The new generation of luxury crossover SUVs might debut soon. Spy photos of the new vehicle are already out. The company is testing a new model, believed to be the 2023 Audi Q5. Besides that, the crossover is getting another drivetrain. The Q5 goes all-electric, with the E-Tron concept underpinning the upcoming EV. That is more than enough to start the third generation of the model that made a breakthrough in the new market.
Audi is now sharing a lot of things with Porsche, which delivers even upscale SUVs. Its Macan is one of the most luxurious compact crossovers in the market. Experts are thrilled with its high-performance editions. The most recent news is mentioning an electric powertrain for the new edition. Not too long after that, we can hear speculations about the 2023 Audi Q5 going the same way.
Spy photos are showing test mules. It seems the crossover is going to be slightly shorter than before. On the other hand, the standard edition and the E-Tron are not going to share the same platform. The EV needs a special architecture and an electric battery will be under the body. There are a lot of pros and cons, but the overall look might be very similar.
2023 Audi Q5 Specs and Upgrades
The base engine for the 2023 Audi Q5 remains a 2.0-liter turbo-four. The carmaker is not giving up on the powerplant that serves even on larger vehicles. Plus, it is very reliable, durable, and efficient. So, no need for more. This four-banger is ready to crunch out 261 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque. Engineers might boost outputs a bit. Do not expect more than 10 ponies above the current level. Lighter body parts will decrease overall weight, leading to better gas mileage. The compact luxury SUV is going to return 26-27 mpg combined. It does not have such great gas mileage but have in mind the Quattro AWD system is standard. A seven-speed DCT distributes power.
Before the E-Tron steps into the market, the Q5 already offers a hybrid setup. The same 2.0-l turbo engine gets support from an electric motor to gain 362 hp total. Additionally, the torque is also being enhanced to 370 lb-ft, while the gas mileage could hit 30 mpg. The most powerful configuration is the SQ5. It will come back with the third generation. Instead of a four-pot, the compact SUV is going to use a V6. Well, the six-cylinder can offer the same amount of twisting power as the hybrid, while the V6 can also make 350 hp. The price is going to be paid with increased fuel consumption since the SQ5 can do barely better than 20 mpg.
2023 Audi Q5 E-Tron
The hottest topic about the upcoming vehicle is the 2023 Audi Q5 E-Tron. This concept debuted in 2018 and it took a while until the German manufacturer decided to start the production of the EV. Well, we must have in mind that the COVID-19 pandemic made things pretty difficult in 2020 and 2021. But, Audi wants to make a statement. The Q5 E-Tron is going to fight against BMW iNext and Mercedes EQ concepts.
While during the past few years, the 2023 Audi Q5 E-Tron was just a rumor, now it is obvious the company is heading into production. Spy photos will confirm that. With so much time left until the production starts, we can’t give precise numbers for the range, recharge time, and price. Experts believe that the battery will be good for at least 250 miles for a single run. Recharging technology is always improving, so it will take less time for the Q5 to restore the battery than today’s vehicles are spending. Quick recharge will allow you to cover 100-150 miles after a quick plug in the station.
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Interior, Release Date, Pricing
The redesign of the 2023 Audi Q5 brings a lot of novelties. Test mules seem to be smaller than the current edition. However, we still don’t know if the E-Tron is going to be shorter, or also the standard version. Anyway, that will mean less space inside. The interior is luxurious and offers a lot of advanced features. The new Q5 is not going to disappoint fans and enthusiasts. Even more, options are coming. Wireless charging, navigation, and even autonomous driving are some of the high-end options for most upcoming Audi vehicles.
The compact SUV is not going to be available before the second quarter of 2022. However, the redesigned Q5 is rescheduled for 2024. The good thing is that prototypes are being tested, which means the development is in the advanced phases.
For now, the only confirmed EV for the SUV lineup is Q4. Audi might shift to a better-known nameplate to have a kickstart. The base price of the standard edition should stay put, around $45,000, while you need to add about $7,000 for a hybrid drivetrain. The price of the SQ5 will depend on the options a buyer picks. It can easily go over $70k. Speaking about the 2023 Audi Q5 E-Tron, its price is not going to be under $60,000.
Source: Audi World Forums