Reference Auto

German luxury car giants BMW and Mercedes-Benz have been slugging it out for the top slot in the burgeoning Indian luxury cars market and Audi is also ramping up its range to give its German peers a reason to worry about with the launch of the Audi Q5 2.0 TDI quattro, the latest version of the company’s popular luxury SUV in India.

The latest variant will come for about Rs 39,05,000 and the intense competition has prompted the company to put deliveries on the fast lane, that is, from this month itself.

“We are bullish that the addition of the powerful 2.0 TDI q engine to the Audi Q5 range in India will beef up and sustain our leadership position in the luxury SUV segment. The new Audi Q5 2.0 TDI q has higher efficiency and dynamic performance with its new engine and refreshed set of characteristics,” Michael Perschke, Audi India head, averred.

The Audi Q5 range is propelled by a petrol engine — the 2.0 TFSI q and a diesel engine — the 3.0 TDI q. The new 2.0 TDI q engine would come as a completely knocked down unit, thereby attracting heavy duty.

Despite this, the price is attractive and this could prompt many luxury car buyers to flock for the Audi Q5 2.0 TDI quattro.

The Audi Q52.0 TDI q, made to deliver dynamic performance, produces 125 kW /170 hp that touches a maximum torque of 350 Nm at 1,750 rpm.

“This stellar performance reinforces the higher aspiration for technical finesse and progressive sophistication among luxury automotive customers in India. Audi India will continue to ramp up product line up and deliver path-breaking and award-winning cars to cater to this rising demand,” Perschke added.

The Audi Q5 petrol variant can reach 100 km per hour in just 7.2 seconds and touch a top speed of 222 km per hour while the diesel variant can reach 100 km per hour in 6.5 seconds only. It can achieve a top speed of 225 km per hour.

The Audi Q5 range, with five seats, offers enhanced safety features including anti-lock braking system or ABS, traction control, skid-proof system, dual front and rear side curtain airbags.

The Audi Q5 cars also have features such as three-zone surround climate control, navigation system with real-time traffic information, rear-view camera, power tailgate, keyless entry and start, along with a wireless cell phone link. It also provides driver control of engine, transmission and steering.

The Q5 cars also feature multi-media interface system that uses dashboard screen and knob to control audio, navigation and suspension, among other functions.

The Audi range of cars in the country include Audi A4, Audi A6, Audi A8, Audi Q5, Audi Q7, Audi TT, the super sports car Audi R8 and the recently-launched Audi R8 Spyder.

Audi has good presence in the Indian luxury SUV market and the company is cashing on its reputation in this segment to shore up sales through the launch of new products.

Although behind BMW and Mercedes-Benz, Audi has been a potential threat to its German peers. It sold 3,003 cars in 2010, surpassing its target for the second time in a row and its growth in sales stood at a whopping 81 per cent!

Audi is also shoring up its dealership network substantially, and this move, along with launches like the Audi Q5 2.0 TDI quattro, could take its sales figures even closer to that of Mercedes-Benz and BMW.