Audi Q5 to Hit

With the success of its various models in India, Audi is entirely prepared for the launch of its latest model Audi Q5 in India. The Audi Q5 is a Crossover Utility Vehicle, and will be launched in the first week of June 2009. This launch is expected to usher in more competition for the major contenders in the market. Unveiled at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show, the Audi Q5 is expected to be globally launched by the year end. The Audi Q5 has sporty looks as it is just 1.65 meters (5.41 feet) tall. Additionally, it is 4.63 meters (15.19 feet) long and 1.88 meters (6.17 feet) wide. With a low drag coefficient of 0.33, it lays down another benchmark in its class.


The car industry has also witnessed BMW unseat Mercedes to take the top position in the market. Audi intends to take the competition to a new level by competing head on with these two rivals. The Audi Q5 is a direct competitor of the BMW X3 in India. Expected to be cheaper by a few lakhs to compete with this model, it is expected to draw away customers from luxury saloons like the Mercedes E-Class and the BMW 5-Series.

Audi Q5 is slated for launch on June 4th in Mumbai, Maharashtra and the base model will be priced at Rs. 37.5 lakh. The top end model will cost up to Rs. 45 lakh that will come loaded with extra options. The car features extra styling at the rear, taking cues from the Audi Q7, which has emerged as a popular option with buyers and designers. Audi expects big volume orders from emerging markets such as China, India, and Russia. Deliveries will initiate in Europe and will initially ship as Completely Built Units (CBU's), though the company could begin assembling the Audi Q5 in the country later.

The Audi Q5 is expected to have three engine options for its European debut – 170 BHP 2.0L turbo diesel, and a top of the range 240 BHP 3.0 turbo diesel. Of these engines, the Audi Q5 destined for India will feature the 2.0 turbo petrol and 3.0 turbo diesel engines. These will be mated to a seven speed dual clutch gearbox. Audi has committed an investment of 30 million Euros in India till 2015.

The Audi Q5 for India will be a 5 seater, targeting a customer segment lower than that for the Audi Q7. According to company officials, Audi Q5 is slightly different from the international version as it is designed in view of the present infrastructure in India. Like other Audi models, the Q5 focuses more on emotion than rationality. The present Audi Q5 reflects the style, luxuriance, and sportiness of the Q5 series. Presently, the company will launch only 2 models of the Q5 in the country, which will be exported as CBUs from the company's Ingolstadt manufacturing facility. The company has plans to launch the Audi Q5 globally by the end of the present year.