Audi Q5 @ Rs 38.29 lakh

Audi, German luxury car manufacturer, launched on Thursday its new SUV Audi Q5.

Voted the Best Off-Roader in Europe by auto motor und sport and awarded the Golden Steering Wheel in Germany, the Audi Q5 combines a sports sedan with a quattro permanent all-wheel drive.

The Audi Q5 range starts at Rs 38.29 lakh (Rs 3.82 million) for the 2.0 TFSI and Rs 44.19 lakh (Rs 4.4 million) for the 3.0 TDI (ex-showroom Mumbai) and will be offered in six colours: Stratos Blue, Garnet Red, Ice Silver, Meteor Grey, Phantom Black and Ibis White.

The Audi Q5 with two engine options -- 2.0 TFSI and 3.0 TDI -- will be available at Audi dealerships across India from June 4 onwards. Both of them are direct injection units with turbocharging, beefy pulling power and impressive fuel efficiency.

The new 2.0 TFSI with Audi valvelift system has a maximum power output of 155 kW (211 hp) and speeds up to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds.

The Audi Q5 stands testament to Audi's commitment to innovation and sophistication. We introduce now another excellent product of the Audi model range to our Indian customers. The market for the SUV segment has seen tremendous growth in this country during the last years.

"Driven by our philosophy of 'Vorsprung durch Technik', the Audi Q5 will become a benchmark for style, performance, safety, comfort and driving dynamics in its segment. It joins its 'big brother' Audi Q7 in creating a new market for the smaller luxury SUV admirer in the country," said  Benoit Tiers, managing director, Audi India.

The large single-frame grill dominates the car's front-end, the headlamps have xenon plus bulbs and LED running lights as standard, and the rear lights also feature LED technology.

The Audi Q5 is 4.63 meters (15.19 feet) long, 1.88 meters (6.17 feet) wide and 1.65 meters (5.41 feet) high, giving it the sportiest proportions in the segment.

The new Audi Q5 will be available along with the entire Audi model range comprising the new Audi A6, Audi A8, Audi Q7, Audi A4, Audi TT and the super sports car Audi R8 from June 4th, 2009 onwards at 11 dealerships across the country: in Delhi, Gurgaon, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kochi.

Image: The Audi Q5