Audi Q5 – Cross Coupé Quattro

Audi Q5 (Audi Cross Coupè Quattro) The compact performance SUV At the Shanghai Motor Show Audi is going to present a new car, which defines a new segment in the field of crossover vehicles. The Audi Cross Coupé quattro combines the design and dynamism of a compact premium sports car with the spaciousness and versatility of a four-seat sport utility vehicle (SUV). Innovative technical solutions show new ways of achieving efficiency, driving pleasure and comfort in a manner that is typical of Audi. The Audi Cross Coupé quattro: a car whose visual appearance clearly tells you what it is capable of and whose engineering matches this standard – on all roads, under all conditions. Design The silhouette is typical Audi; the design of the study, painted in Liquid Silver, is highly reminiscent of the sporty models produced by the Ingolstadt brand. The proportions and the large 20″ wheels point clearly towards the offroad potential of the Cross Coupé quattro. A new element is the fabric folding roof, which, when it is open, gives optimum levels of headroom and fresh air. The hood is opened and closed electrically. The design of the four-door study presents itself as a further step in the evolution of the current Audi style. The prominent single-frame radiator grille, the proportions, with large areas of metal and narrow glazing at the sides, and the powerful rear end identify the SUV as a relative of the Audi Q7. The robust-looking sill area with its colour offset and the heavily embossed dynamic line above it emphasise the vehicle’s offroad character. The study has a heavily segmented side area with gently climbing shoulder line and accentuated horizontal rear end. These elements are borrowed from the A5 coupé and are essential factors of this model’s independence. A typical Audi feature is the roof, gently curved and carried on the slim A and C pillars, evoking a coupé silhouette. Also typical of a coupé are the frameless doors with fully retracting windows. And the short overhangs also help to make the overall proportions appear so dynamic. For the first time, the Audi Cross Coupé quattro employs LED technology for both headlights and cornering lights. Here, the lens, reflector and beam deflector are integrated in a single component. LED technology is also used for the main-beam headlights. The body of the Audi Cross Coupé quattro makes optimum use of the compact road space of an A-class vehicle. With a length of 4.38 m, a width of 1.82 m and a wheelbase of 2.60 m, it is only slightly larger than the A3 Sportback. The study shares excellent economy of space with this model, not least thanks to the transversely installed engine. The height of 1.60 m (18 centimetres higher than the Sportback) is typical of an SUV and gives the occupants a comfortable, upright seating position. The interior All areas of the Audi Cross Coupé quattro interior offer top quality and solutions that are as elegant as they are ergonomically perfect. The pale basic colour, off white, generates an impression of quality and a feeling of spaciousness. In addition, clear contrasts between the different materials add to the visual and haptic surprises. For example, while all the leather surfaces are in the colour saddle brown, an appealing contrast is generated by the high-gloss and matt surfaces of the different types of leather. Seating is provided by individual seats in the front and a rear bench with two full-size seats. The complete seating system is upholstered in saddle brown leather. All four seats offer good side support and excellent long-distance comfort. In the upper section of the centre console, beside the instrument dials, under the dome-shaped hood behind the steering wheel, the retractable MMI display is optimally situated in the driver’s field of vision to provide driving information. A new element is the perforated trim strip in the dashboard, linking the centre console and the front-passenger area. The perforated surface marries form and function, for it allows the air-conditioning system to provide indirect, draught-free ventilation through more than 4,600 holes. The MMI terminal on the centre console is extremely neat. The central control element and the six hard keys are the simplest way imaginable to operate the vehicle and infotainment functions. The drivetrain The Cross Coupé quattro is powered by an all-new 2.0 TDI diesel engine, the first example of the new generation of four-cylinder TDI engines in the Volkswagen/Audi Group. This 150 kW (204 bhp) power plant marries distinctly sporty characteristics – peak torque is 400 Nm between 2,000 and 3,500 rpm – with a high level of refinement and an impressive degree of economy and efficiency. The compact yet powerful sports car needs just 5.9 litres of diesel for 100 km. The fuel/air mixture is prepared by a common-rail system of the latest generation, which is also employed by Audi in the V6 TDI engines. It has a high-pressure pump and common manifold (rail) for each of the four cylinders. The maximum injection pressure is 2,000 bar. More innovative technology on board reduces overall emission even further. For example, the new engine is not only combined with a diesel particulate filter, but also employs the Bluetec injection system to reduce nitric oxides effectively. With such extremely clean Bluetec diesel engines, Audi is continuing its tradition of leading from the front in matters of diesel engine technology. This equipment enables the Audi Cross Coupé quattro even today to meet the most stringent regulations currently known, the Euro 6 standard and the strict US emissions legislation. The quattro permanent four-wheel drive system provides for power transmission – what else would you expect from an Audi with a powerful engine and offroad qualities? An electronically controlled viscous clutch provides variable power distribution between the front and rear wheels, just as it does on the Audi A3 quattro and the Audi TT. The running gear The second pillar on which the excellent driving dynamics are built is the elaborate running gear, with McPherson-strut front axle and four-link independent-suspension rear axle. Large 20″ wheels with size 245/45 R20 tyres also contribute to driving fun and safety. The dynamic suspension is designed to give sporty, agile handling and a high degree of stability while making cornering distinctly fun. As an additional quality, the running gear impresses with a driving comfort that would satisfy the standards expected in higher vehicle classes. The capability of the engine is matched by the potential of the brake system with its large-diameter discs. The electromechanical steering system with speed-dependent power steering provides for superlative handling. It combines optimum steering feel with low sensitivity to agitation from the road surface and significantly reduced power consumption. It only takes a glance to see the ceramic discs against the anthracite grey paint of the special aluminium callipers. The advantage of ceramic brakes over steel discs is the weight saving of some 20 kg, which improves drivability and comfort. The high level of resistance to abrasion allows a service life of up to 300,000 km. However, its most important strength is its lack of sensitivity to extreme loads. Audi Drive Select Only a small minority of motorists can afford the luxury of having three cars in their garage, one each for their changing needs: comfort, agility or dynamic driving. There is however a single car which satisfies all three of these: the Audi Cross Coupé quattro. Audi drive select makes it possible to preselect three highly individual configurations for the engine, gearbox and the magnetic ride shock absorbers. The result: a car that can be enjoyed in three completely different ways and that offers a huge potential in the field of efficiency. The basic setting is “dynamic” mode. This is automatically activated every time the engine is started and generally meets the expectations that Audi drivers have of their car with respect to the dynamic yet comfortable driving feel that is typical of the brand. “Sport” mode on the other hand gives the Cross Coupé an emphatically sporty feel. The shock absorbers have a firmer setting, the engine responds more spontaneously and the S tronic gearbox moves its shift points to a higher rpm range. Ideal conditions for active driving pleasure on winding roads. Then again, if the driver selects “efficiency” mode on the MMI, the engine and S tronic gearbox respond more gently to commands from the accelerator pedal and shift paddles. This setting is perfectly suited to relaxed driving and at the same time opens up huge potential for effectively reducing fuel consumption and thus emissions.