If the turbocharged Audi Q5 doesn’t quite do it for you, look for its supercharged SQ5 sibling to adorn dealer showrooms in the late summer of 2013. Sporting 5-passenger seating, a sport-tuned suspension, 57.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, a supercharged V6 powerplant and all the traditional bells and whistles of its Q5 kinfolk in both an SQ5 3.0T Quattro Premium Plus trim and an SQ5 3.0T Quattro Prestige edition, this compact crossover should significantly outperform every other downsized quasi-ute out there. Alas and needless to say, however, be prepared for a rather hefty MSRP.
Anyhow, after running the roadways in Europe for a few years now, this high-performance edition of the Q5 reaches U.S. shores with a tad fewer ponies than foreign-based editions, but it's certainly more potent than the current touring-oriented variant that’s been around these parts since ’09. Thus the SQ5 trims are expected to sport an up-powered 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine, mate it with the standard 8-speed shiftable automatic transmission and thereby put out an impressive 354 hp and 347 lb-ft of torque. Towing is likely to be maxed out at some 4,400 pounds with the proper equipment, but mileage figures are as yet unavailable. Additionally, in the traditional Audi mold, this hopped-up Quattro comes with full-time all-wheel drive (AWD) standard.
It’s also expected that the 2014 SQ5 3.0T Quattro Premium Plus and its Prestige sibling will be equipped similarly to their older Q5 sisters. There are, however, enough styling differences in the grille, fender design and drive height, not to mention the unique badges and appliqués, to differentiate this Q from its lesser brethren.
In any case, look for standard 20-inch alloy wheels, a power liftgate, a power sunroof, heated power-adjustable mirrors and a roof rack to adorn the distinctive profile, while the cabin will likely flaunt leather upholstery, heated power-adjustable sport front seats, reclining rear seats and full power accessories. Cruise control will doubtless be included, as will telescoping tilt-wheel steering, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror and a remote garage door opener.
Additionally, standard tri-zone auto climate control should cool down the performance-oriented SQ5, while entertainment is expected to include a 180-watt audio system, 10 speakers, satellite radio and a memory card slot. And, of course, all of this, including Bluetooth hands-free communications, will likely be interfaced via Audi’s MMI infotainment technology.
The up-featured SQ5 3.0T Quattro Prestige will stock upgraded leather upholstery, a 14-speaker Bang & Olufsen premium sound system, Audi Side Assist, a rear-view camera and a navigation system flaunting a 7-inch color display.
And yes, Virginia, there are a number of options and packages expected to be available to this careening crossover. The available Driver Assist Package, sporting adaptive cruise control, dynamic steering and Audi’s touted Drive Select program that allows altered throttle, shifting and steering response, is also scheduled to be available to the SQ5 and should boast an even sportier driving experience.
Meanwhile, standalone options will likely include upsized and upgraded alloy wheels, the updated MMI navigation system, Nappa leather upholstery and rear-seat DVD entertainment.
Standard safety features, finally, are expected to include 4-wheel antilock brakes (ABS), traction and stability control, front side-mounted airbags, and front and rear head airbags. Additionally, look for xenon high-intensity-discharge (HID) headlights to be delivered with the brand new (for us) SQ5, as well as turn-signal-integrated mirrors, front fog/driving lights, daytime running lights, a post-collision safety system and a remote antitheft alarm. An expected safety option, meanwhile, is a set of rear side-mounted thorax airbags.
the dealer is replacing the engine under the warranty. I'm concerned about resale value when i go to trade or sell this car in the near future.
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Automatic climate control rear air conditioning · Single rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bang & Olufsen · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 14 · 505 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 15.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.0 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: front center · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: cooled · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Storage: door pockets · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.08
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: silver-painted · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Window trim: silver
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Audi MMI Connect · Infotainment screen size: 7 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12
Rear Seats
Type: 40-20-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: one-touch open/close · Roof rack color: chrome
Safety
Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Impact sensor: post-collision safety system
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: leather · Upholstery accents: faux suede
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.9
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Navigation system: hard drive navigation system · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Automatic climate control rear air conditioning · Single rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Memory card slot auxiliary audio input · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 1 subwoofer · Surround audio: 5.1 · Total Number of Speakers: 10 · 180 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 15.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.0 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage and pass-thru · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: alloy · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.08
Exterior Features
Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · Mirror color: silver-painted · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: power operated · Window trim: silver
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment screen size: 6.5 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: lamp failure
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Headlights: wiper activated · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12
Rear Seats
Type: 40-20-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: power panoramic · Roof rack color: chrome
Safety
Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Impact sensor: door unlock
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: leather · Upholstery accents: faux suede
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Steering
Steering ratio: 15.9
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lateral links · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: strut · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: summer performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 5
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: with washer