We already familiar with the Audi SQ5, the sportier version of Audi’s mid-tier SUV, at least insofar as it being petrol-powered. Ahead of its appearance at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show in early March, however, the Ingolstadt automaker has revealed the SQ5 TDI, its diesel burning twin.
One might be familiar with the larger SQ7 which also uses a turbodiesel engine, albeit with quite an innovative electric compressor to provide instant boost pressure and, in theory, throttle response. Though the engine in the SQ5 TDI is a 3.0-litre V6 instead of a 4.0-litre V8, it uses that same tech to essentially eliminate turbo-lag and help the engine produce relentless torque.
The SQ5 TDI high voltage electric architecture in tandem with its brake-energy recuperation system and integrated lithium ion battery makes the on-demand compressor possible, of course, categorising the fast SUV as a mild hybrid that just so happens to boast 260kW and 500Nm, enough to propel it to 100km/h from rest in 5.1 seconds, nearly identical to the TFSI.
Naturally, drive is distributed to all four wheels via the Quattro AWD system, but prior to that is funnelled through an 8-speed torque converter automatic, to which buyers can opt to have a sports differential fitted to enable torque vectoring at the rear axle.
As standard, the SQ5 TDI comes equipped with steel springs augmented by the Audi Drive Select system and adjustable dampers. However, adaptive air suspension can also be installed as a cost option, also allowing ride height to be adjustable by 30mm. The car also comes with 20-inch wheels as standard with 21-inch options, so perhaps the comfier air springs would be justified.
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