Audi Announces U.S.-Bound SQ5 With 354 Horsepower Gasoline Powered V6

•SQ5 with 3.0 TFSI engine at the Detroit Auto Show
•From zero to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 5.3 seconds
•250 km/h (155 mph) top speed

The new Audi SQ5 shown at the Detroit Auto Show is the first ever to be powered by a gasoline engine – in this case one producing 260 kW (354 hp) and 470 Nm (346.65 lb-ft) of torque The new top-of-the-line model, which was designed specifically for markets such as the United States, Canada and China, uses a 3.0 TFSI engine with forced induction. It sprints from zero to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 5.3 seconds on its way to a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

The new SQ5 is powered by a free-revving, supercharged, three-liter V6 engine with a displacement of 2,995 cc. Its compressor sits in the 90-degree V of the cylinder banks and is belt-driven by the crankshaft. Two rotors inside the supercharger spin at over 20,000 rpm. The air gap between them is just a few thousandths of a millimeter. The supercharger compresses the intake air to as much as 0.8 bar; two intercoolers then cool it for greater power.

The compressor is located downstream of the throttle valve. Its drive requires little engine power, as the density of the intake air is very low at loads below the supercharging level and when coasting. Torque develops early and quickly due to the short gas paths downstream of the supercharger. Various measures dampen compressor noise. A balance shaft in the engine’s alloy crankcase provides for greater smoothness. Adjustable intake camshafts and flaps in the intake ports provide for good charging efficiency in the combustion chambers.

The 3.0 TFSI engine produces 260 kW (354 hp) between 6,000 and 6,500 rpm, and delivers 470 Nm (346.65 lb-ft) of torque to the crankshaft between 4,000 and 4,500 rpm. The sprint from zero to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) takes just 5.3 seconds – best in its class. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). The Audi SQ5 consumes on average 8.5 liters of fuel per 100 km in the NEDC (21 US mpg). This equates to CO2 emissions of 199 grams per kilometer (320.26 g/m) in the NEDC.

An eight-speed tiptronic and quattro permanent all-wheel drive with torque vectoring transfer the power of the SQ5 firmly to the road. The fast-shifting automatic transmission offers two modes, and the driver can also switch gears manually via the standard shift paddles on the steering wheel.
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GermanNut - 1/8/2013 1:39:31 PM

-5 Boost

With the Q5 already receiving stellar reviews, the SQ5 is sure to be one hell of a ride. Combining stellar performance, handling, luxury, interior ergonomics and design, the Audi SQ5 really has no true competitor.

There is no M BMW X3 or AMG Mercedes GLK available in the U.S. or anywhere else in the world for that matter.

MercedesSL - 1/8/2013 5:59:04 PM

+4 Boost

Mercedes and BMW both have 300hp versions of the GLK, and X3. Hate to break it to you but adding an extra 50hp is hardly ground breaking. Its more of an engine update for the class, I'm sure in a year they will all have similar power outputs.

chewy - 1/8/2013 7:15:19 PM

-3 Boost

Oh come on, you should know by now how underrated the 3.0T is. The "270" horsepower version already matches or exceeds the two other German competitors, the SQ5 will be stronger still. And how do you propose the GLK 350 easily increase its horsepower output with a naturally aspirated engine?

MercedesSL - 1/8/2013 8:38:35 PM

+2 Boost

Intentionally listing that an engine has less power than it actually does seem silly, I would call it false advertising, not underrated. Anyway Mercedes has a 2.0 that makes 350hp, and are developing a new turbo 4 liter V8 for the C63. It appears Mercedes is developing a full turbo line up like BMW, so a turbo 6 should also be close behind, or the 4.0 could even find its way in to the GLK.

chewy - 1/9/2013 12:03:18 PM

+1 Boost

Mercedes does the same thing, the 4.7 TT is certainly much stronger than just 403 horsepower. Part of why these new forced induction German engines seem so underrated is that they have plenty of torque. A turbo 300 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque engine is for the most part going to perform better than your old 300 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque comparable naturally aspirated engine. And it looks like the Germans for the most part are rating their power as if you put in regular gas and it's 110 degrees outside.

chewy - 1/8/2013 2:47:40 PM

+1 Boost

Should be quite potent based on what the regular Q5 3.0T does with "272" horsepower.

PQ40 - 1/8/2013 6:00:28 PM

+4 Boost

Looks feminine.

GermanNut - 1/9/2013 12:00:14 AM

-1 Boost

The 300 horsepower X3 and GLK don't stand a chance. Audi's 272 horsepower Q5 already matches the X3 and GLk in performance. The SQ5 will easily blow the two competitors away.

94geo - 1/9/2013 7:40:01 AM

+3 Boost

Lol, Yeah!!! That's what compact SUV buys want...to blow each other away!!! Sometimes I wonder just how old you are.

GermanNut - 1/9/2013 8:55:38 AM

0 Boost

94geo, you wouldn't buy an S or a similar higher output M or AMG SUV if you didn't care about performance. Sure it sounds like an oxymoron, but there are consumers who want a "Performance SUV." Why else would there be Cayenne Turbos, ML63 AMGs and X5 M/ X6 M?

These sporty models are targeted to those who want extra performance and likely care about 0-60 mph, slalom, braking etc.

LexSucks - 1/9/2013 5:29:48 PM

+2 Boost

How much more will this Audi cost than simarly powered BMW's and Merdeces? Here's the typical Audi rule. Find a BMW that has the same performance as the Audi. Add at least $5k to the price of the BMW and then you will have the price of the Audi.

francesco - 1/11/2013 12:18:18 PM

+1 Boost

Looks like a Chrysler 300 front end what a copycat.