Q5 European Car: 2009 Audi Q5 3.2 - First Drive

[Bartek S.]

The upside of $4-a-gallon gasoline is that gargantuan vehicles aren't making sense to most shoppers anymore. Audi happens to have a perfect solution in its newest SUV, the Q5. Initially, this smaller luxury SUV will be powered by Audi's direct injection 270hp 3.2-liter V6. It proves more than powerful enough to move around the Q5 either on or off-road. The U.S. market will only see a six-speed torque converter automatic, but how many people would really buy one of these with a manual anyway? Certainly not me. All vehicles will also come equipped with Quattro all-wheel drive, making it truly capable in any condition.
One option we wouldn't be able to live without on the Q5 is the Audi Dynamic Ride Select. It controls virtually all aspects of the vehicle's responses to turn a luxury cruiser into a family-hauling canyon carver at the push of a button. We found ourselves playing with it all day just because we couldn't believe the amount of difference it actually made. Not only will it tighten the suspension, but also controls the steering ratio. Several companies offer variable steering assist but Audi has taken it a step further by varying required steering angle input for a much sportier feel. Three DRS modes are available on the dash but it is also completely programmable through the MMI interface.

Read more: europeancarweb

 

[JadeVetti]

It looks like the Q7 truly birthed it, there's no denying that baby!

Much cuter than its competitors, much cuter--