Following the international debut of the next-gen Q5 last year, Audi is lining up the new model for a launch in India sometime in mid-2017.
Although the new Q5 looks like the current-gen Q7 head on, the rest of the car looks pretty much unchanged. But this Mercedes GLC rival is actually all-new, and thanks to its modular underpinnings – the VW Group’s MLB Evo platform – which it shares with the new A4 and Q7, it’s as much as 90kg lighter than before.
The resemblance to the Q7 continues into the interior too, where fit, finish and equipment levels have taken a huge step up in the new Q5. Audi will be packing in a lot of tech as well, similar to what it did with the Q7 and new A4. Equipment on offer will include Audi’s 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster, LED headlamps, multi-zone auto climate control and Audi’s latest MMI infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, to name a few.
Under the hood, the SUV is expected to be offered with a line-up of 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines developing 252hp and 190hp respectively. All-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox will be offered as standard.
When it comes to India, the new Q5 is expected to be locally assembled at Audi’s Aurangabad plant to help keep prices competitive.