Many luxury auto buyers will tell you variety is one of the biggest factors in making a purchase. The 2013 Q5 caters to that desire by offering a triad of engines, two of which are newcomers. A 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder will still power the base version, but a new hybrid engine and supercharged 3.0-liter V6 will complete the upcoming line.
Across the board, the automaker will offer consumers improved fuel economy thanks to the brand’s eight-speed automatic, fuel start-stop technology, forced induction and direct injection in each powerplant.
The range-topping supercharged 3.0-liter V6 will replace Audi’s aging 3.2-liter V6, found on the 2012 model year. It will only offer two extra ponies with 272 hp, but the latest edition will feel punchier thanks to 295 lb-ft of torque — 52 more than the old engine.
There won’t be any extra torque to speak of in the entry-level 2.0-liter, but it does get a little stronger with 225 hp over last year’s 211 rating.
Finally, the fuel-efficient hybrid model also takes advantage of a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylidner engine with 211 hp from the gasoline engine and 54 hp from its electric motor. Together the hybrid Q5 is capable of 245 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque to outshine the base gas-burner. That said, it’s certain to be quite a bit pricier too.
Audi also claims the hybrid will get 34 mpg combined, although those numbers come from Audi instead of the EPA. Click below to see the new Q5 going off road.
