What's all this about?

It's a third generation of the Audi Q5 family SUV, but even though this one is once again powered by internal-combustion engines - all mild-hybrid-enhanced, admittedly - the German company says it will be the last Q5 packing such things under its bonnet. Anyway, let's not lament things which have not yet come to pass; instead know that the Mk3 Q5 sits on the PPC.

What's that, then?

The Premium Platform Combustion, which so far has only been used for one other Audi, the new A5 that was once the A4. From launch, the Q5 will come with a pair of 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged engines with 204hp: one is a petrol so wears a TFSI badge and has 340Nm; the other is a diesel (TDI) and boasts a little more grunt with 400Nm.

For those who want some more oomph, though, the SQ5 is back from launch. It has flipped and flopped a bit over the years between deciding if it's a diesel or a petrol model, the original going with torquey turbodiesel power. But as fashions - and consumer choices - changed, the second-generation version launched as a TFSI petrol... and was rather underwhelming for it, as well. So Audi then switched it back to TDI power and improved things. Nevertheless, we've returned to a TFSI unit once more, with the Mk3 SQ5 running a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 developing 367hp and 550Nm.

There are plenty of commonalities between these three launch powertrains for the Q5/SQ5 line, though. While the base TFSI comes with front-wheel drive as standard, you can option up quattro AWD for it if you want, whereas both the TDI and SQ5 are quattro as standard. All three of these are equipped with the seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch gearbox, while they're also all 48-volt mild hybrids, complete with an 18kW (24hp)/230Nm starter-generator and a 1.7kWh lithium-ion battery. Official, homologated economy and CO₂ figures haven't been released as yet, but expect Audi to claim this MHEV gear makes a positive difference to the SUV's green credentials.

Q5 fans with a real environmental slant, though, might want to wait for one of the brace of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) that are already confirmed as in the pipeline for the third-generation range. These will have either 299- or 367hp (yes, the same as the SQ5, in the latter instance), and a battery big enough to go more than 50 miles on electric power alone. They will, as ever with Audi's PHEVs, be sold under the 'TFSI e' banner.

A decent selection of engines there. What about the chassis, looks and interior?

Apart from the SQ5, all models will have steel springs with passive frequency selective damping (FSDs), but buyers can option up full air suspension with adaptive damper control chucked in. There's also an optional sports suspension set-up, most likely which will come with S line specification (once confirmed), but the SQ5 gets that as standard. Every (S)Q5 model is also fitted with Audi's variable-ratio progressive steering, as well.

On the outside, it's less bubbly than the Mk1 and not quite as angular as the Mk2, with clear influences from the likes of the Q4 e-tron and the recently launched Q6 e-tron SUVs. It looks fine, if a little anonymous, but the eight selectable LED light signatures - including one where the rear lights 'glimmer' when they're in operation - give it some individuality. There are also 11 body colours and alloy wheels ranging from 17 to 21 inches in size to go at, with anything up to 19 inches in diameter being aerodynamically optimised to further reduce fuel consumption.

Inside, the Q5 is much like the aforementioned Q6 e-tron, A5 line-up and also the A6 e-tron family, featuring Audi's big 'Digital Stage' construct on the dashboard. This comprises the 11.9-inch Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster and the main 14.5-inch MMI infotainment control screen, but there are even more options including a head-up display and the 10.9-inch Passenger Display Screen. Otherwise, material quality is generally excellent throughout and there are some warm, homely touches to make the Audi SUV's cabin feel a little less austere, like softly diffused ambient lighting.

We'll get more details on performance, economy/CO₂ emissions, and indeed our prices and specs in October, when Audi UK confirms more details about the new third-generation Q5 range.