Tag: Car

Its mighty V6 TDI engine, and the advanced electrically powered compressor which so compellingly quickens its responses, have already earned the SQ5 TDI the distinction of being the first Audi SUV to wear the evocative S badge. Now both key elements have raised their game yet again in the new generation model, which combines improvements to that already highly acclaimed powerhouse with extensive modifications inside and out. These include the introduction to the cabin of the latest Audi touch-screen MMI Touch control and the availability of new next generation digital OLED rear lighting as part of an exterior rework that brings the top tier SUV back up to speed with contemporary Audi design principles. On arrival in the UK in early 2021 the new generation model will be offered in two formats – SQ5 TDI and SQ5 TDI Vorsprung – the latter featuring a particularly comprehensive selection of indulgences and practical driver aids.

“It’s the immediacy of the power delivery as much as the sheer force of the acceleration that makes such a lasting impression in the SQ5 TDI,” says Director of Audi UK Andrew Doyle. “Now that the formidable engine and independent electric compressor have been primed to perform even more readily and even more efficiently, and the successful SUV they power has been updated inside and out, the SQ5 TDI promises to be even more crushingly effective as a driver’s car and as an ownership proposition.”

In its latest incarnation, the 3.0-litre V6 at the heart of the new generation SQ5 TDI delivers 341PS and 700 Nm (516.3 lb-ft) of torque, the latter across a wider engine speed range between 1,750 rpm and 3,250 rpm. Peak power is also produced earlier than before, helping to propel the mid-size performance SUV from rest to 62mph in 5.1 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. An actuator in the exhaust system gives the V6 a particularly sonorous sound.

3.0-litre TDI with extensive modifications
Numerous detail enhancements have been made to the V6 3.0 TDI. Its original aluminium pistons have been replaced with stronger, lighter forged steel equivalents that not only reduce heat losses but also ensure combustion is faster and more efficient thanks to their newly introduced stepped recesses. The solenoid injectors used to inject the fuel operate with consistently high precision thanks to a new piezo sensor that monitors the closing of the needle. They can perform up to eight injections per work cycle, with injection quantities that are scalable with even greater precision. The maximum injection pressure is 2,500 bar.

The direct air/air intercooler that was originally located in the bumper has been replaced by an indirect water/air cooler in the inside V of the engine. The shortened intake air paths this permits help to build up boost pressure quickly. The indirect intercooler is more effective and can even heat the intake air shortly after the engine is started in cold ambient conditions in order to reach the ideal combustion temperatures more quickly. This means that the exhaust gas cleaning system can respond more quickly to further optimise emission control.

The turbocharger now features a smaller and lighter compressor wheel that spools up with exceptional speed – a key factor in the engine’s spontaneous and high torque build-up – while the exhaust manifold also benefits from improved insulation, enabling the exhaust gas to reach the optimum temperature more quickly after a cold start.

MHEV and EPC: even greater efficiency and response
As before, the SQ5 TDI is able to strike its remarkable compromise between performance that more than warrants the S badge and efficiency that is in step with modern day demands thanks to its 48-volt mild hybrid system (MHEV) and electrically powered compressor (EPC).

The MHEV integrates a belt alternator starter (BAS), a lithium-ion battery that provides buffer storage and a 48/12-volt voltage converter. When the car decelerates, the MHEV system recovers up to 8 kW of power. It also enables the SUV to coast for up to 40 seconds with the engine switched off, after which time it is unintrusively restarted by the powerful BAS.. The MHEV system has the potential to reduce fuel consumption by up to 0.7 litres for every 62 miles driven.

The EPC intervenes whenever the exhaust gas flow provides too little energy to drive the turbocharger. A compact electric motor, which also uses the compact 48-volt system, accelerates the compressor wheel of the EPC to 65,000 rpm in roughly 300 milliseconds. In the latest generation SQ5 TDI the EPC is now used more frequently and across a broader engine map, and it makes its presence felt particularly strongly during step-off acceleration and when pulling away from low engine speeds. Its interaction with the MHEV, the turbocharger, the engine itself and the tiptronic transmission has been further optimised in this latest application to make the abundant power and torque even more readily accessible.

Two SCR catalytic converters interact: the exhaust gas aftertreatment
For exhaust gas aftertreatment, Audi uses twin-dosing technology based on two SCR catalytic converters working together. The first of these is located directly behind the manifold in the exhaust gas system, where it also functions as a particulate filter. The second is located further away from the engine under the vehicle floor. Each of the converters covers different operating situations and exhaust gas temperature windows, and each is supplied with the AdBlue urea solution from a 24-litre tank. Thanks to twin-dosing technology, the SQ5 TDI substantially undercuts the limits of the new “Euro 6d ISC-FCM AP” emissions standard, which also stipulates a dramatic reduction in NOx emissions in the real driving test conducted on public roads in everyday traffic situations. In the official tests, the latest generation SQ5 TDI proved capable of returning up to 34.4 MPG with CO2 output from 216g/km.

Shifting gear quickly and conveniently: the eight-speed tiptronic
The significant modifications to the engine and ancillaries have been taken into account when configuring the new shift strategy for the eight-speed tiptronic transmission, which delivers fast and smooth shifts and incorporates a clutch that interrupts the power flow when the SQ5 TDI is in coasting mode with the engine switched off.

As with all S models, output is channelled to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system, which in normal driving conditions distributes it between the front and rear axles in a 40:60 ratio. In the event that grip is compromised, the majority of the available torque is directed to the axle with the better traction. Up to 70 percent can flow to the front wheels and a maximum of 85 percent to the rear. During fast cornering, the wheel-selective torque control makes minor brake interventions at the wheels on the inside of the bend to maintain the best possible trajectory.

Sport differential: more torque, greater adjustability
As a further aid to adjustability, the sport differential which is standard for the SQ5 TDI Vorsprung actively controls the distribution of torque between the rear wheels. It sends more torque to the wheel on the outside of the bend that has better grip, literally pressing the car into the curve and reducing understeer considerably. The outer rear wheel also receives more torque when the car is accelerating out of tight-radius corners to further improve driving dynamics. A high performance braking system, including six-piston S-embossed aluminium brake calipers on the front axle which grip discs with a diameter of 375 millimetres, provides consistently reassuring stpping power during more committed driving.

Supreme precision: the suspension
The suspension that supports quattro and the sport differential is no less sophisticated. The five-link front and rear set-up, which lowers the body by 30 millimetres versus the standard Q5, naturally has S-specific tuning and also features adaptive damper control with with exceptionally wide operating parameters that enable it to very effectively prioritise cruising comfort, challenging cornering and everything in between.

Together with the sport differential (where fitted) and the engine, steering and tiptronic transmission, the controlled dampers are networked into the Audi drive select dynamic handling system, which is fitted as standard. The driver can choose from six profiles which influence the operating characteristics of these systems: auto, comfort, efficiency, dynamic, offroad, and individual. A seventh profile, allroad, is available to drivers of the SQ5 TDI Vorsprung, which features S-specific adaptive air suspension – this air suspension adjusts the ride height of the body through five levels depending on the driving situation.

New accents: the exterior design
Sat low on its standard 20-inch wheels the remodelled Audi SQ5 TDI has a powerful stance, with striking details that give it an even more rugged appearance. Vertical fins provide structure to the large side air inlets on the front bumpers, and in the octagonal Singleframe grille that is specific to the S models, large octagonal honeycomb sections are linked by narrow bars. These have an aluminium finish, as do the fins on the air inlets. At the rear, a matte aluminium strip is integrated in the lower bumpers, below which are the diffuser insert and four chromium-plated oval tailpipe trims. SQ5 TDI Vorsprung models, with their larger 21-inch alloy wheels and additional black body detailing, are even more distinctive.

The latest lighting technology: Matrix LED headlights and digital OLED rear lights
Matrix LED headlights with automatic high beam and dynamic indicators are fitted as standard to both models, and the rear lights in SQ5 TDI Vorsprung versions also feature new digital OLED technology. The OLED rear lights are split into three tiles of six segments each, and at the point of order customers can select the light signatures these display from a choice of three, each with its own specific design for coming and leaving home. When the Audi drive select mode “dynamic” is activated, the lights also display a signature that is specific to this setting. The OLED rear light also has a proximity detection function that activates all the OLED segments if a road user approaches a stationary SQ5 from the rear to within a distance of less than two metres. The OLED lighting technology is also available as an option for SQ5 TDI models.

Black, grey or red: the interior
Inside, the SQ5 TDI can be finished in black, dark grey or red. Its electrically adjustable sport seats featuring embossed S logos offer a three-mode massage function and are upholstered in fine Nappa leather with a rhombus pattern in contrasting stitching which is carried through to the seat edges and steering wheel. Brushed aluminium inlays bisect the dashboard and doors in SQ5 TDI models, while the SQ5 TDI Vorsprung is trimmed in carbon which is also optionally available for its standard counterpart.

At the rear, the standard “plus” version of the seat bench not only features a base that can be moved backwards and forwards to give priority to luggage or passengers, but also tilt adjustable seat backrests. Via the electrically operated tailgate the luggage compartment has a basic capacity of 520 litres, increasing to 1,520 litres with the rear seat backs folded down. Roof rails in either aluminium in standard models or black in Vorsprung versions also maximise versatility, as does the SQ5 TDI’s capacity to tow trailers weighing up to 2.4 metric tons (braked, on a 12 percent gradient).

Operating system, infotainment and Audi connect
The new 10.1-inch MMI touch display, a central element of the MIB 3 modular infotainment platform, serves as the nerve centre of the new generation SQ5 TDI models. As an alternative to fingertip entry via the touch screen, the state-of-the-art system can also accept commands made via the multifunction steering wheel and using the spoken word thanks to advanced natural language voice control. If several drivers use the car, they can store their personal settings in up to six individual profiles. The 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit is naturally also standard and provides three different graphic layouts: Dynamic, Sport and Classic. In SQ5 TDI Vorsprung models it is also supplemented by a head-up display projecting important information onto the windscreen in the driver’s field of vision.

The internet-enabled Car-to-X services available as part of the standard Audi connect package can help drivers find parking spots on the roadside and warn of hazards such as slippery roads and fog on the route ahead. The Audi phone box is also on hand in both versions to connect smartphones with the vehicle’s aerial and charge them inductively. A digital connection between the car and the user’s smartphone can also be established using the myAudi app, which enables a number of features to be controlled remotely using the handset.

Convenient and precise: the driver assist systems
SQ5 TDI Vorsprung models feature a wealth of upgrades such as a Bang & Olufsen 3D Premium Sound System, a panoramic glass sunroof and electric steering wheel adjustment, as well as virtually the full complement of driver assistance features available across the Q5 range. Chief among these is the Tour Pack, which incorporates an adaptive cruise assist system that can assume responsibility for accelerating, decelerating and keeping in lane over long distances, and predictive efficiency assist to foster a predictive driving style with the goal of lowering fuel consumption, plus turn assist and collision avoidance assist functions.

Audi offers post Brexit price protection peace of mind
The announcement of the new SQ5 comes at a time when Audi UK is now offering added peace of mind to customers. Sections of the retail automotive industry in England had to close from November 5, however Audi’s showrooms remain virtually available to customers, while ‘click and collect’ and home delivery services are in operation. Service departments also remain open to customers to provide essential servicing, maintenance and MOT work. Retails in Scotland and Northern Ireland continue to be open, while those in Wales reopened this week following a national lockdown.

In addition to this while there is continuing uncertainty over Brexit negotiations Audi has stepped up and now guarantees it will not pass on any potential post Brexit tariffs for all orders placed before 17:30 on December 2, 2020. The move is aimed at giving buyers confidence and offering certainty in uncertain times*.

It is already adept at quickening the pulse, and now the 300PS Audi SQ2 is even more capable of catching the eye as it adopts the sharper new look and upgraded lighting technology already favouring the other members of the compact SUV range. Enhancement of the S model that first brought sub-five-second acceleration potential to the Audi Q family’s singularly stylish lead-in SUV two years ago has also taken place beneath the skin. The cabin now benefits from additional equipment, improved infotainment and web-based Audi connect functionality and an expanded portfolio of driver assistance systems. When they become available in the UK from November 19, 2020 the latest generation SQ2 and even more striking SQ2 Black Edition models will also be joined by a newly inroduced SQ2 Vorsprung with a particularly exhaustive equipment list. Deliveries of all variants will begin here early in 2021.

“For the SQ2 we took the basic template set so successfully by high performance hatchbacks like our S3 Sportback and used it to create a version of our already capable compact SUV that has a great deal to offer fans of both formats,“ commented Director of Audi UK, Andrew Doyle. “The carefully considered design and technology updates it receives here as part of the improvement programme for the entire Q2 model line will only increase its appeal further still, as wlll the installation of the very appealing new Vorsprung model at the head of the range.“

Impressive all-rounder in peak form: the 2.0 TFSI
The 2.0-litre TFSI engine powering the new generation SQ2 draws its 300PS output from 1,984 cm3 of displacement, and makes peak torque of 400 Nm (295.0 lb-ft) available to the driver across a broad swathe of the rev range from 2,000 to 5,300 rpm. The turbocharged four-cylinder always responds keenly to throttle inputs, and its sound becomes fuller as speed increases thanks in part to the switchable flaps in the exhaust system. The key figures it delivers speak for themselves: 0 to 62mph in 4.9 seconds, a top speed of 155mph, the potential for up to 34.0 MPG and CO2 emissions from 188 g/km based on the official test cycle.

A number of key enablers support the delivery of thrills with relative thrift in the SQ2. The Audi valvelift system (AVS) switches the stroke of the outlet valves between two levels to continually optimise the flow of exhaust gas to the turbocharger and therefore enhance response, particularly in the lower reaches of the rev range; sophisticated thermal management ensures highly effective coolant flow; and integration of the exhaust manifold integrated into the cylinder head helps the engine to warm up quickly, ensuring that exhaust gas aftertreatment can be activated as early as possible. Needless to say, thanks to these and other measures the Audi SQ2 complies with the limits of the new Euro 6 AP emission standard.

Driving pleasure and driving safety: the seven-speed S tronic and quattro drive
The 2.0 TFSI works in harmony with a seven-speed S tronic transmission in the top-tier Q2. Its lower gears feature closely spaced ratios while the seventh gear is long to maximise fuel economy. The super-fast dual-clutch transmission features D or even more performance-focused S modes, and also enables manual shifting via the lever or the steering wheel-mounted shift paddles. If the standard Audi drive select system is in “efficiency” mode, the clutch disengages when coasting, allowing the compact performance SUV to freewheel.

Like every Audi model that has ever borne the evocative S badge the updated SQ2 is firmly affixed to the road by quattro all-wheel-drive, in this case based on an electro-hydraulic multi-plate clutch that distributes torque smoothly between the axles. In the event that the front wheels break traction, the clutch redirects output completely to the rear within a few milliseconds. It features here in latest generation form including many improvements to elements such as the bearings and oil supply which increase its efficiency. The entire clutch weighs just under one kilogram less than its equivalent in the previous model, due in part to the fact that the control unit is now integrated in the clutch housing.

During faster driving on more challenging roads, the electronically controlled quattro system can direct a proportion of the torque to the rear axle in the interest of agility, and enables precise turn-in during load reversal. Its highly intelligent reactions are also supported by wheel-selective torque control, which makes minor brake interventions at the wheels on the inside of a corner to maintain the best line through to the exit.

Dynamic character: suspension and steering
The ideal operating conditions for quattro drive are provided by S sport suspension which lowers the body by 20 millimetres versus the Q2, and by standard progressive steering whose ratio becomes more direct as lock is applied. This makes the SQ2 even more agile when manoeuvring, in urban traffic and through the hairpins.

Audi drive select allows the driver to influence how the updated SQ2 responds to inputs. The dynamic handling system features “auto,” comfort,” “dynamic,” “efficiency” and “individual” modes that can fine-tune the operating profile of the steering, the S tronic transmission, the engine and other systems. For driving a little further off the beaten track, the driver can also activate an off-road mode for the Electronic Stabilisation Control (ESC) at the touch of a button.

Sizeable brakes with S-branded calipers and a diameter of 340 millimetres at the front axle and 310 millimetres at the rear guarantee reassuringly forceful stopping power. In the SQ2 they sit behind 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/45 tyres, and in the SQ2 Black Edition they are housed within 19-inch wheels with a contrasting grey diamond-cut finish and 235/40 section tyres

Strong character with high definition lines: the exterior design
With its crisp, precisely defined corners and edges the SQ2 is a car full of character. The frontal styling is now even more striking, particularly in the area below the upgraded headlights. Its octagonal Singleframe is slightly lower, making the front section appear wider, and its insert now also references the polygon motif that characterises the entire car. The design of the large implied air intakes surrounded by wide frames in selenite silver is also more expressive, and narrow slits between the radiator grille and the bonnet pay homage to the design of the iconic Audi Sport quattro.

LED headlights are standard for SQ2 and SQ2 Black Edition models, while the SQ2 Vorsprung takes a step up to Matrix LED units. Each of their modules houses seven individual LEDs that deliver an intelligently controlled high beam light that always illuminates the road as brightly as possible without blinding other road users. Ten further light-emitting diodes installed behind rhomboid optical components generate the daytime running light, while seven LEDs generate the dynamic indicators that are incorporated in conjunction with Matrix LED. The SQ2 also features LED lights at the rear, which are also paired with dynamic rear indicators in Vorsprung versions. These top specification headlights and rear lights also offer dynamic light sequencing when the car is locked and unlocked.

In profile, the revised SQ2 highlights its membership of the S series through its aluminium-look mirror housings, while its pronounced sill inserts, roof edge spoiler and platinum grey C-pillar blades add to its distinctive visual appeal. At the rear, the pentagonal polygon treatment is now carried through into the bumper, within which is a diffuser insert framing two sets of twin exhaust tailpipes. Raising the standard powered tailgate reveals a minimum of 355 litres of luggage capacity, which can be expanded to 1,000 litres if the rear seat backrests are folded.

The latest generation SQ2 can be specified in a choice of seven colours, and its C-pillar is offered in two contrasting shades – the standard platinum grey or brilliant black – or alternatively in the chosen body colour. Upgrading to the SQ2 Black Edition adds gloss titanium black detailing for the the Singleframe surround, the strips on the air inlet grille and the rear diffuser, and a matt titanium black finish for the radiator grille, the underbody protection, the air inlet surrounds and the rear diffuser. The exhaust tailpipes are also trimmed in black chrome and the exterior mirror housings and C-pillar blades in solid Brilliant black.

Dark tones, upscale materials: the interior
As is the case with all Audi S models, the interior of the SQ2 features high quality materials presented in a dark colour scheme. Front sport seats upholstered in a black leather and Alcantara mix in the SQ2 and SQ2 Black Edition or in full Fine Nappa leather in the SQ2 Vorsprung provide ample support and also now feature electrically adjustable lumbar support. The headlining is also finished in black. In the latest models the door panels are crafted from a new, more tactile soft-touch material, and the air vents and S tronic selector lever have a new look.

In terms of equipment, the already extensive core list for all versions expands for this latest generation to include a rear view camera to complement the rear parking sensors, which are now also joined by front sensors for enhanced perimeter monitoring. Protection of the SQ2, its occupants and other road users was already cutting edge in the class thanks to the inclusion as standard of Audi pre sense front, which uses radar to observe the area in front of the car in order to avoid accidents or reduce their severity.

On-board infotainment technology is also significantly enhanced across the board, not only by the addition of the fully digital virtual cockpit with its 12.3-inch binnacle display but also by MMI navigation plus with its 8.3-inch monitor controllable via rotary pushbutton or natural language voice control. As before, the Audi smartphone interface also features as standard to enable key apps from a handset to be displayed and controlled by the MMI system.

MMI navigation plus includes an LTE module for fast data transmission, and a three-year subscription to the web-based services of Audi connect, granting access to online traffic, weather and local fuel pricing information and Google Earth navigation mapping. It also now includes the new features Audi connect emergency call & service and Audi connect remote & control, which via the smartphone-based myAudi app allow the owner to lock the vehicle remotely or check the fuel fill level and range, for example.

Exceptionally inclusive: the new SQ2 Vorsprung
As elsewhere in the Audi range, Vorsprung specification offers the ultimate pre-defined equipment package for the SQ2. Taking the Black Edition model as its basis, but marked out externally by its exclusive alloy wheels and Matrix LED lighting, the top tier SQ2 is further enhanced by features such as front seat heating for the upgraded Fine Nappa leather sport seats, a panoramic sunroof, Bang & Olufsen audio and the Audi phone box enabling wireless charging and connection of smartphones to the vehicle’s aerial.

Its driver assistance capability also increases considerably thanks to the inclusion of systems such as park assist for automatic ‘hands-free’steering into and out of parking spaces, Audi side assist blindspot monitoring, the cross traffic assist reversing aid and adaptive cruise assist, the latter making its SQ2 debut as part of the model update. Adaptive cruise assist enables the driver to let the system largely take over the tasks of accelerating, decelerating and steering within a lane with the help of its frontal camera and sophisticated sensors. In order to maintain automatic lateral guidance, the driver need only gently touch the steering wheel, which is part of the system, to prove that they are paying attention.