Melbourne show: Audi Q5 makes Aussie debut

AUDI today staged the Australian premiere of its its vitally important Q5 mid-sized SUV that is aimed straight at the BMW X3 and newly released Volvo XC60.

Prices kick off from $59,990 for either the 2.0-litre TDI quattro turbo-diesel or 2.0-litre TFSI turbo four-cylinder petrol model, with the 3.2-litre V6 quattro version commencing from $69,900, some $2000 under the $71,900 3.0-litre V6 TDI.

The newly facelifted A6 range – including the long-awaited sedan version of the RS6 – was the only other newcomer on Audi’s stand at this morning’s Melbourne show.

At the bottom of the A6 range is a newly minted 2.0-litre TDI turbo-diesel from $74,500, while the RS6 sedan joins its Avant wagon counterpart from a cool $263,500 at the other extreme.

Left: Q5 and A6.

All-new V6 diesel and V6 supercharged petrol models also lob in to round out the 2009 A6 range, which also includes the established 2.0-litre TFSI and 2.8-litre FSI V6 quattro petrol models, as well as the bestselling 3.0-litre TDI quattro for diesel diehards.

The A6-based Allroad quattro also benefits from some of the improvements to the range, scoring the uprated version of the 3.0-litre TDI. With the demise of the A6 Avant in Australia, the crossover becomes the sole big wagon in Audi’s line-up for the time being.

Sadly, the much-anticipated TT RS, as well as the Cabriolet variations of the A5 and S5 Coupes that are going to spearhead Audi’s Geneva motor show thrust next week, failed to materialise in Melbourne.

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