Arriving as the Party Winds Down
Introduced on Wednesday: 2009 Audi Q5
Is it real? Yes, despite being at least four years behind competitors like the BMW X3, the Q5 is finally coming to America. Unfortunately now that it is almost here, what is missing is a compelling reason to spend over 40-large for one.
What they said: "The Q5 combines the dynamism of a sports sedan with highly variable interior and versatile options for leisure-time and family use. Strong and efficient engines, quattro permanent all-wheel drive and agile running gear have been brought together to create a superior technology package for both on- and off-road driving," the press materials explained.
What they didn't say: Well, they did say "strong and efficient engines" (plural), but that's what Europeans get; the United States will only see an engine (singular). Audi said it can't make a business case for bringing American customers the engines that could give this A4-based crossover up to 40-mile-a-gallon fuel economy.
What makes it tick? A 3.2-liter 6-cylinder engine with direct fuel injection, 270 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque gives the Q5 zero-to-60 acceleration of 6.7 seconds - but fuel economy of just 17 in town and 24 on the highway. More economical alternatives, including a turbocharged gas engine and a pair of turbodiesels, are still somewhere over the rainbow.
How much, how soon? About $39,000 to start, but options like the $3,000 Audi Drive Select handling package can drive the window sticker to dizzying heights. Latest best guess from Audi is an on-sale date of next April (subject to change, as it already has - multiple times).
How’s it look? Formal wear for the crossover crowd. Compared with its appearance-challenged peers like the X3, Infiniti EX35, Land Rover LR2 or Acura RDX, the Q5 looks freshly laundered, pressed and starched to a fine crease.
Source:http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/25/automobiles/autoshow/audi-q5.html
posted by Topsandseats.com at
9:51 PM
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