Audi Q5 SUV will be launched in 2009. The mid-sized SUV is expected to be positioned for the in the market against the BMW X3 market. Publicly, BMW prefers to the upcoming Mercedes GLK SUV as its competitor, not the Q5, claiming that the Audi SUV is not a premium vehicle like BMW’s product.

For an SUV, the Audi Q5 is extremely aerodynamic featuring a drag coefficient of 0.33. Light, spacious and good looking, the Audi Q5 is 4.63 m long and 1.88m tall, with a wheelbase of 2.81 meters. The low weight of 1731 kg is achieved by the liberal use of aluminum everywhere.

The Q5 will feature Quattro permanent all-wheel drive distributing power in a 40:60 split between the front and rear wheels, which will give it slightly rear-biased, sporty characteristics. The suspension will be a five-link front unit trapezoidal-link rear set-up.

Audi has said that  the Q5 will have automatic air conditioning and an eight speaker infotainment system as standard features.

Q5 will also have MMI navigation plus with 40 gig hard drive and DVD drive, a Bluetooth phone, a TV tuner, an intelligent speech control system, digital radio reception, an interface for an iPod or MP3 player with USB connection and a high-end sound system. The Audi parking system would comprise a parking aid with rear-view camera, lane assist alerts and side assist alerts.

It will boast of luggage space of 540-litres, which is further expandable to 1560-litres with rear-seats folded. Maximum payload will be 580kg. Safety aspects are improved too, which include seat-rail sensors up front which calculates seat position and adapts airbag deployment accordingly.

Audi plans to present the Q5 with three powertrain options in the initial phase, two of which would be turbodiesels, and a single petrol.

Adaptive cruise control, hill descent control, a 200 mm ground clearance and parking assist shuld keep most buyers happy.