All posts tagged audi q5
Audi Q5 cabriolet?
We’re taking this with a grain of salt to say the least, and totally agree with WorldCarFans when they say that crossover cabriolets don’t make a lot of sense: according to reports from AutoExpress Audi is planning a Q5 cabriolet for next year. That’s a very bulky model to be cruising around with its top down, and frankly we hope this isn’t true (we find the BMW X6 almost ridiculous and it still has its lid).
In any case, the Audi Q5 Cabriolet would be a production version of the Cross Cabriolet Concept which would have two doors and a fabric soft-top. A bespoke interior is apparently being planned to help justify the pricey model - expected to be more than 45,000 euros if it goes on sale.
The rumours follow a week after Autoblog.nl also published about the possibility of a Q5 Cabriolet. Extending the bespoke interior idea, they said that the model could reach just 5,000 units, aimed at more of a collector’s vehicle, and could even outsource production to someone like Karmann.
The news is a bit disconcerting really, if we consider that the big German automakers often follow suit, exchaning model-for-model blows. Does that mean we could see a future BMW X3 cabriolet or a Mercedes GLK open-top? Maybe Volkswagen will lop the top off its Tiguan while we’re all at it….
Audi Quattro sales in 2010: best for 4WD?
In releasing its 2010 sales results, Audi has decided to focus on an interesting figure: revealing that of all vehicles produced, a total of 437,792 were fitted with all-wheel drive. That gives Audi Quattro models 38 percent of total Audi sales, and clearly the company is happy to indicate that its world-famous 4WD technology gives it an edge over other premium models.
Still, the most models sold with Quattro tech are the Audi Q5 SUVs which makes sense in terms of the type of vehicle. No figures were released as to the other models sold with Quattro so we’re not suprised to find that an SUV takes the title - we’d be more interested to know how many coupé or sedans Audi sells with all-wheel drive tech. Equally unsuprising is the fact that Germany is the number one market for 4WD Audi’s.
Still, the famous Quattro technology is a strong selling point for Audi such that it will expand to other models in the future including the Audi A1, A6, Q3 and the new A3. The latter could prove to be a very interesting model for Audi in terms of commercial significance and we’ll be keeping an eye on how it sells.
Porsche Cajun to be three-door SUV-coupe?
The Porsche Cajun is making it to production while that’s no surprise to anyone, it might be more interesting to discover that it won’t be just a smaller version of the Porsche Cayenne. According to AutoBild, the Cajun will take on a SUV-coupe design and will be a three-door model.
The name isn’t official yet, and it looks like we could still see a different design developed for what’s known as the Baby Cayenne model. A la Range Rover Evoque, perhaps..? In any case, the Cajun will be sporty and should more closely embody Porsche tradition on a SUV model. It will have a short wheelbase and the new kit will be such to disguise its close relationship with the Audi Q5.
Cajun production is set to start at the end of this year, but the German magazine suggests we won’t see a Cajun market launch until 2013. They claim that it was set to be a conventional SUV model with a five-door body, but then it was decided to do something different from the Cayenne and the Q5 and give the Cajun a sportier soul. A five-door Cajun at a later date hasn’t been excluded, though.
Audi Q5 hybrid pics and videos before LA debut
The Audi Q5 hybrid will get its official release at the upcoming Los Angeles show and here are some pics and videos (after the jump) of the new hybrid SUV. According to Autoblog.nl, the Q5 hybrid is equipped with a 2.0 TFSI engine with 200 hp, with another 45 hp produced by the electric motor. Torque is said to be at about 480 Nm and top speed 222 km/hr. Acceleration to 100 km/hr takes place in 7.1 seconds and CO2 emissions are about 170 g/km
The Q5 Hybrid can run on pure electric power up to a speed of 100 km/hr but for a distance of only three kilometres (average speed of 60 km/hr meaning you won’t get very far if you are actually doing the 100 mentioned). Both the electronic motor and lithium ion batteries are placed in the rear, meaning the Q5 Hybrid has a smaller boot capacity, down from 540 to 480 litres.
The hybrid function is controlled by an MMI system which gets a new display unit in the Q5 cabin. Not much else changes in terms of style, either. The Audi Q5 Hybrid will appear on the market some time in 2011 and will be followed by the Audi A8 Hybrid. The latter was presented as a concept car at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show and so we expect the production version to turn up soon. The Audi Q7 will not be available as a hybrid model.
Continue reading: Audi Q5 hybrid pics and videos before LA debut
New Audi A8 commercial: A8 hybrid on show at Geneva
The new Audi A8 hybrid version will be on display at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, but in the meantime here is the A8 commercial. The standard Audi A8 is available on the market with a 4.2-litre V8 TFSI Quattro with 372 hp and a 4.2-litre V8 TDI with 350 hp. The Audi A8 hybrid appears at the Geneva show with the new Audi Q5 hybrid at a standa which will also feature the Audi A1 premium compact car.
Audi A8 hybrid at 2010 Geneva Motor Show
Following the Audi Q5 hybrid will be the new Audi A8 hybrid, to be presented at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show in March. The announcement of the new A8 hybrid was made at the Detroit auto show by Audi America president Johan de Nysschen, and is part of Audi’s ambitious target of selling one million models in the year 2010.
The same man famous for describing the Chevrolet Volt as a stupid car, has confirmed that Audi intends on saying no to those technologies which don’t represent real progress, and will therefore only focus on “full hybrid” cars, and not “mild hybrids” as in the case of the Mercedes S-Class or BMW 7-Series, for example. It seems the US is fast catching on to Europe’s focus on the environment, and it’s interesting to see the Q5 as the first Audi hybrid choice.
Audi Q5 hybrid to enter production
The Audi Q5 hybrid has been confirmed and will be presented most likely at the 2010 Paris motor show, with production starting for a market appearance at the beginning of 2011. The Q5 will be the first Audi hybrid model to be produced, and will be one of the significant models presented in 2010, along with the new Audi A1 and Audi A7.
No technical details of the Q5 hybrid have been released, although it should include the 3.2-litre V6 petrol engine combined with lithium ion batteries. The new hybrid model will contribute to the 42 model line-up planned for 2015, increased from Audi’s current line up of 34 models. 7.3 billion euros are being invested in the development of new models to achieve this aim.
Take off the chains: AWDs are the best cars for the snow
Drive magazine has taken a look at some of the best vehicles for the snow, but which have enough city and off-road features to keep people happy, and looking good in both urban and and off-road settings.
Some of the usual “lifestyle” vehicles and faux off-road models such as the Audi Q5, Renault Koleos, Land Rover Freelander or Volvo XC60 may suit for snow and ice driving condictions. Audi and Volvo often come across with some of the best AWD options, having sedans, hatchbacks, wagons and offroads throughout the range which can give you all the four wheel effect you want.
But which are the cars that really stand out? There are a few surprises in the list, which includes: the Mazda3 (for its stability control), the Nissan Dualis, Volkswagen Tiguan and the Subaru Liberty/Outback. In fact, given Subaru has all wheel drive across its range, any old one will do. The Audi A6 allroad wagon gets itself on the list, as does the Volvo XC60 and the Lexus RX350.
For full details, see Drive.com.au.
Audi Q5 Custom Concept vidoes
After the Audi Q5 Custom Concept pics, here’s the Q5 concept video, to take a closer look at the SUV with its V6 three-litre engine. A power-step version at 408 hp and 500 Nm was presented at teh Worthersee Tour 2009., after work on the aspiration system which now guarantees greater air being brought to the compressor. The exhuast also got an overhaul, which makes itself heard in the video after the jump.
Audi Q5 Custom Concept pics
Audi has released new official pics of the Q5 Custom Concept prior to the prototype’s presentation at the Worthersee Tour 2009 next weekend. The prototype is not so interesting for its look, but for the engine that they’ve put under the bonnet.
Currently absent from the Q5 range, the V6 3.0 litre TFSI is that of the Audi S4, brought from 333 to 408 hp for the occasion. This power will be managed by the S-Tronic seven-speed transmission, and the whole proposal has fans a-flutter.
The model proves that the possibility of an “S” version in the Audi SUV range is not so fantastical. This could also be a preview to the next RS4, currently oscillating between a V6 and V8. And given the closer relationships among the VAG cars, we could even see this engine on Volkswagen or Porsche models.
Audi Q5 commercials: Audi SUV design
The message that we imagine Audi is getting across in these Audi Q5 commercials is that in a world of SUVs that are all the same, and all grey (and all possibly Lexus models), a compact and elegant SUV like the Q5 is the solution for anyone who wants to stand out from the crowd.
The small Audi SUV is certainly a lovely car, and it’s already enjoying some sales success. But Audi probably isn’t at the cutting edge of originality in design in the SUV market. Whatever the case, we like the car but the commercials, particularly the second one, are slightly hit and miss.
Audi Q5 hybrid for 2010
The Audi Q5 hybrid project has been dancing around a bit, in a one step forward and two steps back kind of rhythm, but Auto Week reports that the Q5 hybrid should debut in February 2010. This is after reports that Audi had cancelled its hybrid plans, or at least postponed them indefinitely.
There are still mixed messages coming from Audi, though, with its powertrain development manager, Wolfgang Hatz, saying that with the advantages, especially in cost, of diesel, any petrol/electric technology will have to be more efficient and convenient in order to compete with diesel.
There’s not much to be gleaned from Hatz’s statements, if only that Audi needs to include hybrid options in its range - a necessary path to follow for manufacturers to compete. The Q5 should provide a better option than the Q7 for hybrid technology in the European market.
Source | World Car Fans
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