More Forbidden Fruit Drops From Audi's Vine
Published: June 16th, 2012
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Even though crossovers tend to get their share of criticism at TTAC, the Audi SQ5, despite its silly name, is more desirable than the average mommy-mobile.
The SQ5 immediately scores points for being an oil-burner. The twin-turbo diesel V6 puts out 313 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, bringing it to 60 mph in a Camry-besting 5 seconds. Audi has even but a “sound actuator” inside the car to pipe engine sounds into the cabin. Combined fuel economy is somewhere around 32 mpg. At $74,000, even Roman Polanski has a better chance of coming Stateside.
More by Derek Kreindler
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$74,000 and it still looks plain. Even the CR-V has a more interesting exterior design.
Sigh, another Europe Only Audi. USA Environmental regulations make it difficult/expensive for the foreign automakers to bring those stateside. In fact, you cannot buy any Audi TDI with Quattro in the USA because of Audi's worry that it reduces fuel economy by 1 mpg (that's right, a pitiful 1 mpg).
This thing will not be poster fodder. Then again, neither is my Escape.
The problem with bringing the SQ5 to the US market is that once the 150 or so enthusiasts pony up the bucks (let's assume that at price parity Audi of America listed this sucker for $55,000), who else will buy it? If you are in the US and can afford $55,000 you'll likely want a Q7, or save money and get a loaded 3.2, or a 2.0T if fuel economy is your thing. I'd love to see these cars as BTO or sold order options in the US, and I believe that once Audi has expanded its US customer base sufficiently they'll be able to, but right now it just doesn't make any sense at all.