What's all this about?
At the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, Audi has whipped the covers off three exciting new products. The first of these we already knew about, the model in question being the much-expected Cabriolet version of the A5 and S5 family that we've already got in Coupe and Sportback formats. Being obvious doesn't mean these four-seat open-tops will be any the less desirable, though, so expect big things from the convertible A5s. However, alongside those cars are two rather more intriguing machines.
Which are...?
A pair of SUVs. The first is the Q8 Concept - no, not named in honour of everyone's favourite founding member of OPEC, but instead the 'coupe' version of the Q7. It loses quite a bit of practicality as a result, then, as it's only a four-seater, compared to the Q7's complement of seven chairs. However, the Q8 Concept makes up for that with a wealth of futuristic, show-stopping tech.
Such as?
It's a plug-in hybrid vehicle rated at 450hp and 700Nm, while inside it has a flashy dashboard that features an improved version of the Virtual Cockpit, a grander central touchscreen and a head-up display with virtual reality augmentation. Not only that, but it sits on air suspension, has carbon ceramic brake discs... oh, and quattro all-wheel drive. Naturally. It also looks pretty tasty and previews Audi's future design direction, although when Audi starts trying to say there are touches of the Ur-Quattro in the Q8 (specifically, in that flat, wide C-pillar and courtesy of the wide shoulders over the wheels) we start to become juuuust a little more cynical.
OK, enough of the Q8. What's the other SUV?
It's the SQ5.
That's not new though, is it?
It is, because this is the Q5 MkII's fresh range-topper. It uses the badge we're all familiar with from the first generation of this particular SUV, but the motive power has changed. The SQ5 is no longer diesel and instead now comes with a 3.0-litre TFSI V6 petrol engine.
So have we got huge power and performance gains to chat about, then?
Ah. No. Now this one's a bit odd, and something of a gamble by Audi, we feel. Take a good look at all the MkI Q5s you see tooling about our roads and a healthy proportion of them are SQ5s; it's very popular, maybe because it's one of the few genuine performance SUVs that comes with a diesel engine for the best balance of speed-to-frugality. That original SQ5 delivered 313hp and 650Nm, making it good for the de rigueur 155mph limited maximum of anything remotely potent and German, while also adding in stats of 5.1 seconds for a 0-62mph time, fuel economy of 41.5mpg and 179g/km of CO emissions.
Riiight... so what does the new SQ5 do?
With the 3.0 V6 lifted straight from its application in the S5 Coupe, we now have 354hp (good, good...) and 500Nm (oh...). That means it has a 0-62mph sprint best of 5.4 seconds, while it can only hit 34mpg and 189g/km CO2 in the process. So it's slower and thirstier than the old SQ5.
OK, so you think Audi has really dropped the ball?
Probably not. It should still sell like hot cakes, coming (as it does) with a technology and equipment roster that includes an eight-speed Tiptronic automatic gearbox, quattro all-wheel drive, an optional sport differential that can split torque between the rear wheels, standard-fit dynamic damper control, optional air suspension, S sport seats in Alcantara/leather, LED headlights, 20-inch alloy wheels and more.
Sounds good - so when do the Q8 and SQ5 go on sale?
The Q8 will hit showrooms some time in 2018; the SQ5 will be in German Audi dealerships this summer, so expect it on UK roads into the latter half of 2017.
Matt Robinson - 10 Jan 2017