MIMS 2009 – Audi

Audi’s presentation was easily the best on offer during the media day at the Melbourne International Motor Show. Managing Director Joerg Hofmann’s banter with newsreader Sandra Sully was just on the right side of smooth. If they pushed it a bit further it would have been twee and over the top, but, they saved it. Just.

While the RS6 Sedan was on display, and the R8, of course, along with all the other nice shiny models that Audi makes, it was the all-new Q5 that was the star of the show. Well, except for Kate Ceberano who still has a great voice. Oh, and Jennifer Hawkins, too, whose piercing blue eyes certainly attracted the attention of the media throng.

So, anyway, back to the Q5. Audi’s smallest SUV and close to the best looking SUV on the market (especially when fitted with the S line body kit), regardless of segment, will be in Audi showrooms nationwide from next weekend. Pricing starts at $59,900.

See more on Audi’s display below, along with more pics of the Q5 and Jennifer Hawkins!

The full media presentation has been captured in MP3 format and can be accessed below. This is a bit longer than the other clips presented from the show to date. The audio includes Kate Ceberano’s jingle and runs for a touch over 11 and a half minutes.

[audio:http://www.ausmotive.com/audio/MIMS09-Audi.mp3]

Audi Q5 Makes Australian Premiere

• Audi Q5 on display for the first time in Australia at Melbourne International Motor Show
• Competitive pricing with two engines below $60,000
• Choice of 4 direct injection engines with innovative new options

Audi’s brand new Q5 compact SUV will make its Australian premiere at the Melbourne International Motor Show from 27 February to 9 March 2009.

This versatile SUV will be in dealerships from the ‘launch weekend’ of 7/8 March 2009 and will be priced from just $59,900 for both the 2.0 TDI quattro and 2.0 TFSI quattro models.

A powerful V6 3.2 FSI quattro follows at just $69,900 and the mighty 3.0 TDI at a sharp $71,900.

Audi’s managing director, Joerg Hofmann, says the Q5 will find favour with Australian customers thanks to an excellent combination of fuel-efficient engines, on and offroad capabilities and typically top-quality Audi design and engineering.

“The Q5 is priced very competitively, and offers strong performance from each of its four direct injection engines. In line with Audi’s Progressive Performance philosophy, the 2.0 TDI engine is exempt from Luxury Car Tax due to its low consumption of less than 7 litres per 100km.

“It is an extremely attractive package for compact SUV buyers, and we expect the Q5 to follow in the successful footsteps of the Audi Q7. It will be an important addition to our range, supporting our strong sales development and increasing brand profile in 2009,” Mr Hofmann said.

Four engine variants are available for Australian buyers, all with direct injection turbo-charged engines and quattro permanent all-wheel drive.

At launch, both the 2.0 TFSI and 3.0 TDI variants will be available, closely followed by the 2.0 TDI and 3.2 FSI models in April.

The Audi Q5 2.0TDI quattro is exempt from luxury car tax thanks to its low consumption of less than 7.0l/100km.

All Audi Q5 models are equipped with Audi’s consumption-saving 7-speed S-tronic gearbox. This new transmission means gear changes take only a few hundredths of a second and deliver virtually uninterrupted power flow.

The Audi Q5 is the first model to feature this innovative dual-clutch transmission mounted to a longitudinal engine layout. Matched with Audi’s quattro permanent all wheel drive system with 40:60 torque split, the Audi Q5 offers optimum traction and superb handling on a variety of road surfaces.

Ideally suited to the Australian lifestyle, the Audi Q5 will follow in the successful footsteps of its larger sibling, the Audi Q7. With the largest load-carrying capacity in its class at 540 litres, the Q5, although compact, will swallow large quantities of luggage, sporting equipment and even the family pet.

It’s versatile on and off-road capabilities make it ideal for weekends away, as well as day-to-day driving, and its streamlined coupe-like design and elegant interior mean the Q5 will look at home in the city, as well as open country roads.

The Audi Q5 also boasts innovative driver assistance systems such as a brand new MMI Plus Navigation system with 7-inch colour monitor and 40 GB hard drive with storage for up to 10,000 music files; Audi Side Assist for blind spot warnings and Lane Assist to prevent accidents caused by lane ‘wandering’.

Adaptive Cruise Control is also available with ‘braking guard’ collision warning system which gives the driver an audible warning gong and applies the brakes when too close to the car in front; and Audi Drive Select for variable damper settings and dynamic steering control.