354bhp Audi SQ5 is a family crossover with a performance twist

Audi showed off the new SQ5 at the 2017 Detroit Motor Show. The sportiest member of the Q5 range gets a turbocharged, 3-litre TFSI engine and a super quick gearbox to keep up with entry-level Porsche 911s and a few other sports cars. 

The 2,995cc, V6 motor makes 354bhp and delivers 500Nm of torque from 1,370 to 4,500rpm. It allows the car to sprint from zero to 100kmph in just 5.4 seconds. The V6 TFSI engine weighs 172 kilograms and thus 14 kilograms less than the previous supercharged engine.

As one would expect in a fast Audi, the engine is paired to the brand’s popular 8-speed tiptronic gearbox. The lower gears feature short ratios, while the upper gears are long to reduce revs and fuel consumption. The SQ5 also gets quattro all-wheel drive as standard.  

In Germany, the SQ5 comes with a comprehensive list of standard equipment, including 20-inch, cast aluminium wheels, LED headlights and S-specific damper control. Also included are sport seats in Alcantara/leather and a three-spoke, multifunction steering wheel. 

The Audi SQ5 3.0 TFSI will be available for sale in Germany from mid-2017. It is produced in Audi’s new factory in Mexico.