Audi is working hard to improve the fuel economy of its compact crossover, the mildly-refreshed-for-2013 Q5. Gone is the 3.2-liter V-6 from the lineup, and added is the Q5 hybrid and the Q5 TDI turbo-diesel. The hybrid is powered by a 208-hp 2.0-liter turbo four and a 1.3-kW lithium-ion battery combining for a system output of 241 hp and 354 lb-ft of torque—we’ve previously tested this setup in the Euro-spec Q5 hybrid. And all that gas-electric power tucked neatly into Audi’s crossover has been given EPA-approved ratings: 24 mpg in the city and 30 on the highway.
- First Drive: 2013 Audi Q5
- Comparison Test: 2011 Volkswagen Touareg V6 TDI vs. 2011 Touareg Hybrid
- Comparison Test: 2012 BMW X5 M vs. 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG, 2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo
Those numbers are slightly less impressive that we’d imagined, but it provides some context for what Audi and Mercedes-Benz are claiming their diesel-powered compact crossovers will be capable of mileage-wise. The Q5 TDI—which will be powered by the VW Group’s ubiquitous 245-hp, 3.0-liter V-6 turbo-diesel—is set to arrive on U.S. soil in the summer of 2013. EPA-rated estimates for that vehicle aren’t available yet, but Audi claims that its diesel crossover will be good for 37 mpg combined—although that should be taken with an unhealthy amount of salt considering that number comes from the über-optimistic European cycle. Benz claims its oil-burning GLK250 BlueTec achieves 39 mpg on the same cycle. Considering the now-official numbers of the Q5 hybrid, it looks like we could be treated to quite the battle for mpg supremacy among German compact crossovers. Read full story »
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/caranddriver/blog/~3/kqOFQSVeKtM/
Mack Hellings Brian Henton Johnny Herbert Al Herman Hans Herrmann
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