Audi Q5 Custom Concept

Audi has revealed the Audi Q5 Custom Concept at The Wörthersee Tour in Austria

The Audi Q5 is a great, sensible sized 4×4. It excels in the same areas as Audi’s recently facelifted Audi Q7, but in a much more manageable-sized package. And its market-place is undoubtedly ‘Yummie-Mummies’ and those seeking a sensible, and well-equipped, 4×4.

So why, you may ask, has Audi gone all ‘Pimp My Ride’ on us with the otherwise sensible Q5? The answer is simple – The Wörthersee Tour.

The Wörthersee Tour is an annual gathering of VW and Audi fans in Wörthersee, Austria, where GTI tuners and modders gather to show and seek the best in customising for their beloved Audis and Volkswagens. And Audi turns up with something to please the ‘Tourers’ every year. This time they’ve brought along the new Audi R8 V10, the very good Audi TT RS and even the A1 Sportback Concept. But likely to grab most of the attention is the somewhat OTT Audi Q5 Custom Concept car.

Audi have taken the sensible Q5 and gone a bit berserk. They’ve taken the standard 3.0 litre petrol engine and modified it, with a re-mapped ECU, modified air intakes and an active exhaust, and managed to up the normal 333bhp to 404bhp. In the process they’ve created a jacked-up hot-hatch that manages 0-60mph in 4.3 seconds.

But it’s not just engine mods on the Q5 Custom Concept. Audi has fitted big 21″ rims, lowered the ride height and widened the track. They’ve also showcased a new Audi custom colour – Matt Silver (which will be available across the range soon) – thrown in a panoramic sunroof , added a big bracing strut and painted on some ‘Subtle’ orange highlights.

I somehow can’t see Audi churning many Q5s out of the factory to this spec. But it’s an interesting exercise.