The engine now produces more power and torque as compared to the older model. On our deserted test roads, we unleashed its 190 horses and the improvement was instantly evident. The lightweight platform and tuned motor make it gather speed as quickly as most sedans; its brisk performance will make you forget that you’re in a two-tonne SUV. It clearly benefits from the quattro all-wheel-drive system also, which improves traction and helps put the power down expeditiously. Our test runs prove that from 0-60 km/h it even manages to edge ahead of the A4, and lags behind only by a fraction to cross the 100-km/h mark in 9.1 seconds.
It takes just 2.8 seconds to go from 40 km/h to 80 km/h, which says a lot about its potent mid-range. Since the 400 Nm of peak torque is available right from 1,750 rpm, you’ll never have to be worried much about your overtaking manoeuvres — step on the gas, and the torque, in tandem with the dual-clutch transmission, ensure that the Q5 is kept apace. The tall seventh gear is perfect for highway cruising, as the engine remains free from strain and saves fuel. Even while cruising, one can hardly hear the engine from within the cabin which perfectly suits the luxurious character of this Audi.
You also get five driving modes: Comfort, Dynamic, Auto, Individual, and now even a dedicated Off-road setting. Comfort softens the adaptive suspension and mellows the throttle response. Using this in the city highlighted the improved ride quality. At low speeds it soaks in road undulations effortlessly and keeps passengers in utmost comfort. And though the temperament of the SUV becomes more relaxed, its performance remains fast enough for a city commute.
However, softer damping translates into a fair amount of body-roll, so you’ll have to shift to Dynamic mode on the highway. This makes the suspension and steering go tauter, which flattens the ride and aids the car’s agility. Now you can go faster round corners more accurately and change directions without wallowing. The steering feel has improved, too, though in Comfort it still feels light. In Dynamic there’s more weight added to it and there’s decent feedback which make the drive experience more engaging.
