Audi’s new SQ5 SUV has arrived in Bahrain. 

With a supercharged 354 hp 3.0 litre TFSI V6 engine, the model sprints from zero to 100 kmph in 5.3 seconds and onto a top speed of 250 kmph. 

Unveiled in the Middle East at the 2016 Qatar Motor Show earlier this year, the Audi SQ5 is now available at the Audi Centre Bahrain showroom.

“The Audi Q5 has established itself as a leader in terms of comfort, versatility and dynamism. We’re excited to introduce the agile and top-of-the-range Audi SQ5 to our customers as a sporty step up from this already exceptional premium SUV,” commented Audi Bahrain Sales Manager Allen Blake.  

“The SQ5 redefines what a premium sport crossover can be. Its powerful performance promises plenty of fun for sports car enthusiasts, whilst its luxurious exterior and interior details cater to the style-conscious.” 

The Audi SQ5 is the first ever SUV to be powered by a free-revving, supercharged, 3.0 litre V6 gasoline engine, with a displacement of 2,995 cc. Its compressor sits in the 90-degree V of the cylinder banks and is belt-driven by the crankshaft. Two rotors inside the supercharger spin at over 20,000 rpm. The air gap between them is just a few thousandths of a millimetre. The supercharger compresses the intake air to as much as 0.8 bar; two intercoolers then cool it for greater power. 

The compressor is located downstream of the throttle valve. Its drive requires little engine power as the density of the intake air is very low at loads below the supercharging level and when coasting. Torque develops early and quickly due to the short gas paths downstream of the supercharger

The 3.0 TFSI engine produces 354 hp between 6,000 and 6,500 rpm, and delivers 470 Nm of torque to the crankshaft between 4,000 and 4,500 rpm. The sprint from zero to 100 km/h takes just 5.3 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 kmph. 

The SUV consumes on average 8.5 litres of fuel per 100 km in the NEDC. 

The dynamism of the powerhouse is intelligently transferred to the road by quattro permanent all-wheel drive with torque vectoring. It ensures each wheel receives exactly the right amount of thrust needed at any given moment. With the eight-speed tiptronic, fast-shifting automatic transmission, the driver can choose between the D (normal) programme and the S (sport) programme to make the drive even more individual. The driver can also switch gears manually via the standard shift paddles on the steering wheel.

The chassis of the Audi SQ5 lowers the body 30 mm. The S suspension springs and shock absorbers are more tautly tuned for a sporty and balanced driving style. The 20 inch wheels are fitted with 255/45 series tyres. The brake calipers on the front axle sport the stylish SQ5 badge. The electromechanical steering not only plays a major role in the efficiency of the SQ5, it also provides a very precise road feel for sports car purists. Audi also offers the optional dynamic steering with a seamlessly variable ratio. The controls are integrated in the optional Audi drive select system, which allows the driver to switch among several modes in various systems.

The sleek, spacious design of the Audi SQ5 incorporates a distinctive bumper and roof spoiler for the best on-road impression. Experts will immediately see that the vehicle belongs to the S family by the horizontal aluminium-look double chrome bars of the single-frame grille in platinum gray, or by the SQ5 badges on the radiator grille and at the rear. V6 T badges adorn the front fenders, whilst the gloss package and exterior mirrors in aluminium-look accentuate the windows. 

Sophisticated sportiness carries over to the interior. Even the instrument cluster has a unique S design with gray dials, white numerals and newly designed aluminium-look needle hubs. The pedals and shift paddles complement the interior design with a shiny aluminium-look finish. 

Other feature include xenon plus headlights with LED daytime driving lights, a stainless-steel loading-sill protector, MMI navigation plus and Bluetooth. 

The model is also equipped with a Bang & Olufsen sound system which, with 14 speakers and 505 W of power. 

An array of optional, additional assistance and infotainment systems are also available to choose from for the SUV.