Long live Diesel, at least until the decisions (not always shared) of the political world put it aside with the registration ban along with petrol engines. While waiting, it is nice to enjoy the advantages of a propulsion system that emits little CO2, which with the latest technological innovations (such as the twin-dosing SCR system with double urea injection) has almost eliminated NOx and particulate matter and which - above all - offers very low overall management costs.
This is the case of the Audi Q5 Sportback 40 TDI Quattro S Tronic, a model that offers everything from the latest generation Ultra all-wheel drive to the efficient S Tronic double clutch transmission, a combination that makes this suv-coupé suitable for every route and any environmental situation.
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Audi Q5 Sportback 40 TDI Quattro S Tronic
It should be emphasized that the Quattro system normally pushes the car with the front wheels and the electronics then decide (even in a predictive manner) when to bring the rear ones into action.
This allows to reduce friction and consumption by avoiding unnecessarily turning mechanical components when not needed.
In terms of traction and dynamics, no difference is perceived compared to permanent all-wheel drive systems, but the average saving (again compared to permanent 4x4s) is 0.3 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers.
The car subject of our 'prolonged' test belongs to the range that, correctly, the House of the Four Rings wanted to dedicate to diesel engines which includes four variants: in addition to the four-cylinder 2.0 Mhev 12V turbodiesel with 204 Hp and 400 Nm of the Q5 Sportback 40 TDI Quattro S Tronic, the four-cylinder 2.0 TDI Mhev 12V with 163 Hp and 370 Nm, the V6 3.0 Mhev 48V with 286 Hp and 620 Nm and the sports variant mounted on the model SQ5 TDI Mhev 48V with 341 Hp and 700 Nm with double supercharging, i.e. supplied by an electrically driven compressor and an exhaust gas turbine.
It should be noted that the 12 Volt Mhev electric section - an acronym which means mild hybrid electric vehicle and which is identified with the 'light' systems - which makes the Audi Q5 Sportback 40 TDI Quattro S Tronic also from the homologation point of view a hybrid model. all effects not only have a positive influence on consumption, but also serve to make the on-board services work longer when the diesel engine is off. A situation that occurs - even for a period of several seconds - when the accelerator is lifted, the car moves by inertia while sailing (the so-called 'coasting') and with the engine off, without the driver having to intervene or notice it.
The modern twin-dosing turbodiesel of the Audi Q5 Sportback 40 TDI Quattro S Tronic is approved for a consumption of 6.3 liters of diesel per 100 km, a value that also in reality translates - remaining in the Code speeds - into distances of around 14- 15 km liter, which translates into an autonomy that can reach 1,000 km. All this with the possibility when the traffic and the situation allow it to take from 0 to 100 km / h in just 7.6 seconds and to touch (on roads without limits) the 222 km / h.
Driving this elegant suv-coupé is always satisfying, on long journeys as in queues, because the set of mechanical characteristics, ADAS and man / car interface is perfectly calibrated to offer the best travel experience. In daily use, the new third generation modular infotainment platform MIB 3- E is also appreciated, characterized by a calculation power ten times higher than the MIB 2 system and allows the management of menus and various functions (including voice commands , if the Audi Connect Navigation & Infotainment Plus package is present) with great efficiency and speed.
The S line Plus customization has also been promoted which emphasizes the look of the Audi Q5 Sportback 40 TDI Quattro S Tronic with 'non-invasive' details such as the brand's Four Rings on the doors, dark glasses, glossy black finishes, red brake calipers and LEDs that project the Audi symbol onto the ground when the door is opened.
