Audi launches petrol variant of the second gen Q5 at Rs. 55.27 lakh (ex-showroom)

Audi has launched a petrol variant of its second generation Q5 priced at Rs. 55.27 lakh(ex-showroom). The Q5 diesel was introduced in January 2018 and the Petrol powered Q5 is the third launch of the year for Audi. The new generation SUV is surely more equipped and edgier than its predecessor. The Q5 is built on the same MLB Evo platform that the Q7 is based on. The result, a mid-range luxury SUV that is approx 90kg lighter compared to the older generation. Audi’s product strategy for 2020 is to introduce new body types and alternative powertrains. The Q3 and Q7 design editions will also be launched in a few days time. The first gen Q5 sold to more than 1.6 million users and every third Quattro sold was a Q5.

What’s new?

The new design of the Q5 is sharper and edgier. The grill is slightly redesigned and is now surrounded by a grey bar. The grill is now a lot less curvier and is a bit larger comes with a ‘Quattro’ badge. Apart from that, there is very little to differentiate the new Q5 from the old one.

The cabin design and styling feature the same beige and black dual tone interior with wooden inlays for the dashboard and centre console. It is equipped with the Audi MMI system with an 8.3-inch display featuring navigation. The system is not a touchscreen unit, hence there is a rotary knob that helps toggle between settings. The music is handled by a Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system. The dashboard gets a beautiful 12.3-inch virtual cockpit instrument cluster that shows maps, music, contacts and real-time fuel consumption, distance to empty, average speed and a lot more.

The diesel variant is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder motor that churns out 190hp and 400Nm of torque. However, the new petrol variants get a punchy 2.0-litre motor that churns out a class-leading 250bhp and 370Nm of torque making it the fastest Q5 to be sold in India. It is the same powerplant that is shared with the Q7 40TFSI. The petrol variant also comes mated to Audi’s seven-speed ‘S-Tronic’ dual-clutch gearbox and aided by the Quattro system, sees the SUV sprinting to 100kmph in 6.3 seconds as opposed to the 7.9sec that the diesel variant manages. It directly competes with the likes of the recently launched BMW X3 xDrive30i, Mercedes-Benz GLC 300 and the Lexus NX 300h.

How do you spot a Petrol Q5?

Visually there is no noticeable difference between the diesel and the petrol variant. The Audi Q5 diesel gets a ‘35’ TDI badge on both the variants and the petrol variants will stand out with a ’45’ TFSI badge.