Audis performance diesel SAC (sports activity coupe), has been updated for the 2021 model year, with Audi finally giving it the same diesel engine as its SQ5 SUV brother, which also has it downsides as we will soon discover.
We are talking about 3.0 liter V6, which paired to 48V mild-hybrid system, now develops a healthy 341 horsepower and 700 Nm of torque, which is actually 6 horsepower less than the last years model. That coupled with quattro all wheel drive system and automatic transmission is still enough for a dash to 100 km/h in 5,1 seconds and electronically limited top speed at 250 km/h. This should be enough to scare off most hotshots in their hot hatches, yet at the same time being super economical on the long drive.
Main mechanical changes were done deep within the engine itself. It now has forged steel pistons instead of aluminium ones, new piezoelectric sensor that monitors the valve injectors, light compressor wheel, short air intake routes and indirect water-air cooler for the intercooler.
In comparison with the normal facelifted Q5 Sportback, SQ5 Sportback rides on 20 inch wheels standard, with 21 inch optional for those who really don’t like comfort at all. It also features upgraded brakes and S sport suspension with damper control.
Like the normal facelifted Q5, Audi also made some styling tweaks to the exterior and the interior of the new SQ5 Sportback. It features revised headlights with distinctive DRL signature, and OLED taillights on the outside, and the third generation infotainment system paired to 10.1 inch touchscreen on the inside. Audis great virtual cockpit is standard on the SQ5, so are many other things, which are optional on lesser models.
Made at the San Jose Chiapa factory in Mexico, the 2021 Q5 Sportback and SQ5 Sportback TDI can already be ordered in Europe and will launch in international markets before mid-2021. For China, the vehicle is built at the Changchun facility.
