2017 Audi Q5 begins testing in India

Audi has imported the next-gen Q5 in India as the automaker continues to test its upcoming SUV prior to its global reveal later this year. India is a part of Audi’s international testing hubs and the automaker imports most of its cars to test in the country prior to revealing the model internationally.

The next-gen Q5 is based on Audi’s MLB platform that also underpins the Q7. The new lighter architecture means that the model will weigh less than its predecessor with sources saying that it could be lighter by up to 100kg depending on the variants.

Under the hood, the next-gen Q5 will borrow the four-cylinder and six-cylinder diesel and petrol motors from the new A4 paired to a choice of manual or automatic gearboxes. Power will be channelled to the front and all-four wheels as per the variant in question. Audi also plans a hotter variant developed jointly with the Quattro division powered by a twin-turbo V6 petrol motor with over 500hp.

The spy pictures show that the SUV borrows much of its styling cues from the larger Q7 such as the prominent front grille and angular headlamps though the SUV here receives a new LED DRL detailing. Inside the cabin, the interiors are expected to draw heavily from the new A4 with common tech such as Audi’s Virtual Cockpit System and MMI system.

Audi will likely launch the new Q5 sometime next year following the model’s launch in international markets. The automaker also has plans to build the SUV in markets outside Germany with the Q5 to be the first model to be produced at the company’s new plant in Mexico. The automaker also plans to build the models in China and India.