Luxury Audi crossover loaded with tech is worthy of its huge price tag
I LOVE the Audi SQ5, which has been redesigned for 2018 and will cost nearly US$66,000 (RM277,000) fully optioned.
It is a vehicle with tangibly upgraded and useful technology.
It has a new turbocharged 3.0-litre petrol V-6 engine that delivers 354 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque.
Horsepower approximately remains the same as previous SQ5 models, but torque, engine twisting power, the real work of the engine, has been improved.
The movement is quick, smooth.
Handling is excellent. I live in a wonderfully twisty and undulating section of northern Virginia. The new SQ5 seems engineered to fit the topography.
Long highway drives in this one are a delight. You, of course, are responsible for paying attention to the road and surrounding traffic. But the new SQ5, with Prestige and S-Sport trim packages, offers “driver assistance” items that reduce the stress of motoring in long-distance, high-speed traffic and moving through urban congestion.
The Sport package comes with an adaptive air suspension that delivers a smooth ride on well-paved or chronically pockmarked surfaces. Coupled with the new V-6 engine and allnew chassis, driving feels like flying in this one.
A virtual driver’s cockpit that digitally displays vehicle speed; blind-side monitoring and a top view camera system; dualpane acoustic glass for front and side windows that support the soundproofing of a whisper-quiet interior; full-colour head-up display and a 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3-D sound system are all part of the Prestige package in the new SQ5.
The SQ5’s seats - affixed with diamond-stitched, Nappa leather covering - are supremely comfortable.
Ride, acceleration and handling: It is fast, about 0 to 60 miles per hour (96 kph) in 5.8 seconds. —Washington Post.