2021 Audi SQ5 TDI with 341 PS & 700 NM torque!

Three-liter TDI with innovations

The V6 3.0 TDI has been revised in numerous details. The pistons are no longer made of aluminum, but of forged steel - the new material reduces heat loss. Due to their higher strength, they have no weight disadvantage compared to aluminum pistons. A stepped depression in the piston makes combustion more efficient and faster. The solenoid valve injectors for fuel injection work with consistently high precision, because a new piezo sensor monitors the closing of the needle. They can perform up to eight injections per work cycle, whereby the injection quantities can be scaled with even more precision. The maximum injection pressure is 2.500 bar. The charge air cooling was switched from an air-to-air cooler in the bumper to an indirect water-to-air cooler in the inside V of the engine. The shortened intake airways support a rapid build-up of the boost pressure.

indirect charge air cooler is more powerful

The indirect charge air cooler is more powerful and can even heat the intake air shortly after the engine has started under cold ambient conditions in order to reach the ideal combustion temperatures more quickly. With the advantage of a more responsive exhaust gas cleaning. A smaller and lighter compressor wheel now rotates in the turbocharger and revs up particularly quickly - an important factor in the engine's spontaneous and high torque build-up. The exhaust manifold received improved insulation. After a cold start, the exhaust gas reaches the optimum temperature more quickly with this measure.

MHEV and EAV: even more efficiency and spontaneity

The 3.0 TDI has two technologies that reduce fuel consumption and improve responsiveness. The 48-volt mild hybrid system (MHEV) integrates a belt starter generator (RSG), a lithium-ion battery as a buffer storage and a 48/12 volt voltage converter. When the car decelerates, the MHEV system recovers up to 8 kW of power. The sports SUV can coast for up to 40 seconds with the engine switched off - after which the powerful RSG starts the engine again comfortably. The MEHV system has the potential to reduce customer consumption by up to 0,7 liters per 100 kilometers.

The second technology module is the electrically driven compressor (EAV). It always supports the turbocharger when the exhaust gas does not provide enough energy for its drive. A compact e-machine, which also uses the compact 48-volt network, accelerates the compressor wheel of the EAV to 300 revolutions in around 65.000 milliseconds. The EPC is now used more frequently and in a larger engine map area. It thus supports a more spontaneous response behavior of the engine when starting and accelerating from low speeds. The optimized interaction of the components EAV, MHEV, turbocharger, engine itself and tiptronic transmission contribute to this effect.

Two SCR catalytic converters in interaction: exhaust aftertreatment

For exhaust aftertreatment, Audi relies on twin dosing technology, in which two SCR catalytic converters work together. The first of these is located directly behind the manifold in the exhaust system and also serves as a particle filter, while the second is located under the vehicle floor, away from the engine. Both catalysts complement each other in their effect because they cover different operating situations and exhaust gas temperature windows. The SCR catalytic converters are fed with the AdBlue urea solution from a 24 liter tank. Thanks to twin dosing technology, the SQ5 falls below the TDI²  the limits of the new emission standard "Euro 6d ISC-FCM AP", which result in a strong reduction in NO_X-Emissions also required in real driving tests on roads in everyday traffic.

Shifts quickly and conveniently: the eight-speed tiptronic

Power is transmitted via a fast and comfortable eight-speed tiptronic that has been matched to the modified engine in the gear change strategy. When the SQ5 TDI coasts with the engine switched off, a clutch in the central gearbox opens and interrupts the traction. During regular driving, the quattro permanent all-wheel drive distributes the torque in a 40:60 ratio between the front and rear axles. When slip occurs, the greater part of them reach the axle with the better traction - a maximum of 70 percent can flow forwards or 85 percent backwards. When cornering quickly, the wheel-selective torque control rounds off the handling with small brake interventions on the relieved wheels on the inside of the curve.

Sport differential: more moment, no understeer, greater dynamics

On request, Audi can supply the sport differential on the rear axle, which actively regulates the distribution of torque between the wheels when driving in a sporty manner. It allocates more torque to the wheel on the outside of the bend, which has better grip - this literally pushes the car into the bend and significantly reduces understeer. Even when accelerating out of tight radii, the wheel on the outside of the curve receives more torque in order to further increase the dynamics.

Superior precision: the chassis

The chassis of the Audi SQ5 TDI²  has easily grown to the performance of the powerful diesel drive. Five-link suspensions guide each of the four wheels. The S sport suspension with damper control lowers the body by 5 millimeters compared to the Q30 and impresses with a particularly wide spread between comfort and dynamism.

Together with the optional sport differential, the engine, the steering and the tiptronic, the regulated dampers are integrated into the standard Audi drive select dynamic handling system. With it, the driver can control the character of these systems in six profiles - auto, comfort, efficiency, dynamic, offroad, individual. A seventh “allroad” profile is added if the optional adaptive air suspension with S-specific tuning is on board - this air suspension adjusts the trim position of the body in five stages to the respective driving situation. Another option module is dynamic steering. It varies its steering ratio via a shaft gear depending on the speed and steering angle - direct-agile at low speed, indirect-relaxed on the motorway.

The renewed Audi SQ5 TDI comes off the production line on 20-inch aluminum wheels with size 255/45 tires; there are also 21-inch models from Audi or Audi Sport GmbH. Six-piston aluminum brake calipers and brake discs with a diameter of 375 millimeters are located on the front axle. The black or optionally red lacquered saddles have S logos.

New accents: the exterior design

The modified Audi SQ5 TDI stands out powerfully, striking details make its appearance look even more robust. Vertical braces structure the large side air inlets on the front bumper. In the octagonal S-specific single-frame grill, filigree bars connect large octagonal honeycombs with one another. Just like the clips on the air inlets, they are made of aluminum. Audi has LED headlights fitted as standard, with Matrix LED headlights with automatic high beam and dynamic flashing light available as an option. At the rear, a clasp in matt aluminum is integrated into the lower bumper, below which are the diffuser insert and four chrome-plated oval tailpipe trims. There is a choice of nine exterior colors, and the black styling package can add sporty highlights if required.

Latest lighting technology: digital OLED rear lights

Audi offers the new digital OLED technology for the rear lights of the Q5 top model. The OLED rear light is divided into three tiles with six segments each. When ordering, customers can choose one of three tail light signatures with specific coming and leaving home light scenarios. Another signature appears when the Audi drive select “dynamic” mode is activated. The OLED rear light also has the proximity detection function, in which all segments are activated as soon as a road user approaches the stationary SQ5 from behind within less than two meters. The dynamic turn signal rounds off the spectrum of digital OLED rear lights.

Sporty black and gray: the interior

The interior of the SQ5 TDI²  is in black or dark gray tones, the illuminated aluminum door sill trims have S logos. There is a choice of three covers for the electrically adjustable sports seats with the embossed S logos. The series is a leather / synthetic leather combination, a material mix of leather and Dinamica with S embossing is optionally available. The new microfiber material Dinamica consists largely of recycled plastic and replaces Alcantara. Another option variant is fine Nappa leather with diamond stitching in magma red. Contrasting stitching adorns the seats and the steering wheel, on request there is a massage function with 3 programs and seat ventilation. Brushed aluminum is standard for the inlays, the alternatives are carbon in two versions and piano lacquer.

In the “plus” version, the rear bench seat can be moved lengthways and the backrest angle can be adjusted. The basic size of the luggage compartment has a volume of 520 liters; after folding down the backrests, it is 1.520 liters. The electrically operated tailgate, a loading sill protection made of stainless steel and an aluminum roof rail are standard. The sports SUV can tow trailers weighing up to 2,4 tons (braked, on a 12 percent gradient).

Control system, infotainment and Audi connect

The 10,1-inch MMI touch display, a central element of the MIB 3 modular infotainment kit, serves as a combined input and display device in the middle of the dashboard. As additional operating levels there is a natural language control and the multifunction steering wheel. The 12,3 inch display has three different graphic layouts: dynamic, sport and classic. In addition, Audi can supply a head-up display on request.

If several drivers use the car, they can save their individual settings in up to six individual profiles. The car-to-X services from Audi connect can help to find free parking spaces at the roadside and can warn of dangers such as icy roads or fog on the route ahead. The myAudi app networks the car with the user's smartphone. The Audi phone box connects smartphones with the on-board antenna and can charge them inductively. The optional Bang & Olufsen Premium Sound System with 3D sound offers an extraordinary sound experience. The hybrid radio, which automatically switches between FM, DAB and online stream depending on the reception situation, provides you with your favorite stations wherever you have mobile data reception.

Comfortable and precise: the driver assistance systems

In the SQ5 TDI²  all assistance systems from the Q5 are used. The turning assistant, the avoidance assistant and the exit warning contribute to safety. The adaptive driver assistant can largely relieve the driver of accelerating, decelerating and keeping in lane over long distances. The predictive efficiency assistant supports them in anticipatory driving with the aim of reducing fuel consumption. The renewed Audi SQ5 TDI will be built at the Mexican plant in San José Chiapa and will be launched in Germany and other European countries in the first quarter of 2021. Its base price is 68.137,82 euros (in Germany, including 16 percent VAT).