While its final U.S. specs won’t be forthcoming until closer to its arrival here this fall, the first facts and photos of the updated 2013 Audi Q5 have been released. In addition to a mild visual refresh and some tasteful interior tweaks, Audi‘s compact five-passenger crossover gets number of significant changes underhood for all markets. In our case, they will include the arrival of a new hybrid variant – the first gas/electric offering from Audi – as well as a turbodiesel model that will be coming to America by mid-2013.
The exterior changes to the Audi Q5 are confined to a modest recasting of its front and rear fascias highlighted by a restyled grille black grille with chrome vertical bars, new headlamps and LED running lights plus a redone rear diffuser with new exhaust finishers. Several new colors also accompany the transition as do both S-line and Offroad styling packages. Inside, the 2013 Audi Q5 features a new steering wheel, improved ergonomics on switchgear for its key functional systems and similar user-oriented enhancements to its navigation/audio systems plus a new Audi music stream app for smartphones.
As for the big news, the conventional 2013 Audi Q5 will offer six different powertrains on an international basis, including two turbocharged gasoline engines, three turbodiesels and the hybrid. Here in America, expect the base Audi Q5 Quattro to be fitted with a new version of the current 2.0-liter TFSI four-cylinder that will make 225 horsepower — up from 211 — and 258 lb-ft of torque. The Q5’s existing 270-horsepower/3.2-liter naturally aspirated V6 will be replaced by a new 3.0-liter supercharged TFSI alternative that makes 272 horses and 295 lb-ft of twist — compared to the 3.2L’s 243 stat.
Already on sale in Europe, the 2013 Audi A5 Hybrid Quattro gets its motivation from a combination of the 2.0-liter TFSI engine (rated here at 211 ponies) and a 54-horsepower electric motor. Collectively, the system puts out 245 horses and 354 lb-ft of torque, which gets shipped to all four wheels via a specially modified 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. The other alternative choice making its first appearance in the Q5’s U.S. lineup is a 3.0-liter TDI turbodiesel rated at 245 horsepower but a heady 428 lb-ft of torque. Teamed with a seven-speed S Tronic automatic and Quattro all-wheel drive, it’s expected to deliver about a 37-mpg combined EPA rating.
No changes have been made to the suspension of the 2013 Audi Q5, although a new electromechanical power steering unit has been added to the mix. All versions of the Q5 sold in America will continue to feature the automaker’s Quattro all-wheel drive as standard. Pricing for the 2013 Audi Q5 is expected to remain close to the current levels, which should see the base model open somewhere between $35,000-$40,000.
