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The Audi Q5 is a compact crossover SUV which was released by German automaker Audi for the 2009 model year. [1] It is built using the new Audi MLP platform (Modular Longitudinal Platform) which debuted in the 2007 Audi A5 coupé. The Q5 is be the second Audi model in the "Q" range, after the full-size Q7. The Q5 shots above the future Q3, which will be based on the Volkswagen Tiguan.
The Q5 will eventually be offered with multiple engine configurations, including petrol engines, Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engines, and Hybrid gasoline/electric. Audi's new 7-speed S-Tronic branded DSG transmission technology will also be available in the Q5.
The new vehicle will be built in Audi's home town of Ingolstadt. It will need an investment of about US$400 million in production tooling and expansion.[citation needed] The Q5 will also be produced in Changchun, China for the Chinese market. The first public introduction of the Audi Q5 was at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show on 19 April 2008, although a convertible concept car named "Audi Cross Cabriolet quattro" was shown at the 2007 Greater Los Angeles Auto Show.
Powertrain options include a base 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, a 3.2L variable valve lift gasoline V6 engine, a 2.0L I4 and a 3.0L V6 TDI diesel, as well as a hybrid petrol/electric version for future model years. The only planned powertrain available for the U.S. market as confirmed by Audi USA on July 9, 2008 will be a 3.2L 6 cylinder gasoline engine mated to Audi's 6-speed tiptronic automatic transmission driving Audi's quattro permanent four-wheel drive system. Any future powertrain options for the USA market have not been announced.
The Q5 will be available in several different trim options. The S-Line trim option upgrades the base Q5 exterior with more aggressive body mouldings and mesh front fog light grills. More paint options are also included with the S-Line. The Offroad exterior package includes front and rear underbody protection panels, along with flared fender and door sill protection for a more capable look.
Harmon/Becker Automotive Systems will produce Audi's new updated Multi Media Interface (MMI) technology as it debuts in the Q5. The new system will offer navigation, communication, and wide-screen entertainment. An embedded Nvidia graphics processor based on a stable previous generation GPU core will be used in the new MMI system, and will generate smooth map transitions while driving. A three-dimensional orientation view with true-to-scale terrain and photorealistic depictions of key landmarks will also be generated. Included features in this new system are USB storage media (iPod or MP3), satellite radio, and an integral four-band GSM mobile/cell phone (SIM card ready) with Bluetooth connectivity.
Estimated delivery dates to dealers are October 2008 for Europe, and the first quarter of 2009 in North America. Hot weather testing for the US model is currently underway in Florida, California, and Arizona. Future powertrain options and other possible Q5 variants for the United States market have yet to be announced.