Audi SQ5 TDI is a performance diesel crossover we won’t get

There’s no way

Audi

brings this performance

diesel crossover

to the states, but the

SQ5

TDI is now official, and it has an electric component. Similar to the

SQ7 TDI

, this powertrain includes an electric powered compressor and 48-volt mild-hybrid system. The little compressor helps out in low revs when exhaust gas flow doesn’t provide enough energy to drive the traditional turbocharger, eliminating that lag we traditionally feel upon throttle tip-in on turbocharged cars. Audi says it’s helpful up to 1,650 rpm.

A total powertrain output of 347 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque is on tap between the 3.0-liter turbo-diesel and electric system. Audi quotes “acceleration to highway speeds” (we’ll assume 62 mph) is 5.1 seconds, along with a limited 155 mph top speed. The 48-volt system operates in a similar way to others — Audi says it simply refined the SQ7 TDI’s setup for this

diesel

. The performance

crossover

is capable of shutting its engine off at up to 13.7 mph while coasting to a stop. Performance improvements have been made to Audi’s 3.0-liter diesel V6 for the performance crossover, too. The crankshaft, pistons, connecting rods and oil management have been “specially configured” for the

SQ5

. There’s also a “sound actuator” in the exhaust system that supposedly gives the

diesel car

a better exhaust note.

Shifting is handled by an eight-speed automatic transmission with close ratios in the first few gears to get the big crossover moving quicker. Permanent Quattro all-wheel drive is the standard drivetrain setup, capable of sending up to 85 percent of the power to the rear wheels. An optional sport differential provides torque vectoring to the rear wheels, greatly reducing understeer, according to Audi.

Suspension improvements are aplenty with a 1.2-inch lower ride height under the

normal Q5

. Adjustable dampers allow you to stiffen the ride up when you’d like for better handling. Most everything else is normal

Audi Q5

fare. Visual enhancements for the SQ5 TDI are noticeable but not outlandish by any means. The green pictured here is especially attractive. Germany will get this vehicle first, and it will go on sale starting at 67,750 euros, or about $77,000. That’s far more expensive than our gasoline powered

SQ5

here, but we don’t get Audi’s 48-volt mild-hybrid system in the U.S.

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