Audi is gearing up to reveal a new generation of its popular Q5 mid-sized luxury SUV.
The German automaker has been spied winter testing a camouflaged prototype for the first time at the same location an all-electric RS Q6 e-tron prototype was also recently spied.
This new generation of Audi Q5 might be the last to feature petrol and diesel engines, with the company planning to cease the sales of cars with internal combustion engines outside of China by 2033.
A reveal for this new-generation Audi Q5 isn’t expected to happen until 2023. A Sportback ‘coupe SUV’ version is also expected at some point.
Under the bonnet, 48V mild-hybrid systems will most likely be standard on both petrol and diesel powertrains, and a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant is also expected.
It’s understood this next-generation Q5 will use an updated version of the exisiting version of the MLB Evo platform, like the next-generation Audi A4 which was previously spied.
Looking at the spy photos, this Q5 prototype has a similar SUV silhouette as the exisiting model but appears to have a slightly longer wheelbase. This could translate to more passenger and cargo space.
There’s a redesigned front fascia with two separate central air intakes, as well as smaller, vertical side air intakes flanking them. The headlights appear to be production-ready LED units.
Around the side there isn’t much to note besides the use of camouflage on the rear windows which hides what the interior will look like.
Down back, there are discreet dual exhaust outlets. The rear of this prototype is completely covered in black-and-white camouflage and there are fake prototype tail lights.
The current-generation Audi Q5 has been on sale locally since 2017 and it received a refresh in 2021.
The coupe SUV Sportback version of the Q5 and SQ5 joined the local range in August 2021.
There’s a range of turbocharged petrol and diesel powertrains available locally. Audi Australia is still evaluating 50 TFSI e and 55 TFSI e PHEV variants of the Q5 and Q5 Sportback.
To the end of February 2022, Audi sold a total 764 Q5 models which technically makes it the top-selling mid-sized luxury SUV.
If you add the Mercedes-Benz GLC wagon (554 sales) and GLC coupe (244 sales) though this just edges the Q5 out of the top spot though.
The Q5 outsold the likes of the BMW X3 (677 sales), Lexus NX (580 sales), Volvo XC60 (573 sales), and the Porsche Macan (451 sales).
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MORE: Everything Audi Q5
