Audi launches Q5

China was the venue for the launch of Audi's all-new small SUV, the Q5.

Aimed at the BMW X3 and Land Rover Freelander, the Q5 is Audi's first entry into the small SUV sector.

The Q5 is very much at the on-road, sporty end of the SUV market and Audi makes bold claims for the car's sporting credentials.

Underlining this is the option of Audi Driver Select, which lets the driver choose between Comfort, Sport and Dynamic settings for the suspension.

This allows the driver to tailor the Q5's driving manners to suit road conditions.

Dynamic steering is also an option, which quickens the steering's responses at lower speeds for a sportier feel.

However, Audi says the Q5 is also about comfort and has given the car a longer wheelbase than many rivals' to create as much cabin space as possible.

The Q5 should be able to seat five adults in comfort, while the boot can be extended all the way to 1,560-litres in size.

Audi also says the Q5 should be the most refined car in its class as it has a very aerodynamic body.

Engine choice is from one petrol and two turbodiesel units to begin with, though other engines will join the line-up later on.

The petrol powerplant is a turbocharged 2.0-litre unit with 208bhp to give 0-62mph in 7.2 seconds and a top speed of 138mph.

A 2.0-litre turbodiesel is expected to be the big seller and has 167bhp for 0-62mph in 9.5 seconds.

This engine returns 42.1mpg combined economy, while the other diesel is a 3.0 V6 that gives 36.6mpg.

The 3.0 V6 turbodiesel has 236bhp and covers 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds.

Both diesels will be available with the option of a seven-speed S-Tronic sequential manual gearbox.

All Q5 models come with Audi's quattro four-wheel drive system as standard.

Prices for the Q5 are expected to start at £30,000 and sales will start in the UK towards the end of 2008.

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