New model’s sleeker shape a respectful refinement.

RESPECT for the character of the original Audi Q5 drove the impending new type’s development, according to the man leading the design.

Removing the baby fat was also clearly in mind.

Ingolstadt has just shown off the sleeker, sportier version of the new Q5 SUV, as before called the Q5 Sportback (and SQ5 in its more performance-themed presentation, mainly shown today), with all signs pointing it it reaching New Zealand some time after mid-2025.

Mechanically, both the Q5 Sportback and the regular Q5 are identical - they both use the same ‘PPC’ - Premium Platform Combustion - which is used by the recently introduced Audi A5.

As before, the Sportback delivers a rear end that’s dramatically sloped and tapered, compared to the taller, blockier SUV body of the standard Q5.

However, as reminiscent as it is of its predecessor, still on sale here, the new Sportback is nonetheless very different.

The man in charge of the new design, Juan Carlos Huerta Martinez, explained why at the car’s recent unveiling.

“It is really important, of course to respect the character of the Q5.

“In this sense I think we took the best of it, and we improved it in certain areas. We made the focus on refining the concept.

“So, we lifted the rear lights, and we made the shoulder of the car much more dominant.

“So, it has all the power of an SUV, but with a really dynamic rear, that flows towards the back, and it brings this extra dynamism to the car.”

Many of the slim and sharp-edged highlights of the new A5 also carry into the Q5, but with extra touches of character, such as the asymmetric aluminium trim on the grille for the sportiest version.

The interior touts a conjoined set of two big digital displays - an 11.9-inch driver’s instrument panel, and a 14.5-inch infotainment touchscreen. Audi calls this the car’s ‘Digital Stage,’ and the system includes an Audi Store through which third-party apps such as Spotify and YouTube can be downloaded.

In terms of practicality, the Sportback doesn’t suffer too badly in comparison to the new Q5, with a 515-litre boot up to the luggage cover, reducing to 470 litres with the SQ5, expanding to 1415 litres with the back seats folded. It can tow up to 2400kg of braked trailer.

Engines for Europe span a 152kW 2.0-litre TFSI petrol, which comes with front-wheel drive as standard and an optional quattro four-wheel-drive; a 2.0-litre TDI diesel, also 152kW, which is quattro only and, for the SQ5, a 273kW turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 TFSI. It’s also purely all-paw.

These engines drive through a seven-speed, dual-clutch S tronic gearbox as standard, and all are mild-hybrids, using a powertrain generator motor, which develops up to 230Nm of torque and 18kW of power. The 48-volt electrical system is powered by a 1.7kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery.

The system enables air conditioning and heating to keep running when the engine is switched off, as well as allowing ‘sailing’ with the engine off for short bursts at higher speeds.

The hybrid system is strong enough to facilitate low-speed manoeuvres, such as parking, under battery power alone.

Two plug-in hybrid versions of the Q5 Sportback on also coming out, with a choice of 223kW or 273kW and a potential range of up to 80km on one full charge of the hybrid battery. They are also quattro cars.