Following in the footsteps of Audi’s midsize Q7 crossover-SUV, the German luxury brand will soon introduce a smaller variation to be built on Audi’s 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 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. This market segment has been forged by Land Rover and its Freelander, BMW and its X3, and more recently Acura’s 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 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 brand’s various FSI-equipped four- and six-cylinder engines, as currently available in the A4, plus a bevy of high-efficiency diesel models will be offered - most likely the 2.0 TDI and 3.0-litre V6 TDI. Likely engines, incidentally to be mounted longitudinally, not transversely, are Audi’s direct-injection 2.0-litre four and a 3.2-litre V6, while it is possible the 4.2-litre 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 Audi’s acclaimed quattro all-wheel drive with a 40/60 percent front/rear torque bias, ideal for the CUV’s light-duty purpose. Most 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 vehicle’s “cool factor”.
This in mind, the Q5 should have substantial “cool factor”, thanks first to Audi’s bold new styling direction, which in the new CUV’s case should include a tall grille with vertical strakes, narrow,slit-like head- and tail-lamps, and sufficient chrome trim. The vehicle’s interior should also raise the level of luxury and refinement in the compact crossover class a degree or two - something BMW’s X3 and Land Rover’s 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
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.
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 Audi’s 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 labour 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 labour costs,” commented Berthold Huber, Vice-Chairman of the IG Metall trade union and Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board. “The dedication, experience and ability of a workforce are invaluable assets.”
Of course, government officials had there say as well: “The fact that such an important model for Audi is going to be built in Ingolstadt will provide a boost to Bavarian industry as a whole, because its supply industry in the wider region will benefit, along with the immediate location itself,” said Bavarian Prime Minister, Dr. Edmund Stoiber. “I am delighted at this future investment in Bavaria as a production base.”
This is the third time in the last few months that Audi has chosen Germany over other potential plant locations for the production of a new model. The new Audi A5 was announced to be built in Ingolstadt only a few months ago, plus Neckarsulm was chosen for production of the new Audi R8 sports car. R8 production will start in Q4 of 2006.
And back to the Q5, how much will it cost? Prices are expected to start at about $35,000 USD for the base model, or around 30,000 euros in Europe.
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.
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 Audi’s 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 labour 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 labour costs,” commented Berthold Huber, Vice-Chairman of the IG Metall trade union and Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board. “The dedication, experience and ability of a workforce are invaluable assets.”
Of course, government officials had there say as well: “The fact that such an important model for Audi is going to be built in Ingolstadt will provide a boost to Bavarian industry as a whole, because its supply industry in the wider region will benefit, along with the immediate location itself,” said Bavarian Prime Minister, Dr. Edmund Stoiber. “I am delighted at this future investment in Bavaria as a production base.”
This is the third time in the last few months that Audi has chosen Germany over other potential plant locations for the production of a new model. The new Audi A5 was announced to be built in Ingolstadt only a few months ago, plus Neckarsulm was chosen for production of the new Audi R8 sports car. R8 production will start in Q4 of 2006.
And back to the Q5, how much will it cost? Prices are expected to start at about $35,000 USD for the base model, or around 30,000 euros in Europe.
