high on the highway: The Audi Q5’s optional drive select system is suitable for a comfortable ride on Indian roads

SUVs and size go hand-in-hand. It’s part of their appeal, the big, macho, go-anywhere thing. But small SUVs work too. The Audi Q5 is for those who believe that size isn’t everything.

There are two big things in favour of the not-so-massive Audi Q5. One is its compact dimensions, which suits Indian conditions. Two, Audi is a heavily aspirational brand, more so its SUVs. So, when the Q5 hits Indian shores in March 2009, it gets off on the right foot. It is desirable and is the right size. The question is: should you wait, or should you just spend a lot more and go for that king-size Q7 you’ve always wanted? A short drive in Spain revealed a lot of things about Audi’s new baby SUV.

STYLE FILE

Valencia is hot this time of the year, but the roads are good and we have scenic routes to drive on. The Q5 looks nicely proportioned. At almost half-a-metre shorter than the Q7, and 290mm narrower, you can imagine how easy it is to park. It loses some of the Q7’s bulbous looks and gets a tauter, handsome design. Unmistakably an Audi, it’s easy to imagine the A4 morphing into the Q5. The gaping grille, LEDs that run in the daytime, narrow headlamps and pronounced waistline are all there.

UNDER THE HOOD

When it debuts in Europe later this year, the Q5 will have three engine options — a 211bhp 2.0-litre turbo-petrol, a 170bhp 2.0-litre turbo-diesel and a range-topping 240bhp 3.0-litre turbo-diesel. India will get only the 2.0 turbo-petrol and the 3.0 turbo-diesel, both mated to the seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox (the first time this gearbox has been fitted to a longitudinal engine).

INSIDE STORY

Climb into the Q5 and if you’ve been in any current Audi product, you’ll find this is very much an Audi cabin. It has the same smart, subtle style and quality.

What will surprise you, however, is the space in here. The Q5’s longish 2.8-metre wheelbase, a result of clever packaging of the engine, transmission and front suspension that lets the front axle be pushed far forward, helps make a lot of room for the passenger cabin. Move the driver’s seat about, get comfy, and you’ll find a position that gives you a good view of the road ahead. There’s even a manually-extendable bit on the seat base to improve thigh support.

DRIVER’S DEAL

Use the keyless system to start the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel and there’s a muted growl from under the hood. And this is one of the nicest things about this Audi. Engine noise is well suppressed most of the time. It’s the same engine as in the Q7, which is a whopping 460kg heavier. This Q5 is quick. Cruising at 120kph is easy, the engine turning over at a lazy 1800rpm.

It’s silent inside the cabin, the odd bump despatched with a muted thud from the suspension. The only noise at these speeds is from the 235/60 R18 tyres and a bit of wind noise from the big mirrors cutting a hole through the air.

This Q5 has Audi’s optional drive select system. The comfort setting gave the Q5 a hint of floatiness on undulating, smooth roads. No doubt, it will work best on Indian roads. In the dynamic mode, the Q5 tightened its body movements and on these 18-in, 60-profile tyres, ride comfort was still impressive.

Grip is good too, as is body control. It’s only the steering, with its curious mix of weight (usually too light, and switching to heavy quite quickly off-centre) that really spoils the fun. It is accurate though, allowing you to place it where you want to go.

The A5 is a decent off-roader too. There’s no low-range gearbox, but it does have the ability to climb a 31-degree slope, has approach and departure angles of 25 degrees and can wade through water that is 500mm deep. The standard ESP and ABS systems have special maps for off-roading and there’s even a hill-descent feature.

FINAL VERDICT

The Q5 is impressively specced. There’s a reverse camera, keyless entry and go, tyre pressure monitoring system, a panoramic sunroof, climate-control, a cornering light system and air con vents for the rear passengers. If you order the MMI navigation plus system, you get a 40GB hard drive, DVD player and iPod connectivity, along with an SD card-reader and a USB slot as well as a superb Bang & Olufsen sound system.

All this is expected to come at a not-so-substantial price of about 10 per cent-15 per cent more than the A4. At this price, it undercuts its only other rival in India, the BMW X3, by a substantial margin. It looks like big things are in store for the Q5 in India.

spec check

AUDI Q5 3.0 TDI

Price: Rs 40 lakh (est)*

Length/ Width / Height: 4629/1880/1653mm

Wheelbase: 2807mm

Turning circle: 11.6m

Kerb weight: 1865kg

Engine: V6, 2976cc,common-rail direct injection, turbo-diesel

Installation: Front, longitudinal all-wheel drive

Power: 240bhp at 4000-4400rpm

Torque: 50.9kgm at 1500-3000rpm

Suspension(F/R): Independent, five-link/ Independent, trapezoidal link

Gearbox: 7-speed DSG Fuel tank 75 litres

Brakes (F/R): Ventilated discs/Ventilated discs

Tyre size: 235/60 R18