Day after tomorrow, BMW will launch the new X3 in India. Seeing the time as perfect Audi has launched a Business Edition of the Q5 SUV, priced at Rs. 35.13 lakhs (ex-showroom Maharashtra). The Audi Q5 2.0 TDi q is a CKD and will be available from October 2011. This particular Q5 model is powered by a 2.0-liter diesel engine which produces 170 hp of power and 350 Nm of torque at 1750 RPM. The TDi motor is mated to a 7-speed automatic S tronic gearbox and has an ARAI certified mileage of 12.8 kmpl. The Business Edition Audi Q5 features LED daytime running lights, Xenon plus headlights, 17″ alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, leather interiors with wood inserts, Audi Media Interface and a multifunctional 4-spoke leather steering wheel. Is this the Land Rover Freelander 2 effect?

“The Audi Q5 2.0 TDI q is perfectly equipped to further strengthen our leadership position in the luxury SUV segment. As the Audi Q5 already has a broad fan base in India, this attractive price will now make this premium experience accessible to a wider customer base who aspire to own a luxury SUV endorsed by our ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ philosophy. The Audi Q5 2.0 TDI q powered by a dynamic and efficient engine is also equipped with best in-class interior and infotainment features,” Michael Perschke, Head – Audi India, said.

Audi India has handed over the keys of a white Audi Q5 to Yuvraj Singh. The cricketer was gifted the SUV for winning the man of tournament award at the recently concluded Cricket World Cup. The keys were personally given by Audi India head Michael Perschke to Yuvraj. Also present on the ocassion was Ravi Shastri who had received an Audi 26 years back for his splendid performance on the field.

“It is after 28 years that we’ve brought the World Cup home and it is an honor that I have been chosen to be felicitated by Audi as they continue their tradition,” a delighted Yuvraj said.

Audi has launched the Q5 2.0 TDI quattro priced at Rs. 39,05,000/- (ex-showroom Maharashtra). Deliveries to customers will begin in April 2011. The Audi Q5 2.0 TDI q with 170 hp of power and 350 Nm of torque at 1750 RPM is equipped with the dynamic 7–speed automatic S tronic transmission. The Audi Q5 range is also powered by a petrol engine, the 2.0 TFSI q and a diesel engine, the 3.0 TDI q. The engine of the new 2.0 TDI q is a CKD (Completely Knocked Down) kit, imported from the German automakers facility in Ingolstadt. The company sold 3003 cars last year.

“We are confident that the addition of the powerful 2.0 TDI q engine to the Audi Q5 range in India will strengthen and sustain our leadership position in the luxury SUV segment. The all new Audi Q5 2.0 TDI q, resonates higher efficiency and dynamic performance with its new engine and refreshed array of characteristics, that reflect our core brand essence of Vorsprung durch Technik,” Michael Perschke, Head Audi India said.

Audi has started assembly of the Q5 in Aurangabad. In the future, up to 1,500 units of the Q5 will run off the assembly line there each year for the Indian market. The Q5 is the third Audi model after the A4 and A6 to be produced in India, increasing the production volume of the company with the four rings in India this year to more than 2,400 units, compared with 732 vehicles in the preceding year. Altogether Audi has produced around 2,000 cars in India since the start of production in September 2007. By 2015 up to 6,000 units will be rolling off the line each year. Final assembly of the Audi Q5 takes place in five work cycles on two assembly lines alongside the A4 and A6 at the Volkswagen Group’s Aurangabad plant.

Last year also saw Audi significantly expand its line-up of engines for the models produced at the Aurangabad site: The Audi A6 sedan has been available with a 3.0 TFSI gasoline engine since March 2009, and before then customers could already choose between the 2.8 FSI, the 2.7 TDI and the 3.0 TDI. In July, an entry-level version of the A4 sedan with a 1.8 liter TFSI engine was introduced. It rounds out the previous engine line-up, which for the A4 also includes a 2.0 TDI and a 2.0 TFSI unit. Audi is currently offering the Q5 with a 2.0 TFSI and the 3.0 TDI engines. Further efficient engines will follow shortly. Audi has been represented in the Indian market for four years now. In the spring of 2007, a separate sales company based in Mumbai was opened to manage all Indian market activities.

Audi India will start assembling its sports utility vehicle the Audi  Q5 in India by March next year and is expecting its sales to grow by about 70% in 2009. The Indian subsidiary of Audi would start a new line of production for the Q5 with an initial capacity of 500 units per year Audi currently assembles its luxury sedans A4 and A6 at its Aurangabad plant.

“We will start local assembling of our SUV Q5 at the Aurangabad plant. This year we are expecting to sell 200 units of the car, while it should go up to 500 units from next year,” Audi India Managing Director Benoit Tiers said.

Audi has launched the much awaited Audi Q5 – the sportiest and most elegant SUV in its class. Audi Q5 is a marvel of precision engineering, luxurious interiors, with dynamic and innovative features and progressive design. Voted the Best Off-Roader in Europe by auto motor und sport and awarded the Golden Steering Wheel in Germany, the Audi Q5 combines the dynamism of a sports sedan with Audi’s legendary quattro permanent all-wheel drive to create a superior technology package for both on- and off-road driving.

The Audi Q5’s design is elegant and sculptural – typically for Audi, which is the leading brand in this domain. The large single-frame grill dominates the 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 Audi Q5 comes two powerful engines – one petrol (2.0 TFSI) and one diesel (3.0 TDI). 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 211hp and speeds up to 100 kmph in 7.2 seconds. The 3.0 TDI is the most powerful engine in the range with 240hp and 500Nm of torque. It speeds up from 0 to 100 kmph in 6.5 seconds with a top speed of 225 kmph. For these engines Audi has developed a new generation of the dynamic S tronic – the innovative dual-clutch transmission now has seven gears. The Audi Q5 has a climbing performance of  31 degrees.

The Audi Q5 combines technology with luxury. The standard and optional equipment includes the Audi driver information system, the MMI (Multi Media Interface), xenon plus headlights with LED technology, Bang & Olufsen surround sound, a DVD player, Rear Seat Entertainment, 3-Zone automatic air conditioning, cruise control, an acoustic parking system with rearview camera and many additional features.

The Audi Q5 range starts at INR 3,829,000 for the 2.0 TFSI and INR 4,419,000 for the 3.0 TDI (ex-showroom Mumbai) and will be offered in six exciting colors: Stratos Blue, Garnet Red, Ice Silver, Meteor Grey, Phantom Black and Ibis White. The Audi Q5 is available at 11 dealerships across the country, in Delhi, Gurgaon, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai and Kochi.

As posted eariler about the launch of the Audi Q5 in India, Audi India will launch the baby SUV Q5 on the 4th of June, 2009. The same day, Fiat will launch the much awaited Fiat Grande Punto in India. Audi will introduce the Q5 with a 3.0 litre TDI diesel and a 2.0 litre TFSI petrol engine. Pricing is expected to start at Rs. 38 lakhs and go upto Rs. 45 lakhs for the high end variants. Toyota Prado better watch out.

Audi will launch its latest sports utility vehicle Q5 in India in June 2009. Audi will introduce the Q5 with 3.0 litre TDI (diesel) and 2.0 litre TFSI (petrol) engines for Indian consumers. The Audi Q5 will be imported as completely built units from Audi’s Ingolstadt facility in Germany.

“The only SUV in India from our stable is Q7, which is doing extremely good even in the present situation. But still some people prefer a smaller SUV and because of this, we have decided to offer Q5 in the Indian market,” Audi spokesperson said.

Q5 was launched in Europe in November 2008, with four versions in both petrol and diesel engines. It is priced between 38,000 Euro and 50,000 Euro in Germany.