comes with a set of 20″ alloys (21″ are an option – book the chiropractor first).

In the looks department the SQ5 TDI gets a titivated grill with a single grey frame, new bumpers, black brake calipers complete with ‘S’ badges, aluminium-look trim on the door mirrors and a roof spoiler. Paintwork will come in either crystal effect blue (as in the photos of the SQ5 TDI below) or black.

Inside the SQ5 gets typically black Audi ‘S’  trim with leather as standard, sports seats, grey instrument dials, a specially shaped steering wheel, S badges dotted around and pedals and paddles in aluminium-look finish.

Audi say the SQ5 TDI will go on sale in October 2012 and that we can expect the price to be in the region of £45k.

By Cars UK