The Audi SQ5 TDI is the first S model fitted with a diesel engine in the history of Audi. Powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter diesel engine developing 308 horsepower (313 PS), the SQ5 is capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.1 seconds and can reach an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). Having a diesel under the hood also means that average fuel economy is very reasonable for an SUV – 7.2 liters/100 km (32.7 US mpg) to be exact.
Everything sounds good on paper, but how does the SQ5 TDI handle on track? Not that anyone is ever going to race it, but just in case that happens, Audi wanted to reassure its customers by handing the SQ5 TDI over to its endurance racing driver Allan McNish.
The Scotsman drove it on the Silverstone track and gave his feedback. Obviously, it’s not a very objective review, but that is to be expected from an Audi works driver. However, McNish is very convincing when he says that the SQ5 TDI doesn’t have the feel of an SUV in corners.
One thing is certain: if he wasn’t one of the most successful endurance racers of all time, Allan McNish would have definitely made a great car salesman.
By Dan Mihalascu
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