Audi SQ5 TDI now with hybrid power

The Audi SQ5 TDI has just been announced, and it will feature a new diesel engine that’s assisted by a mild hybrid system. The setup consists of a 3.0-litre turbodiesel V6 engine, paired to a 48V electrical system to power an electric motor and compressor.

The tech, borrowed from the larger Audi SQ7, is intended to significantly reduce turbo lag while improving performance at the lower revs. The compressor is claimed to produce up to 1.4bar of pressure, which is just shy of the 2.4bar from the turbo. The hybrid system also allows the SQ5 TDI to switch the engine off for short periods of coasting, improving fuel economy.

Up front, the diesel burner produces 260kW of power and 500Nm of torque, which will accelerate the SUV from 0-100km/h in 5.1-seconds. The SQ5 TDI comes standard with an eight-speed automatic transmission and Audi’s four-wheel drive quattro system which is configured to a default 40/60 front-rear drive split and can send up to 85% of drive to the rear when necessary. There’s also an optional sports differential for the rear axle that features a torque vectoring function.

The Audi SQ5 TDI will have a steel spring suspension as standard but will also be available with optional adaptive air suspension which includes a 30mm lower ride height, adaptive dampers and ‘Dynamic Steering’.

Interior

The design of the TDI doesn’t stray far from the current Audi SQ5, with its brushed aluminium ‘quattro’ grille, redesigned front and rear bumpers, and the sporty diffuser at the rear. The wheels are standard at 20-inches but can go up to 21-inches on the options list, with red calipers to complement the rim. It’s the same story on the inside of the SQ5 TDI. The sports seats are finished in premium leather and alcantara, while there are aluminium trims scattered across the cabin. The driver is spoilt with a multi-function steering wheel and Audi’s digital instrument cluster, while the infotainment system can be specced with Bang and Olufsen audio and a connectivity package that includes a wireless charging pad.