Some years back, the Germans were fighting to fool themselves by calling the four door coupe, but it did indeed set the trend that descend right to these days when we have been served by Mercedes CLS, Audi A7 and BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe. This year, BMW kicks up a new trend in unleashing the sport diesel through its M Performance branch. We've seen the tri-turbo application in the likes of M550d, as well as in the X5 and X6 crossovers. Audi is set to follow the trend. Enter the SQ5 TDI.
Audi "S" badge is usually reserved for the high-performance version of the range, namely S3, S4, S5 and so forth, and they slot just under the "RS" creatures like the RS4. So the first high performance version of the Q5 SUV is this, powered by twin-turbocharged 3.0L kicking out 313PS and even mightier 650Nm of torque between a lowly 1,450rpm to 2,800rpm. Channelling the drive to all four wheels via 8 speed automatic gearbox, SQ5 can sprint to the milestone 100 km/h in 5.1s and can reach 250 km/h top speed.
To justify its positioning as the "S" model, Audi has upgraded the Q5 chassis hardware including the sports suspension that lowered the ride-height by some 30mm. The electromechanical power steering has been retuned too in order to inject that last bite of added responsiveness. Audi dynamic steering system is also available, as optional.
Exterior outlook has been spiced up with new bumper design, platinum-gray front grille surround, aluminium plated finish for the air intake bars, window surround and side mirrors. The stance has been been made beefier by the fitment of 20" alloy wrapped in 255/45 tyres. As if the tyre and rim combo is not big enough, the 21" rim is available as an accessories.
The interior has been adorned with sport seat upholstered with Pearl Nappa leather and Alcantra, brushed aluminium trim for the dashboard, door trim and console, re-styled meter binnacle and S-spec steering wheel and gearknob. All of these are an additional to what already is an exquisite Audi interior finishing.
Despite the storming performance of the twin-turbocharged diesel engine, Audi SQ5 TDI returned 7.2 L/100km in European test cycle. One more things, to eliminate the agricultural sound the diesel, Audi has added a sound actuator to pump the exhaust noise into the cabin using a special sound system. Audi SQ5 TDI is set to enter the European fray in the first quarter of 2013 with a price tag of around 58,500 Euros.
More juicy photos of Audi SQ5 TDI can be found after the jump. Take a close look, especially the interior, MMN reckoned this is how the interior should be designed. Regardless of how cheap the car is, please draw some inspiration from these. Enjoy after the jump.
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