Audi Q5: Nice preview

Thursday, November 08, 2007

The guys over at AudiWorld have a nice preview of the Audi Q5 with all you need to know, as of today.

Earlier in the year there were many reports of the Q5 being based on Audi's Roadjet Concept vehicle which was shown in Detroit in 2006. This is clearly incorrect, as the Roadjet was more of sneak peak at what an A5 spaceback / liftback might look like. The Roadjet also put Audi's new longitudinally installed engine on display, as well as a number of other techno items (7-speed DSG, car-to-car communications, LED lighting, etc).

More correctly, the Q5 will be based on the same modular platform as the recent A5/S5 and the B8 A4. With the engine running north-south and the transmission further behind the axle the Q5 will get the benefit of improved handling (more of a new A4-like drive) and a much less intrusive powertrain in the interior. Recall the design of the Q7 which includes a significant powertrain hump which protrudes into the driving area; with Audi's new MLP (Modular Longitudinal Platform) that hump will be eliminated in the Q5.