All-New Audi Q5 Ready to Battle the Volvo XC60

MANILA: The brand new version of the Audi Q5 SUV has been spotted road testing in Germany. Although the vehicle was camouflaged, it shows several changes to the vehicle’s exterior and quite possibly the drivetrain. Premium brands like Audi, Mercedes and BMW sure don’t enjoy a lot of sales or demand in the Philippines due to their ‘obviously premium’ pricing. But we cannot ignore the immense fan attention these brands receive, being at the forefront of design and technological innovation. Moreover, the global demand for Sports Utility Vehicles in 2016 has also brought about a lot of changes in the buyer's tastes and the land of the Filipinos is no exception.

The changes were quite evident with the Q5 2017 that has been presented with brand new LED headlamps and possibly a new grille. Speculations are, the front fascia will comprise of a single unit that will encompass the grille and the LED projector headlamps. The rear looks refreshed as well and now has dual exhaust pipes with rectangular design on both sides of the bumper. This could indicate the possibility of a powerful engine such as a V6. According to the manufacturers, the new Q5 doesn’t want to impress the buyers through its engines but will focus more on the technology that makes them highly driver-friendly. An intelligent cruise control along with an advanced infotainment system will also be featured in the production version. There are speculations of an independent all-wheel drive system to be offered with the Q5 A4 that will certainly try to capture the Volvo XC60’s market.

The heavy increase in vehicle traffic has also largely affected sales for premium brands in the country as people prefer to buy smaller sized vehicles that take less space on the roads. But thanks to the new government policies, things are coming back on track this year and the launch of several new models by brands such as Mercedes, BMW and Audi AG have seen a lot of buyer attention. The latest Audi Q5 is certain to make its presence in the country as we have already heard of manufacturer's new marketing strategy for 2016.

Image Courtesy: autoevolution.com, automotobike.ru

Also Read: Audi SQ7 is the new ‘S for Sporty’ Derivative of Q7