What? No RS Q5?
There’s no shortage of RS models in the range these days. Kicked off by the RS2 Avant way back in 1994, just about everything Audi makes these days is available with RennSport power. Heck, even the crossovers get that treatment.
But one model that’s notably absent is an RS-fied Q5. Presently, there’s the RS Q3, RS Q3 Sportback, and RS 8 for Audi’s high-performance crossover range. Audi has never made an RS Q5, and the top model was always the SQ5. Meanwhile its rivals, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, came up the X3 M and GLC 63, respectively. Is it for fears that it might take away sales from the RS4 Avant? Only Audi knows the answer to that.
ABT
ABT Holds the Key
Admittedly, we’d choose the RS4 or RS6 Avant or any other hot wagon over a performance crossover any day of the week, but there are those who’d prefer their road rockets with a little more ground clearance. Still, for those who’d like a Q5 a cut above the SQ5, they’ll have to go to aftermarket specialists for that.
That, ladies and gentlemen, is where ABT Sportsline steps in. ABT has been a longtime tuning house for Audi and other Volkswagen Group products. On top of that, the company has been Audi’s motorsports collaborator and one of the automaker’s factory teams in touring cars and GT racing.
ABT
Say Hello to the ABT Audi SQ5
Because there’s still no official word for the RS Q5, ABT took a Q5 and gave it RS levels of power. The 3.0 TFSI V6 engine benefits from the ABT Power S performance upgrade. The ECU bumps the power from 362 hp and 405 lb-ft, all the way to 435 hp and 442 lb-ft. Okay, it still pales in comparison to the outgoing X3 M, But any boost in power is always welcome.
The extra horses are then complemented by tweaks to the chassis. The suspension has been lowered by 1.7 inches thanks to springs by ABT. It effectively deletes the air suspension fitted to some models, although there is the option to forgo that. As for the wheels, it gets 22-inch ABT EVO alloys finished in gloss black and shod in 255/35 ZR22 tires.
ABT
Other Highlights?
There’s a quad exhaust arrangement with larger pipes, along with a relatively subtle kit for the front and rear bumpers and the side skirts. The tailgate spoiler is also an ABT special, while special floormats and ambient lighting can be fitted to the crossover.
The whole package goes for €20,000, which is roughly around $22,000 at current conversion rates. That includes the upgraded ECU, the suspension kit, the 22-inch wheels, the body kit, and the interior enhancements. If that sounds like a lot, customers can go for more individual options, so you can go for the added power and be on your merry way.
Mind you, this isn’t the first time ABT has had a little fun with the Q5 platform, so we could say that there is a niche for these fast compact crossovers. So, Audi, can we expect an official RS Q5 soon?
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