Power hike of almost 30 PS and 50Nm of extra torque for new Q5 flagship

• 340 PS and 700 Nm of torque available from the 3.0-litre V6 BiTDI powerplant
• 0-62mph in 5.1 seconds, 155mph top speed
• The first model in the Q5 range fitted with a sports differential in addition to quattro all-wheel drive for even more surefooted traction
• Highlights include 21-inch alloy wheels and black gloss styling package
• Opens for UK ordering later this year

The already formidable Audi SQ5 TDI reinforces its status as a practical SUV delivering genuine sportscar pace this week as it becomes the latest Audi ‘S’ model to undergo the performance-intensifying 'plus' treatment. With more power, more torque and more equipment than its ‘standard’ counterpart, which is notable as the first ever diesel-powered Audi S model and remains in the line-up, the new SQ5 TDI plus will be available to order later this year. UK pricing will be also be confirmed at a later date.

The biturbo V6 TDI at the heart of the SQ5 TDI plus produces 340 PS from its three litres of displacement by way of increased injection pressure. This results in 27 PS more power compared to the current SQ5 TDI. Its peak torque is increased by 50 Nm (36.9 lb-ft) to 700 Nm (516.3 lb-ft), enabling acceleration from rest to 62 mph in a mere 5.1 seconds; top speed is electronically limited at 155 mph. According to the NEDC combined cycle consumption test, up to 42.8mpg is also potentially achievable with emissions of 174 g CO2/km, which along with the plentiful torque serves as just about the only reminder that this performance flagship prefers diesel.

Like all S models from Audi, the SQ5 TDI plus delivers its power to the road via the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. For the first time on a Q5 variant, a sports differential at the rear axle actively distributes the drive power between the wheels.

More immediately noticeable clues to the plus version’s status can be found externally, where its rank is conveyed by gloss black 21-inch cast aluminium Audi Sport wheels in 5-twin-spoke star design and an extended black gloss package taking in the exterior mirror housings, door handles, roof edge spoiler and rear diffuser. A further visual customisation feature on the exterior are two clasps that join the four exhaust tailpipes in pairs.

Inside, diamond stitched fine Nappa leather upholstery further enhances the SQ5 sports seats in the plus version, and the sliding rear bench seat plus also features as standard to increase variability and enlarge the luggage compartment, if necessary.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

First ever purely electric Audi SUV destined for series production following Frankfurt concept reveal

• Audi e-tron quattro concept will be unveiled at IAA 2015
• Production ready model scheduled for 2018
• Capable of more than 310 miles
• Electrified quattro drivetrain with three motors
• cd value of just 0.25

The conceptual basis for a completely new all-electric Audi SUV with a potential range of more than 310 miles will be one of the stars of the IAA in Frankfurt next month. The Audi e-tron quattro concept profits from the expertise gained in the development of the forthcoming R8 e-tron, and the roadgoing model which it will help to spawn will be notable as the brand’s first large-series electric car when it enters production in 2018.

The Audi e tron quattro concept is designed from the ground up as an electric car and proves to be pioneering in its segment at the very first glance. It follows the Audi “Aerosthetics” concept, combining technical measures for reducing aerodynamic drag with creative design solutions. Movable aerodynamic elements at the front, on the sides and at the rear improve the air flow around the car. The aerodynamically optimised underbody is completely closed. With a cd value of 0.25, the car sets a new record in the SUV segment. This contributes considerably to the long range of more than 310 miles (500 kilometres).

The study is based on the second-generation modular longitudinal platform, which provides considerable scope for the drive system and package. Its length is between that of the Audi Q5 and the Q7. Its typical SUV body and flat, coupé-like cabin give the Audi e tron quattro concept a very dynamic appearance. The spacious interior offers room for four people.

The large lithium-ion battery is positioned between the axles and below the passenger compartment. This installation position provides for a low centre of gravity and a balanced axle load distribution, giving the car better driving dynamics and driving safety than other vehicles in the segment.

Audi uses its experience with the electrically driven Audi R8 e tron sports car for the drive system. Three electric motors – one on the front axle and two on the rear – effectively create an ‘electrified quattro’, making the e tron quattro concept both highly efficient and responsive.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

Real-time online Audi finance quotation service now available for fleet customers and small businesses

• Tailored quotes offer key information such as P11D cost and Audi model comparisons
• Calculator now live on audi.co.uk/businessfinance
• Website expands on fleet-focused offerings from Audi, including free mileage tracker app
• Joins existing retail finance calculator for personalised PCP quotes

Crunching the numbers to weigh up the viability of an Audi as a company car is now easier than ever before thanks to a versatile new online Audi finance tool capable of producing instant contract hire quotes tailored to fleet customers.

In just a few clicks, the Audi business finance calculator presents users with a comprehensive breakdown of all the necessary information needed to inform their decision process, from BIK tax payable and P11D value to monthly repayment and advance rental payment amounts.

Fleet customers can filter the most appropriate cars in the range using presets such as transmission, fuel type and economy, drivetrain, engine size or VED band. They can also directly compare the merits of up to three models to determine if, for example, the perenially popular A3, starting from £186 per month*, is the best fit, or the remarkable new TT Coupé is within reach at £348 per month*, or maybe if they can indulge themselves in the luxurious new seven-seat Q7 SUV at £586 per month*.

Once a specific model, such as the 109g/km, 67mpg A6 TDI ultra S tronic, is selected along with the desired specification, the initial quote can be customised by opting for higher mileage limits per year or changing the repayment length or the monthly rental in advance. Servicing packages with tyre replacement options can also be added.

A financial illustration is then generated and can be sent to the nearest local Audi Centre to begin the ordering process. The site’s page also offers the opportunity to arrange a test drive, download a brochure or contact a local Centre for more information.

Quick and simple P11D calculation

Also integrated into the quotation page is a tax calculation tool capable of projecting Benefit in Kind costs based on individual inputs such as one-off personal contributions, monthly contributions to employer and income tax.

As an example, an A7 Sportback 3.0 TDI ultra in SE Executive specification will cost £455.47 per month* over three years, corresponding to a total annual BIK charge of £5,690.04 for a 40 per cent tax payer.

The new business finance calculator is the latest in a long line of innovations aimed at taking complexity and time consumption out of the Audi fleet customer experience wherever possible. Other convenient tools available for SMEs and user choosers include the free Audi mileage tracker app for recording business trips on the road and the informative Audi UK ‘fleet management basics’ video series offering useful advice on aspects such as calculating private fuel and a breakdown of BIK.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk

New 218PS version of advanced 3.0-litre TDI engine maintains polished V6 refinement while further reducing consumption in reworked Q7

• New 218PS version of all-new Q7 joins 272PS model – available with SE and S line specification priced at £47,755 OTR and £51,250 OTR respectively
• Available to order now – UK first deliveries from October
• 3.0 TDI 218PS: 0-62mph in 7.3 secs, top speed 134mph, combined MPG 49.6 (18-inch wheel), CO2 148g/km (18-inch wheel)
• Standard specification includes MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch, Audi connect, Audi drive select, keyless go, parking system plus, powered tailgate
• S line versions fitted with all-weather LED headlights, 20-inch alloy wheels, privacy glass and S line styling enhancements
• Options include Audi Virtual Cockpit, adaptive air suspension and all-wheel-steering

By jettisoning up to 325kg in weight compared with its predecessor the all-new Audi Q7 is perfectly placed to capitalise on the fuel-saving capabilities of advanced new engines like the 218PS V6 TDI, which has just joined the range. Complementing the 272PS version of this remarkably efficient and refined 3.0-litre unit, which spearheaded the launch of the re-engineered seven-seat luxury SUV, the new lower output option is capable of returning in excess of 49mpg with CO2 emissions of as little as 148g/km. The new Audi Q7 3.0 TDI quattro 218PS is available in SE and S line specification priced from £47,755 OTR, and is due with its first UK customers in October.

Despite its even more intensive focus on efficiency the new entry point to the Q7 range isn’t short-changed on performance. The EU6-compliant unit’s 218PS peak output, available from 3,250rpm through to 4,750rpm, and the 500Nm torque maximum it delivers between 1,250rpm and 3,000rpm, are slickly converted by the eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission into a 0-62mph time of just 7.3 seconds and a potential top speed of 134mph.

Yet thanks in part to modifications to the water pump, oil cooler and combustion process, among other things, the SE version with its 19-inch alloy wheels and the S line with its 20-inch upgrade can deliver up to 48.7mpg according to the combined cycle test, equating to CO2 output of 150g/km. Customers who choose the SE, and who place particular emphasis on economy and efficiency, can specify a smaller 18-inch wheel as an alternative to further reduce consumption and emissions – with their help up to 49.6mpg is possible with emissions of 148g/km.

Another significant contributing factor to these impressive returns is the intensive weight optimisation programme that has shaved precious kilograms from the Q7 in every area from the suspension and drivetrain components to the body panels. The most notable savings were made in the multimaterial body-in-white, which is 71kg lighter than its predecessor, in the all-aluminium doors which strip away 24kg and in the chassis with its sophisticated new five-link suspension, which subtracts 67kg.

Adaptive air suspension now available individually

With the seven-seat configuration which is standard for UK models the Q7 weighs in a total of 240kg lighter than the same set-up in the outgoing model, and the weight discrepancy between old and new five-seat versions (a no-cost option in the UK) is an even more impressive 325kg. This not only gives a freer rein to the V6 TDI units but also reduces unsprung masses to enable the newly developed suspension to deliver the best possible ride comfort.

For the ultimate in unruffled travel an adaptive air suspension system, which itself weighs 10kg less than before, can be added at extra cost to keep the body consistently level and suppress the worst effects of the roughest of surfaces, no matter what the Q7 carries and where it ventures. The system was previously available only as part of the Dynamic Pack but can now also be ordered as a standalone option.

For consummate control in all weathers and on all surfaces quattro all-wheel-drive is fitted as standard. Managed by a self-locking centre differential which apportions 40 per cent of power to the front and 60 per cent to the rear under normal driving conditions, it can shift up to 70 per cent forwards and up to 85 per cent rearwards if either axle becomes overburdened.

All-wheel-steering as a segment first

All-wheel-drive can also be supplemented as an option in the new Q7 by all-wheel-steering – a unique feature in the SUV segment. At low speeds, the front and rear wheels turn in opposite directions, reducing the turning circle by up to one metre for noticeably easier manoeuvrability when parking and turning at low speeds. At higher speeds the rear wheels turn with the front by up to 3.5 degrees to enhance steering response and improve stability.

This ground-breaking technological sophistication is carried over into the interior. As a starting point, the latest MMI navigation plus incorporating an ultra-clear 8.3-inch electrically retractable monitor and large fingertip-reactive MMI Touch pad serves as a portal for a wealth of entertainment and infotainment content in the Q7, and trial access to the internet-based services and in-car web browsing opportunities offered by Audi connect is also included.

SE and S line models also feature the MMI radio plus incorporating a DAB module and linked to the 10-speaker Audi sound system, electrically operated and heated front seats with four-way electric lumbar support, cruise control, light and rain sensors, the Audi parking system plus with front and rear visual and acoustic guidance, hill descent control and keyless go. S line models add front sports seats upholstered in pearl Nappa leather and Alcantara and privacy glass.

The Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system is standard for all versions, and enables the driver to alter the operating characteristics of the engine, transmission and new fuel-saving electromechanical steering across five driving modes – auto, comfort, efficiency, dynamic or individual.

When efficiency mode is selected, the S tronic transmission is disengaged from the driveline whenever the driver eases off the throttle to enable the Q7 to ‘coast’ in the interest of further fuel savings. When the adaptive air suspension system is specified, Audi drive select also enables the driver to select an allroad and lift/offroad function to increase ground clearance by 25mm and 60mm respectively.

The Audi virtual cockpit, which has already set a new benchmark in the TT and R8 sports cars, is available to replace the analogue dials in the binnacle with a 12.3-inch fully digital TFT display capable of presenting a classic view with high-quality rendered dial instruments or an infotainment view with an extended display area for lists and navigation mapping.

The Audi virtual cockpit can be specified individually or as part of a Technology pack which also includes a head-up display for projection of key information onto the windscreen in the driver’s eye line, high beam assist for sensor-controlled alternation between dipped and main beam (standard for S line models), the Audi phone box for wireless connection of mobile phones to the Q7’s aerial, plus inductive charging of Qi-enabled handsets, and a three-year subscription to Audi connect services.

Detachable touch-screen tablets

Two high quality audio systems from Bose and Bang & Olufsen can also be specified to deliver remarkable 3D sound through the use of additional speakers in the A-pillars which provide the spatial dimension of height. Rear seat passengers can also be treated to the Audi Entertainment Mobile, which includes two detachable 10.1-inch high definition touch screens which can be attached to the front seat backs. These can stream content from iPhone or Android smartphones via different sources, including an Audi app, the integrated SD card reader, USB, Miracast WiFi or Bluetooth.

Later this year the Audi smartphone interface will also become available on the options list, integrating many of the functions of iOS and Android mobile phones into the Audi MMI system and replicating the distinctive look of each operating system on the MMI screen using “Apple Car Play” and “Google Android Auto”. If a compatible iOS or Android cellular phone is connected to the USB port, the respective environment opens in the Audi smartphone interface. Both platforms offer navigation functions, missed call/appointment reminders and messaging functions, as well as a wealth of music playback options. Over time, these will be augmented by numerous third-party applications such as Pandora, Spotify and WhatsApp.

LED daytime running lights are common to both versions, and in the S line, LED headlights also replace the SE version’s standard Xenon plus units. These are also complemented as part of S line specification by a high beam assist function and dynamic rear indicators, which sweep sequentially from the inside out for better visibility when turning.

Optional Matrix LEDs

Both light sources can also be replaced as an option by Matrix LED units comprising banks of LEDs capable of reacting individually to the presence of oncoming and leading cars. When high beam is activated and sensors detect cars in the vicinity they can dip or fully extinguish individual LEDs, directing corridors of light around the traffic to maintain maximum visibility of the road and surrounding environment without causing disruption to other drivers. The Matrix LED option also includes dynamic rear indicators for SE models.

An array of innovative optional driver assistance systems can also act as a second pair of eyes for the driver of the new Q7 during a wide range of everyday manoeuvres such as reversing out of a perpendicular parking space into moving traffic, pulling out of a junction into crossing traffic and exiting the car on a traffic-clogged road. Thanks to an evolution of adaptive cruise control incorporating a traffic jam assistant the Q7 can even take over steering duties on marked roads if traffic is moving at below 37mph.

Cabin space and the archetypal Audi quality of finish have always been Q7 virtues, and both are improved upon in the new model. Across the three rows of seats, upholstered in supple Twin leather in the SE or leather and Alcantara in the S line, headroom has increased for both front and second row passengers, and when the third row is surplus to requirements it can now be more easily stowed to make room for luggage thanks to a new powered folding mechanism which is standard. A total of 770 litres of luggage space is available when seven passengers are on board, or up to 1,955 litres if only the front seats are occupied.

Article source: www.audi.co.uk