Audi has revealed the Q5 e-tron electric SUV at the Auto Guangzhou 2021 motor show in China. The three-row SUV is the second Audi model developed by the VW-SAIC (Volkswagen-Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation) joint venture. The Q5 e-tron will be launched initially in China and may be offered in other markets in the future.
Can be had in 6- and 7-seat layouts
Will be available in three variants – 35, 40 and 50
Audi India’s EV line-up includes e-tron SUV and e-tron GT
Audi Q5 e-tron: platform and dimensions
Unlike the upcoming Q6 e-tron, which will be underpinned by the PPE architecture, the new Q5 e-tron is built on VW Group’s MEB platform that also forms the basis for Volkswagen’s China-only ID 6 electric SUV. Hence, in essence, the Q5 e-tron is a premium version of the ID 6. In terms of dimensions, the new Q5 e-tron measures 4,876mm in length, 1,860mm in width, 1,675mm in height and has a 2,965mm wheelbase. The Q5 e-tron’s overall length and wheelbase are identical to that of the Volkswagen ID 6.
Audi Q5 e-tron: exterior and interior
Design-wise, the new Q5 e-tron looks like a larger version of the Q4 e-tron SUV. Up front, it features a large, covered off, single-frame grille with slim, angular headlights on either side. The front bumper also gets triangular intakes in place of the fog lamps. At the sides, the Q5 e-tron gets dynamic design lines along the front and rear fender and stylish, dual-tone alloys. The SUV can even be optioned with a dual-tone roof. At the back, it features slim LED tail-lights with a full-width lightbar stretching across the tailgate, much like the larger e-tron SUV.
Inside the cabin, the Q5 e-tron’s dashboard looks near identical to the Q4 e-tron’s, with a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and an 11.6-inch infotainment touchscreen. However, owing to the Q5’s larger footprint, the cabin is roomier than the Q4’s and offers space for up to seven passengers in three rows of seats. The Q5 e-tron will also be available in a 6-seat layout, with two individual seats in the second row.
Audi Q5 e-tron: powertrain
The Q5 e-tron will be offered in three variants in China. The entry-level 35 variant will be rear-wheel-drive only and will come with a 180hp electric motor and 55kWh battery. The 40 will be the mid-spec variant that gets a more powerful 204hp electric motor and a larger 83.4kWh battery. The range-topping 50 variant, meanwhile, will get a dual-motor setup with 302hp and all-wheel drive, while using the same battery as the 40 variant. Audi claims that the Q5 e-tron has a maximum driving range of 560km and can do 0-100kph in 6.7sec.
Audi in India
The Q5 e-tron SUV will not be sold in India and will be launched initially in China only. However, Audi has introduced its all-electric vehicle line-up – the e-tron SUV, e-tron Sportback, e-tron GT, and RS e-tron GT – here in the past few months. The range is set to further expand, with the Q4 e-tron likely to arrive by late 2022.
Furthermore, Audi will be looking to bolster its conventional line-up with the re-introduction of models such as the facelifted Q5, the new Q3, the facelift Q7. All three will be petrol-only models, with Audi no longer offering diesel engines for any of its launches in India.
Also see:
Audi unveils A8 facelift with sharper styling
2021 Audi Q5 facelift India review, test drive
All-electric Audi RS6 e-tron expected by 2023