Sizzling Audi SQ5 headed for Oz

THE sizzling Audi SQ5 twin-turbo TDI sports SUV has at last been locked in for Australia, with first examples set to touch down by the middle of 2013 – less than six months after the rest of the revised Q5 range hits showrooms at the end of this year.

While the company’s local arm had previously expressed enthusiasm for the vehicle, unveiled globally at the Le Mans 24-hours in June, this is the first official confirmation that the car will come here as a rival for BMW’s triple-turbo diesel X5 and X6 M50d models.

As the flagship variant in the Q5 range, the SQ5 is powered by a 230kW/650Nm 3.0-litre bi-turbo V6 diesel engine and can sprint from zero to 100km/h in a rapid 5.1 seconds – two-tenths faster than the more powerful but heavier Beemers.

The potent Audi will also be 0.6s quicker than the larger, V8 diesel-powered Cayenne S from sister company Porsche, which is due in Australia in April.

Left: SQ5 TDI exclusive edition.

News of the car’s Australian arrival comes as Audi AG prepares to unveil a special limited edition version of the car, dubbed the SQ5 TDI Exclusive Concept, at the Paris motor show later this month.

Only 50 examples of this version will see the light of day, all of which are earmarked for Europe, and each will go on sale at the same time as the regular SQ5 in that region during the first quarter of 2013.

The exclusive edition features “new design solutions in the interior and an exclusive exterior finish”, including a crystal-effect blue paint finish, Audi-first woven leather seats, snow white Alcantara highlights and special badges.

Aside from these cosmetic differences, the car appears to be identical to the regular SQ5, and uses the same potent twin-turbo engine, eight-speed automatic transmission and quattro drivetrain.

Reflecting more its exclusivity that any massive difference in specification, the special edition will command a €33,500 ($A42,000) premium over the regular SQ5 in its German home market, retailing from €92,000 ($A115,000).