Audi Q5 is coming

Well, now that Audi has announced that the Q5 is set to join the Audi Q7 as the brand’s second model in the sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment I am counting the days.  This new soft-roader is expected to arrive at US dealerships sometime in October and I will be one of the first to test drive this new crossover.   I have read that the Q5 is being promoted as a sporty alternative to its direct rivals the BMW X3 and the Mercedes’ upcoming GLK-Class.  The overtly sporty Q5 will add an important product to the Audi model range.  Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG believes that introduction of the Audi Q5 will take Audi a big step closer to reaching vehicle sales of 1.4 million per year, a target that thay hope to reach by 2015 The Q5 is Audi’s most serious attempt yet to erode BMW’s luxury car sales supremacy by attacking the heartland of BMW.  Executives from Audi are hoping that the Q5 will have the chance to match and even exceed X3 sales. As far as design goes, the Q5 sits on a platform featuring elements from the A4 and A6.  By using the existing platform, the Q5 so will be able to use the important V8 power plants which are essential for the US market.  To achieve this design, the engines in this SUV will be mounted lengthwise, not transversely. The Q5 will also feature the new seven-speed S-tronic which has been updated to work in conjunction with the latest generation Quattro four-wheel-drive systems.  It will offer drivers lightning fast, virtually seamless gear changes. With Audi’s Q7 proving to be too expensive for the North American market officials are keen to release the mid-level Q5 to help spur sales in the world’s biggest car market. The Q5 will be produced at Audi’s plant in Ingolstadt.  So far this seems to be the only information I have been able to officially gather.