Performance Review: Audi Q5 SQ5 3.0 V6 TD - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi Q5 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi Q5 SQ5 3.0 V6 TD is the 8 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2012. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged.This particular Audi Q5 has a 2967cc Turbo Diesel powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Diesel V6's includes the 2019 Audi A4 S4 TDI 3.0 V6

The Q5 shares its Diesel V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Audi A4 S4 TDI 3.0 V6 and the 2016 Audi A6 3.0 TDI BiTurbo Quattro Tiptronic. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Q5's All Wheel Drive, SUV combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1995 kgs (4398 lbs) this makes the Audi Q5 SQ5 3.0 V6 TD in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW 8 Series M850i xDrive 4.4 V8 Turbo G15 or the give or take 50kg.

The Audi Q5 shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 2967cc 24V V6 engine produces 309 bhp (230 kW) @ 3900 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Turbo V6 throws out 479 lb-ft (649.4 Nm) @ 1450 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Chevrolet Corvette E-Ray 6.2 V8 Petrol Hybrid C8 (470 lb-ft) or the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 (460 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Audi Q5 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (179.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi Q5.

The Audi Q5 has a Power to weight ratio of 154.8 bhp per ton and 240.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 Q5 competing with the 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (179.8 bhp per ton) or the 1999 Audi A8 4.2 V8 Quattro (179.7 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Audi Q5 generating around 240.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2017 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Diesel (265.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1995 Porsche 911 Turbo 993 (264.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.1 secs, this made the Audi Q5 SQ5 3.0 V6 TD as fast as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (4.90 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.90 secs) the or the 2020 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Touring (4.90 secs). This Audi Q5 SQ5 3.0 V6 TD is also faster than the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 Turbo FL5 (5.00 secs) the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the and the 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (5.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Q5 and the 1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale 7.5L V8

When talking about the performance of the Audi Q5 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.76 secs @ 92.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1970 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale 7.5L V8 (14.70 secs), the 2007 Vauxhall-Opel Vectra 2.8T V6 VXR (14.70 secs), and the 2004 Honda S2000 2.2i (14.72 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the Audi Q5 SQ5 3.0 V6 TD has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 Q5 equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2012 Audi Q5 SQ5 3.0 V6 TD then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2012 Q5 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison