The Audi SQ5 TDI has officially gone on sale in Ireland priced from €74,350. The first ever diesel fuelled 'S' car packs a 3.0-litre V6 bi-turbo engine that produces 313hp and peak torque of 650Nm, yet can also return a very un-'S' like 41mpg (6.9 litres/100km).
With so much power it should come as no surprise that the SQ5 can crack 100km/h in just over five seconds and achieve a limited top speed of 250km/h. The diesel 'S' uses an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission and Audi's quattro all-wheel drive system. Thanks to standard stop-start and other measures the SQ5 TDI only emits 179g/km of CO2, equating to road tax of €570.
Differences over the standard Q5 model include sports suspension 30mm lower than the standard car, 20-inch alloy wheels, S-car specific styling both inside and out and exclusive colours like Estoril Blue and Panther Black. Standard equipment also includes a 180-watt Audi sound system accessed via a Concert radio with 6.5-inch colour monitor and MMI operating logic, a Bluetooth interface, cruise control, electric boot lid operation, heated seats , light and rain sensors and acoustic rear parking sensors.
The SQ5 TDI's introduction comes days after Audi Ireland announced Christian Gussen as its new managing director. Gussen arrives from Audi Italy to take over from Andrew Doyle who returns to his native Australia having headed Audi Ireland for two years.