Audi delays launch of Q5 and hybrid and diesel Q7s until 2009

Posted Mon Sep 24 2007 12:06 AM by Viknesh Vijayenthiran

We won’t get to see the upcoming Q5 crossover in showrooms until 2009 at the earliest because of a decision by management to delay its arrival so the new crossover can be labeled a 2010 model. The same approach will be used for new hybrid and diesel variants of the larger Q7 SUV, which, along with the new Q5, were meant to go on sale in the third quarter of next year.

Audi hasn’t revealed the new Q5 yet either in concept or production guise but we know the new model will be based on VW’s Tiguan SUV and is targeted at BMW’s X3 and Mercedes’ upcoming GLK. The latest announcement comes from Audi’s U.S. Chief Johan de Nysschen, who spoke recently with Automotive News. Nysschen also revealed that the Detroit Auto Show in January of 2009 could be used to unveil the new cars.

The new diesel Q7, meanwhile, will arrive sporting a 3.0L turbodiesel V6 engine with 230hp and 400lb-ft of torque on tap. This new model will be the first Audi diesel to be sold in all 50 U.S. states and its powertrain could eventually filter across to the new Q5 as well as the A4, A6 and A8 models. It’s “just a matter of formality,” Nysschen explained.

As for the hybrid Q7, it will be powered by a 280hp petrol V6 mated to an electric motor that you can read about by clicking here. Pictured above is a rendering of the new Q5, which you can see more of in our previous story.

Reader Comments

Mon Sep 24 2007 4:13 AM
Foxfire says

Q5 based on the Tiguan? Really? I thought the earlier rumors put it as A5/A4 derivative based on the MLP platform, while the Q3 was the one to use a VW model as its base
Mon Sep 24 2007 4:25 AM
admin says

Audi is yet to reveal official details for the Q5. You're right about the Q3, however, it gets Golf/A3 underpinnings.
Mon Sep 24 2007 8:53 AM
Foxfire says

OK thanks, though if the Q5 does turn up to be based on the Tiguan, then it'll be a stretched Golf/A3 platform as well (PQ35).

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