Audi SQ5 TDI RETURNS - and there's and SQ5 TDI Vorsprung too

Audi SQ5 TDI returns

The Audi SQ5 TDI returns to Audi’s range in the UK, sporting 342bhp from its 3.0 V6 diesel engine and hits 62mph in 5.1 seconds.

Diesel cars are rapidly declining in popularity, but it’s hard to ignore the appeal of the new Audi SQ5 TDI, diesel engine or not.

That appeal rests almost solely on the impressive 3.0 V6 diesel under the SQ5’s bonnet, which gets a 48V mild hybrid system to power a compressor and all but eliminate turbo lag. The result is 342bhp and an extremely healthy 516lb/ft or torque. It’s more appealing than the petrol SQ5.

The power goes through an eight-speed auto ‘box to all four wheels – up to 85 per cent of it to the back – and can scoot to 62mph in a far from lethargic 5.1 seconds.

The 48V mild hybrid system is also capable of recuperating up to 12kW of charge during deceleration, and Audi reckons the small lithium-ion battery can be used to drive short distances at up to 13mph. But they will be very short distances.

The strong supporting act for the SQ5’s engine is the chassis fettling, with active dampers, torque vectoring, adaptive steering and bigger brakes, with 20″ alloys, LED headlights, tweaked bumpers, new rear diffuser and more adding to the spec.

Standard equipment includes Alcantara Sports seats, WiFi hotspot, 12.3″ digital instruments, 8.3″ infotainment and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.

But if all that’s not enough, you can have the new SQ5 TDI with the new Audi Vorsprung option, which adds Nappa leather, B&O Sound, Active Air Suspension, 21″ alloys, and more assistance nannies too.

Audi say the SQ5 TDI will go on sale in the spring, by which time they’ll have worked out prices (Brexit nonsense may be sorted by then).