Update: ‘Price & Release Date’ section updated.
Three months after falling prey to China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology disclosure in August 2021, the Audi Q5 e-tron made its world debut at Auto Guangzhou 2021 in November 2021. Here’s everything we know about the regional Audi electric SUV.
What is it?
The Audi Q5 e-tron is not the successor to the Audi e-tron but a longer, more spacious version of the Q4 e-tron that debuted in April 2021. Like the VW ID.6 that it is based on, this electric SUV is reserved for the Chinese market.
Exterior
The Audi Q5 e-tron, although inspired by the Audi Concept Shanghai car presented in April 2021, feels like an inflated Q4 e-tron. Image Source: MIIT & Audi
From every angle, the Audi Q5 e-tron looks like a big brother of the Q4 e-tron. Its shape and design are very similar to those of the global compact electric SUV. This is another indication that the Q5 e-tron is a China-only model, as Audi wouldn’t design two global models very closely.
At the front, the designers have used split headlamps. The flat upper half comprises the DRLs that can double as dynamic turn signals, and the lower half vertically stacked main driving lights, both low and high beams. Audi will offer the Matrix LED lights for the high beam.
Instead of a traditional grille, the Q5 e-tron has a closed panel, a structured surface with horizontal inserts. A chrome border surrounds this faux Singleframe, along with a black mask outside it. A powerfully contoured, curved blade extending under it runs sharply up at the ends. Vertical air inlets extend from below the headlamps, giving a sporty styling to the front-end.
The Audi Q5 e-tron has a straighter roofline compared to the Audi e-tron to improve rear headroom and luggage space. Image Source: MIIT & Audi
The Q5 e-tron has a conventional SUV profile like the e-tron and Q4 e-tron. The roofline slants down gently, ensuring the dynamic look doesn’t significantly affect the headroom. It has a relatively straighter roofline like the VW ID.6, which would mean more headroom and better suitability for rear-seat-preferring Chinese customers. Audi hasn’t used flush door handles on the Q5 e-tron. The company isn’t a fan of pop-out door handles and has stuck to the classic type even on the flagship EV – the e-tron GT.
The Audi Q5 e-tron is a three-row electric SUV like the VW ID.6. Image Source: MIIT & Audi
At the rear, the Q5 e-tron has a confident and striking design. In addition to the familiar crossover-style hunched tailgate, the new model makes a fashion statement with a wide V-shaped license plate area, sleek tail lamps with a thin light band connecting them, and an e-tron logo embossed in the skid plate.
Interior
The Audi Q5 e-tron apes the Q4 e-tron on the inside. From the new-generation Audi steering wheel with flattened top and bottom sections to the fancy dashboard with sharp lines and angular AC vents on the sides of the steering wheel, the hexagonal binnacle for the operating display, the wide driver-side-tilted touchscreen, the floating operating panel below the climate control operating unit, the e-tron badge on the driver-side dashboard, and the triangular door handle section, it borrows almost every part from the Q4 series.
The Audi Q5 e-tron’s interior design (below) is nearly identical to the Q4 e-tron (top). Image Source: Audi
The Audi Q5 e-tron is a three-row electric SUV that comes in 6-seat and 7-seat configurations, and both versions offer a flat floor. Second-row occupants get their own AC vents located between the front seats, and there’s a central armrest for their comfort. Key interior features of the Q5 e-tron include a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, Augmented Reality Head-Up Display, touch-operated steering wheel buttons, 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 13-speaker Bang & Olufsen 3D surround sound system, and a panoramic sunroof.
The three-row Q5 e-tron is one of several China-only models Audi has launched in recent years. Image Source: Audi
Audi offers the Q5 e-tron with the Audi Pro pilot suite of autonomous driving technologies. The company has equipped it with the Mobileye EyeQ4 processor, 3 mm-wave radars, 12 ultrasonic sensors, 4 surround-view cameras, and a multifunctional camera for L2+ assisted driving.
Specifications
The Audi Q5 e-tron is the premium cousin of the China-only VW ID.6 and shares the same VW MEB platform. It measures 4,876 mm (192.0 in.) in length, 1,860 mm (73.2 in.) in width, and 1,675 mm (65.9 in.) in height. It has a 2,965 mm (116.7 in.) wheelbase identical to the VW ID.6.
Leaked details before the unveil suggested that the Q5 e-tron will come in three variants, namely Q5 35 e-tron, Q5 40 e-tron, and Q5 50 e-tron quattro. However, this year, Audi is offering only the Q5 40 e-tron and Q5 50 e-tron quattro.
ParameterAudi Q5 e-tron SpecsVW ID.6 SpecsDifferenceLength4,876 mm (192.0 in.)4,876 mm (192.0 in.)–Width1,860 mm (73.2 in.)1,848 mm (72.8 in.)-12 mm (-0.5 in.)Height1,675 mm (65.9 in.)1,680 mm (66.1 in.)-5 mm (-0.2 in.)Wheelbase2,965 mm (116.7 in.)2,965 mm (116.7 in.)–
Dimensions of the Audi Q5 e-tron compiled with data from Chinese portals.
Audi Q5 40 e-tron & 50 e-tron
The Q5 40 e-tron has a single-motor RWD configuration but a more powerful 150 kW (201 hp) motor. The torque output stands at 310 Nm (229 lb.-ft.).
The Q5 50 e-tron quattro is a dual-motor AWD configuration with an 80 kW (107 hp) front motor and a 150 kW (201 hp) rear motor. United Automotive Electronic Systems is the supplier of the new electric SUV’s rear motor, whereas Huayu Magna Electric Drive System makes the front motor. The front and rear motors together deliver 225 kW (302 hp) and 460 Nm (339 lb.-ft.) of torque. A 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint takes 6.7 seconds.
Battery & Performance
The Q5 40 e-tron and Q5 50 e-tron share an 83.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack with a CLTC range of 560 km (348 miles) in the former and 520 km (323 miles) in the latter.
163.com has driven the Q5 e-tron and says its performance is “unforgettable.” Weighing 2.4 tons or approx. 5,300 pounds, it’s quite a heavy SUV, but it still behaves quite smoothly, whether making a sharp turn or a sudden lane change. The new electric SUV performs just as well off the road and, with eAWD, offers a faster response than the conventional quattro that uses a mechanical differential.
AspectSpecificationAudi Q5 40 e-tronAudi Q5 50 e-tronAudi Q5 50 e-tron edition oneLayoutRWDAWDAWDMotorsOneTwoTwoSystem Power150 kW (201 hp)225 kW (302 hp)225 kW (302 hp)System Torque310 Nm (229 lb.-ft.)460 Nm (339 lb.-ft.)460 Nm (339 lb.-ft.)Battery Pack Capacity83.4 kWh83.4 kWh83.4 kWhEnergy Consumption Rating15.9 kWh/100 km17 kWh/100 km17 kWh/100 kmRange (CLTC)560 km (348 miles)520 km (323 miles)520 km (323 miles)0-80% DC Fast-Charging Time40 minutes40 minutes40 minutesSeating6 or 766
Audi Q5 e-tron variant-wise specifications (Source: SAIC-Volkswagen/saic-audi.cn)
Future Q5 e-tron variants
The unlisted Q5 35 e-tron is a single-motor RWD configuration with a 132 kW (177 hp) motor. A range-topping Audi Q5 60 e-tron is also under development, k.sina.com.cn revealed through a spy shot on December 11, 2021. This variant should have individual motors for the front and rear axles, but the power and torque outputs could be dialed-up. We have yet to determine whether the battery pack will be the same 83.4 kWh unit or if Audi is planning a bigger capacity.
Price
The prices of the Q5 e-tron in China start at CNY 395,500 (USD 62,072) and go up to CNY 510,000 (USD 80,043). Below is the complete pricing:
- Q5 e-tron 40 Star – CNY 395,500 (USD 62,072)
- Q5 e-tron 50 quattro Glory – CNY 485,500 (USD 76,198)
- Q5 e-tron 40 Star Day Edition – CNY 405,500 (USD 63,642)
- Q5 e-tron 50 quattro Daily – CNY 495,500 (USD 77,767)
- Q5 e-tron 50 quattro edition one – CNY 510,000 (USD 80,043)
According to the SAIC-Audi website, the Q5 40 e-tron is available as a six-seater and a seven-seater. The Q5 50 e-tron quattro and Q5 50 e-tron quattro edition one are available only as a six-seater. SAIC-Audi says that because of the Q5 e-tron’s excellent battery management system, it consumes as little as 15.9 kWh/100 km (62 miles). Thus, the cost of driving it for 100 km (62 miles) is a measly CNY 15. The purchase price includes three years of unlimited free public charging and a free Audi wallbox charger with free installation.
Reports suggest that Volkswagen, the brand, is considering launching the China-made ID.6 in Europe. But we doubt Audi will do the same with the Q5 e-tron, as it has kept the world premiere low profile and avoided a global announcement. Unlike the Q5 e-tron, the upcoming Q6 e-tron will be an international model, one that offers two-row seating.
The Q5 35 e-tron and Q5 60 e-tron may go on sale in the Chinese market a few months after the first pair of variants.
Audi – In China, for China
Audi has adapted products to a great extent for Chinese customers over the last two decades. It began with the launch of a specially developed A6 with a long wheelbase in 1999. The company has since upgraded its China strategy to launch China-exclusive models in addition to exclusive long-wheelbase versions of global models.
In 2019, Audi launched the Q2 L e-tron in China, and last year, the Audi A7L. However, these were derivatives. The company will continue with this market-specific approach, the basis of which, Werner Eichhorn, former President of Audi (China), said, is the idea of ‘In China for China.’
Audi Q5 e-tron FAQs
What is the Audi Q5 e-tron price?
The Q5 e-tron’s prices start at CNY 395,500 (USD 62,072).
What is the Audi Q5 e-tron release date in Europe & U.S.?
The Q5 e-tron is unlikely to launch globally as it appears to be a China-only exercise. The Q6 e-tron, however, would be a global car.
Which models will be the Audi Q5 e-tron competitors?
The Audi Q5 e-tron can compete with the Tesla Model Y & 3-row SUVs ranging from the BYD Tang EV to the Nio ES8.
Featured Image Source: Audi
Keyword: Everything we know about the Audi Q5 e-tron as of April 2022