Audi Q5 getting 7-speed DSG, Porsche variant on the horizon, again
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Audi Quattro Coupe Concept.
The Audi Q5 will reportedly make its official debut at the Bejing Motor Show next month and with Porsche's increased stake in the Volkswagen group – going from 31-percent to more than 50-percent – that means that VAG and Porsche might begin to finally play nice again with platform sharing.
Initially, the new Q5 was supposed to underpin Porsche's own mini 'ute, but rumors suggested that Audi's board nixed the idea for fear that a Porsche model sharing the same platform could steal sales from the new CUV. That's about to change as Porsche gets a few seats on VAG's board, and according to Autoweek, development of the vehicle-formerly-known as the Roxster is back in full swing.
While there's no new information about the Porsche, Audi's Q5 will be revealed packing the new seven-speed dual-clutch S-tronic gearbox mated to a longitudinal engine. The real benefit of the new DL500 transmission is that it can handle torque output up to 405 lb.-ft. and engine revs of 8,500 rpm. The new tranny will disseminate throughout the rest of the Audi lineup in coming years, first in Quattro models, including the new A4, and then on down to the automaker's front-wheel-drive models.
Gallery: Audi Cross Coupe Quattro
[Source: Autoweek]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
SPG 2:35PM (3/14/2008)
Well what do you know?
Audi can style an SUV after all.
I guess the Q7 is like the first pancake.
The one you throw away.
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dyakobson 1:47PM (3/15/2008)
I finally managed to see a parked Q7 near my job. Didn't get a great look at it, but the profile of the car is pure sex and this is coming from someone who despises SUVs.
Spaceweasel 2:43PM (3/14/2008)
I'd take this over an x6 any day of the week and twice on Sunday
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Richard 2:44PM (3/14/2008)
These things are all like Birkenstocks....
Kind of slow.
Comfortable.
Don't turn too well.
Slightly psuedo-crunchy.
And, at the end of the day, they excell in a fairly narrow band of opportunity - like driving through suburbia to purchase and transport insignificantly sized antiques...and getting 15 miles per gallon of dinosaur juice.
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zamafir 2:46PM (3/14/2008)
Very Very good news, it's about time all of audi's more spirited cars be allowed to move away from the torque converter.
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kevin 2:48PM (3/14/2008)
Audi can do no wrong! Can you imagine this in RS trim?
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Reuben 2:56PM (3/14/2008)
Haha...VAG
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Serge K. 3:34PM (3/14/2008)
Haha, you're moron.
pscs 3:37PM (3/14/2008)
"Porsche's own mini 'ute"
Ute = pick up truck but anyway that's not my point. If porsche will bring out essentially the same thing as audi's q5, they should really keep the price low! but consequently, no one will buy a cheap porsche.
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993C4S 4:07PM (3/14/2008)
I don't know about everyone else, but I'm kind of tired of all the speculation of Porsche doing this, Porsche doing that, etc., etc.
What happened to old fashioned reporting where if someone wanted to know something, they picked up the phone and asked (or at least sent an email).
Even a "no comment" is better than just pure speculation and hype.
Don't get me wrong, I'm a blogger and I've done my fair share of speculation, but the more I see these internet rumors propagate, the more frustrated I get.
As bloggers, web-publishers, new media journalists, whatever we want to call ourselves, we should take some responsibility for what we print vs using unsubstantiated rumors as the basis for a story.
Damon, I'm not intentionally picking on you/your post, just venting in general and curious if anyone feels the same way or even cares?
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Damon Lavrinc 4:58PM (3/14/2008)
Mr. C4S: Being the "blog of record" (a title that's been thrown around on other sites) means that we are here to cover almost everything happening on the product side of the industry. Autoweek is a reputable source that's afforded an unhealthy amount of access -- particularly to German automakers -- and when they cover something, we're compelled by our readership to report on it. While I agree that this story has gone on for far too long, it's still newsworthy, particularly when they're citing sources within Audi and Porsche -- not unsubstaniated rumors. However, I totally agree that so much of the news online is random tidbits that often prove to be less than accurate, but we do our best to cut through the hype and speculation to provide a balanced viewpoint on the subject at hand. Thanks for bringing this up in a civil manner; it's further proof that our readers are some of the best around.
Colin Smith 5:10PM (3/14/2008)
Sorry, but this thing is misshapen, badly proportioned and just plain ugly. Why that sloping rear window - robs space and leaves it looking like a Lexus?
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Jason 5:35PM (3/14/2008)
with those headlights and that grille, I can't help but think of the modern Punisher symbol.
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PJ 6:31PM (3/14/2008)
I cannot for the life of me comprehend the appeal of this or BMW's X6.
You get the cabin volume, cargo space, and off-road uselessness of a compact sedan, plus the high-Cog-degraded handling and crap mileage of a larger crossover. The worst of both worlds.
With A4 wagons sitting in the same showroom, only the most stunted fashion slaves will see value here...
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Ray 9:29PM (3/14/2008)
It's all about what's in. I'd take an Audi wagon over that anyday, but I have a feeling that's not how the majority feels.
I have to say, it's at least interesting looking. Not beautiful by any means, but certainly not boring.
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993C4S 10:08AM (3/15/2008)
Damon,
Thanks for the response and for understanding my position. As I said initially, my rant/vent was not meant to be directed at you or to single you out. It just so happened that I commented on your post. :-)
I agree that AutoBlog is one of, if not THE top Automotive blogs currently available (especially given your breadth of subject matter and expertise). In fact, that is part of my point. I'm generalizing here, and if the stats show otherwise let me know, but I doubt that the majority of readers check your sources. Subscribers and surfers alike read what is written and take it at face value as fact (I've been guilty of this many time).
I understand your obligation to report on significant events and do not propose that it should be changed. I'm simply suggesting it might be interesting to cite sources more specifically, when available, in the article itself vs a link back to the original story that was the catalyst for the content in the first place.
Thanks for listening.
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skant 12:17PM (3/17/2008)
avant ftw
where are the diesel engines for all of these new models?
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