Audi SQ5 TDI Is Audi's First Full Diesel 'S' Model

AudiAudiGermany, 1909 > present83 models
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27 videos
is the brand most associated with proving the performance capabilities of a well-tuned diesel engine by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans with diesel-powered cars from 2006 until this past weekend. That makes it surprising that BMWBMWGermany, 1918 > present87 models
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, not Audi, was the first to push truly high performance, production diesel cars with their new line of M Performance diesels on the 5-seriesBMW M550d xDrive SedanGermany, 2012 > present2 photos
, X5BMW X5 M50dGermany, 2012 > present5 photos
and X6. Audi has answered back with its first 'S' badged diesel model, the SQ5 TDIAudi Q5 Gen.1Germany, 2008 > 201663 versions
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. 

The main selling point is the engine with a 3.0 liter, twin-turbocharged V6 with 313hp and 650Nm (479lb-ft) of torque. It accelerates the truck to 100km/h in 5.1 seconds with an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h. Fuel consumption comes in at 7.2l/100km. It is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and comes standard with torque-vectoring Quattro.

To make the car look more aggressive and sporty, Audi made numerous exterior and suspension modifications. It is equipped with a sport suspension that lowers the car 30mm compared to stock and rides on standard 20in wheels. There will be optional 21in wheels as well. Audi added 'S' badges to the front brake calipers. Like all Audi S models, the SQ5 gets a single-frame grill, roof spoiler and deeper front and rear bumpers. The Estoril Blue paint shown in the photos is a first for the Q5, and Audi says that in person that it has a crystal-effect. 

Inside, the SQ5 TDI gets power-adjustable sport seats with Pearl-color Nappa leather and Alcantara, aluminum trim, grey instrument dials with white needles, aluminum pedals and gear shift

Options on the SQ5 TDI include speed-sensitive steering, silver headliner, piano black trim and a variety of infotainment and Audi connect options. 

Audi says that the SQ5 TDI will go on sale in the first quarter of 2013 starting at €58,500.

It would have been nice if Audi would have chosen to make the first diesel S-car a little more high performance. It seems to have split the difference with this car, where BMW went full-bore with a tri-turbo, 3.0l diesel. Still it is nice to see the concept of higher performance diesels from Audi is not just the R8 TDI conceptAudi R8 V12 TDiGermany, 2008 > present2 photos
.