Fleet preview Audi Q5
The best-selling premium crossover lives on with mild hybrid petrol and diesel options. Guy Bird reports from an early press preview.
Exterior:
As Audi’s best-selling SUV ever, the third-generation Q5 was unlikely to change too much compared to its 2008 Mk1 and 2016 Mk2 forebears. And as it doesn’t have to consider the packaging (and visual marketing) of a fully electric powertrain – the Q4 e-tron has that covered – evolution was always likely to be the order of the day. Audi wouldn’t quite admit to the exact dimensions of the MK3 this far before launch, but expect it to be longer than the Mk2. At its summer sneak preview in Germany, Q5 design leader Frank Lamberty explained to Business Car that two of the main exterior design changes on the Mk3 are a slightly higher and straighter
beltline and a more intricate rear tail light – no doubt to accentuate its more interesting light signatures (see the Technology section on these pages for more). The now full-width rear light signature of the Q5 forms a pronounced lip halfway down the hatchback, followed by a concave lower section within which the numberplate neatly sits. Less neat is the front end, which is made up of a very wide-gauge mesh across the main centre grille, surrounded by partially fake and partially real, side and lower air intakes. The latter lower intake also fails to successfully integrate two large sensors, one central black square and another to the left (as you look at the car). The overall front face is messy and not very Audi. A new head of design, just joined from Jaguar Land Rover, should help clean things up.
Interior:
The cabin of the Q5 shares a similar layout to the new A5 and A6 with a curved 14.5in central touchscreen linked to a 11.9in virtual cockpit angled towards the driver. In addition, an optional 10.9in passenger-side screen allows for further infotainment while visually remaining black – and thus not distracting – to the driver. Physical controls include the start button, drive selector, hazard lights and volume in the centre console, plus more flush controls either side of the steering wheel hub and in the door cards. Well- positioned, chunky grab-handles make it easy to see where to open the doors or pull them shut, and a thin and wraparound light strip unites the dashboard and the two door tops well. Sitting in the rear seats, passenger space is fine – assisted spatially by a two-piece panoramic roof – but the upholstery feels somewhat ‘de-contented’ and basic, not fully premium. Four USB-C ports – two up front and two at the back – come to the rescue of passengers with portable digital devices with low-battery status.
40 | September/October 2024 |
www.businesscar.co.uk
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