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New Audi Q5 to Target BMWs X3 and Acuras New RD-X

Late to the Party but Expected to Raise the Luxury and Refinement Bar

Following in the footsteps of Audis midsize Q7 crossover-SUV, the German luxury brand will soon introduce a smaller variation to be built on Audis next-generation compact A4 architecture, dubbed Q5.

"The Audi Q5 will be an overtly sporty vehicle that will add an important product to the Audi model range, commented Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. "The Audi Q5 will take us a big step closer to vehicle sales of 1.4 million per year, a target that we have set ourselves for 2015."

Although extremely late to the SUV party, Audi has long been

Is this artists rendering what the new Q5 will look like? (Photo: Artists Rendering)

revered for its quattro all-wheel drive technology, and through rally racing and other types of motorsport, competence off-road.

The Q5, however, is not expected to deliver off-road capability to the same level of some others in this size and weight class, but rather follow the new trend of car-like on-pavement characteristics mixed with a taller ride height for light-duty off-road prowess.

No doubt, if the Q5 looks as good as this rendering, BMWs cute ute is in for a heated contest. (Photo: Artists Rendering)

This market segment has been forged by Land Rover and its Freelander, BMW and its X3, and more recently Acuras soon to be released RD-X. Volvo has also announced plans to produce a smaller SUV, named XC50, while Lexus and Mercedes-Benz (an MLK?), among others will most likely respond with compact crossover-SUVs of their own. Especially noteworthy, Volkswagen will enter the market with a new compact SUV shortly too, dubbed Beduin. It is likely that the VW

Audis going big with the new Q7, appropriately capable of hauling seven occupants. (Photo: Audi of America)

and Audi models will share chassis components and other parts, but unknown if a future compact Porsche CUV, to slot under the Cayenne, will get in on the action. Now that Porsche owns about 18 percent of VW, however, it carries a lot of clout if it chooses to push the issue.

While very little information about the Q5 is available, Audi will most likely not reinvent the wheel, so to speak, in order to bring it to market, meaning that the brands various FSI-equipped four- and six-cylinder engines, as currently available in the A4, plus a bevy

In Germany, Audis Q7 ads feature footage of its rally-dominating quattros in action. (Photo: Audi of America)?

of high-efficiency diesel models will be offered - most likely the 2.0 TDI and 3.0-liter V6 TDI. Likely engines, incidentally to be mounted longitudinally, not transversely, are Audis direct-injection 2.0-liter four and a 3.2-liter V6, while it is possible the 4.2-liter V8 could power an S-line version. A six-speed manual and seven-speed DSG lineup could round out the powertrain package options, other than its final drive system.

On this note, the Q5 should arrive with an updated version of Audis acclaimed quattro all-wheel drive with a 40/60 percent front/rear torque bias, ideal for the CUVs light-duty purpose. Most

The stylish compact crossover-SUV will sport a number of drivetrain options plus a Torsen all-wheel drive system. (Photo: Artists Rendering)

sport utility owners only use their vehicles for normal, everyday activities, which may include traversing snow or ice, gravel or dirt, depending on where they live. The Q5 should also come equipped with hill-descent control and an adjustable air suspension, not to mention top-tier anti-skid/yaw control and traction control systems, allowing for greater stability in slippery conditions. The knowledge SUV owners have in believing they can "go anywhere" when needed plays a critical part the decision to purchase the vehicle type, mind you, so the allusion of a rough and tough lifestyle is necessary to convey such off-road capability - and the vehicles "cool factor".
This in mind, the Q5

The Q7 S-Line gives a good indication of what we might expect a Q7 S-Line to look like. (Photo: Audi of America)?

should have substantial "cool factor", thanks first to Audis bold new styling direction, which in the new CUVs case should include a tall grille with vertical strakes, narrow, slit-like head- and tail-lamps, and sufficient chrome trim. The vehicles interior should also raise the level of luxury and refinement in the compact crossover class a degree or two - something BMWs X3 and Land Rovers Freelander have been criticized for.

Due to its compact nature and Q5 designation, no third row will be featured, leaving CUV buyers needing extra seats looking to the larger, more expensive Q7. The rear seats are flexible, mind you, with fore and aft sliding capability, and the requisite split and tumble forward feature to increase cargo space.

To Be Built in Ingolstadt

The Q5 should be capable of light off-roading, like its larger Q7 sibling. (Photo: Audi of America)?

Audi has plans of building 70,000 Q5s per year, and will do so at its Ingolstadt plant in Germany. Production starts in 2008, the result of a 300 million euro investment.

"The decision [to build the Q5 in Germany] demonstrates what potential there is for industrial production in Germany," commented Winterkorn. "We are delighted that the Audi Q5 will be built in Ingolstadt, now that we have reached an agreement with the Works Council enabling us to build it at a competitive cost."

The local community will be buoyed by the decision, previously a concern being that the TT is built in Hungary and the Q7 in Slovakia. Now, however, a total of some 1,700 German workers will be needed for Q5 production.

"This decision will also benefit employment at Neckarsulm, because both plants will be very closely interlinked," added Winterkorn.
Both the Q7 and upcoming Q5 are more or less inspired by the Pikes Peak concept that debuted at the 2003 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press) />Looking to stabilize long-term growth in Ingolstadt, Peter Mosch, Chairman of the General Works Council of AUDI AG stated, "After some lengthy rounds of tough negotiations, we are delighted with the outcome: Ingolstadt gets production of the Audi Q5! The overriding concern of our works councils is to safeguard jobs at Audis German locations in the long term. The decision to build the Audi Q5 at Ingolstadt and also the recent decision to build the R8 at Neckarsulm represent initial steps towards achieving this goal. We on the Works Council will continue to push for utilizing existing production capacity to the full, through new models."

Similar enthusiasm was expressed by labor leaders: "This decision proves that it is truly possible to build high-quality, marketable cars in Ingolstadt and therefore in Germany, for all the complaints we have been hearing about excessive labor costs," commented Berthold Huber, Vice-Chairman of the IG Metall trade union

When the Q5 becomes available next year, the BMW X3 will finally have some real competition. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)?

and Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board. "The dedication, experience and ability of a workforce are invaluable assets."

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