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With the introduction of the all-new Audi Q5 crossover, Audi of America launched a Driving Feel event which takes identify in selected cities across U.South. The outcome provides a hands-on driving experience to anyone interested in testing the Q5 and learning more than nearly the technology of this new Audi crossover.

Ii weeks ago, the bout stopped in Chicago, our dwelling turf, and nosotros decided to sign upwards for the Driving Experience. I'thousand sure many of you lot wonder why would we accept washed that since we are obviously a BMW-centric website, but earlier you jump to any conclusions – yes, we are nonetheless very much so in love with our bimmers – we can only answer your question: nosotros wanted to accept a easily-on experience with the Q5 since information technology has been marketed as a direct competitor to the X3, the smaller BMW Sports Activity Vehicle.

Since I own a BMW X3 iii.0, driving the Q5 would requite me the opportunity to objectively compare the two vehicles from all the possible angles.

So armed with a photographic camera and an open mind, nosotros drove to Soldier Field, on the shores of Lake Michigan and joined the Audi squad on a beautiful Dominicus. There were more than than thirty Audi Q5 vehicles waiting for existing, future or potential customers. The 3 hr programme starts with a live video presentation of the Q5 and some of the Audi's newest technologies and plans.

Styling

Shortly after, the grouping joins the Audi specialists ready to talk about the Q5 design and engineering science. What we learned hither is that the Audi Q5 measures 15.19 ft (4.63 meters) in length and 6.17 ft (ane.88 meters) broad. It as well measures five.41 ft (1.65 meters) in summit, making it i of the sportier crossovers when compared to its competitors and …..those are quite numerous: Lexus RX350, Volvo XC90, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLK and Infiniti EX.

Many would expect the Q5 to resemble some Volkswagen model, but unlike the bigger Q7, the Q5 does not share the platform with some other model. It likewise looks more than meaty than its larger brother(Q7), a much tighter design. Information technology does somewhat resembles the A4 Avant model, but I wouldn't go farther than that with the design comparison. The chugalug-line pucker seen in the newest Audi vehicles was being referred to past the Audi specialists equally the "Tornado Line". A second emphasis line starts at the cutting-line of the hood and goes forth the sides ending near the rear quarter window. The roof-line forms a downwards slope toward the rear with the clear intention of giving the Q5 a more than sporty wait.

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At a outset glance, the large grille seems your typical Audi design, merely looking closer, I noticed that the Q5 and even the Q7 emphasize more the vertical confined on the grille, where the sedan and coupe models bring out the chromed horizontal bars. While the forepart-end is a winner, I tin can't say the same about the blend rear-terminate design where the curves are far more pronounced that I would want them to be.

Interior

Within, the Audi Q5 is more than spacious than the current BMW X3, offering more than front legroom, 41 inches vs. 40.2 inches in the X3 and likewise more front headroom: 39.4 inches vs 38.i inches. Due to the larger dimensions, the Q5 offers more than rider volume than the X3 – 101.5 cu.ft vs. 90.1 cu.ft – and it is immediately noticeable by someone that is vi.two″ alpine. We already know that the second generation BMW X3 due out in 2010, will increase in size to the dimensions of the first generation X5, so hopefully this gap volition exist closed by BMW in the new design.

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The interior blueprint is what yous would expect from an Audi, loftier quality materials, from the dashboard trim to the soft and comfortable leather. But I did find a few things equally being odd or…maybe washed in a hurry. The two roll buttons on the steering wheel make a quite noisy click when changing radio stations or tracks, a bit discordant wit the overall inside placidity atmosphere.

The in-automobile infotaiment organisation revolves around the Audi'south elevation Multi Media Interface (MMI), 1 of the most intuitive offered by an OEM. The navigation screen is a seven-inch, 800×400 sharp TFT display feeding information out of a 40GB hard bulldoze and an NVIDIA graphics chip which Audi is peculiarly proud of it. The chip gives the possibility of displaying 3-D city model including textured buildings and places of involvement.

The navigation system also stands out with its voice activated commands. The organization tin can be trained to your voice and it is capable of understanding many spoken requests, from "I'chiliad hungry" where information technology starts giving yous the closest restaurants in your area, to  "I need gas" and a list of fuel stations popular upward on the screen. Very useful characteristic especially when driving in a congested city and have no time to play effectually with the navigation controls.

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The audiophiles have not been forgotten and Audi includes a pinnacle of the line Bang and Olufsen sound organisation.

Engine, Functioning and Dynamics

The Audi Q5 present at the event was powered by a 3.2 liter in V6 engine which outputs 270 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque, all of information technology coupled with the Tiptronic gearbox. The height X3 model features a 3.0 liter inline-6 engine producing 260 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of torque, but the new generation will most likely brand use of the iii.0 liter 300 hp twin-turbo engine and more than powerful diesel powerplants.

Later on the technical presentation, I was ready to move onto the driving feel, a far more heady office of this event and an opportunity for myself to compare the Q5 confronting the X3. We started off with a quick exam bulldoze on the beautiful Lake Shore Drive, following closely our Audi guide. It was a bit difficult to really examination the power and dynamics of the Q5 while driving at a legal speed limit and through Chicago traffic, merely that doesn't mean I couldn't push when I had the take a chance. What I've noticed during the highway ride was that the V6 lacks the low and midrange dial of the X3 iii.0 liter inline-six engine, simply once it "kicks in", information technology is able to give you the feeling you lot're looking for. I could say  that the Q5 feels a fleck less athletic, mostly due to the larger size and weight. With the new X3 virtually likely to include the powerful 3.0 liter twin-turbo engine, Audi will be facing a tough challenge, especially keeping those customers who are looking for a more sporty, dynamic and powerful powerplant.

As far as the overall ride, the Q5 feels counterbalanced and secured, a feeling expected from a sport utility vehicle. The ride is too smoother than my X3, which makes it very comfortable on those bumpy roads nosotros have here in Illinois. The steering is non as stiff as you would see in a BMW, merely some people savor this approach which gives them a more comfortable driving experience. Of course, coming from a BMW background I became accustomed to the sporty steering wheels and the in-command feeling given past them.

As far every bit gadgetry, I was impressed past the Audi's side blind spot sensors which triggers xanthous LEDs mounted on the mirrors. The systems works equally designed, but it took me a while to get used to the abiding yellow flashes.

Going back to the main Audi setup area, we were fix to enter the last phase of this issue: driving the Q5 on the mini-track assembled by the Audi folks. At present this is the part I was waiting for and I was ready to see how the famous Quattro behaves through the paces on a closed class. And boy….allow me tell you lot how hard I take pushed the Q5.

Taking the motorcar from 0 to seventy mph then quickly slamming the brakes while going a 90 degree corner was extremely fun, Only…..that wasn't all. The Q5 handled itself superbly with almost no trunk scroll and giving the impression that you're riding a premium sedan rather than an SUV. The motorcar definitely gave me the impression of condom and being in control, peculiarly when the tires screeching sound could be heard from far abroad.

Since I went through the same airtight grade at to the lowest degree 6 times, I have pushed the Q5 more and more each time, alternate driving styles and braking situations. I could certainly say that the testing course designed by Audi was at least medium difficult and challenging, giving the drivers the opportunity to really test the ABS system and the Electronic Stabilization Program. The ABS arrangement does an amazing job and information technology brings the four,200 lbs Q5 to a terminate faster than I expected.

Switching seats with my driving partner, gave me the opportunity to see how the Q5 handles through a different driving fashion and surprisingly once more, it came out rubber from a situation where the car starting to bounce left and correct due to a tardily braking at 70 mph during the aforementioned sharp corner. I learned from the Audi presentation that the ESP and Audi Drive Select features are "responsible" for the improved treatment. The new Quattro system is also RWD biased, offer a BMW-like approach of twoscore/60 forepart-rear dissever, which gives increased handling on the Q5.

Oh…did I mention that our car got the cheque engine light ON? It was quite funny, merely probably due to the astringent testing that the automobile went through.

Now going back to the X3, I have to acknowledge that I've never taken my car on a race track or course, then information technology wouldn't exist fair to brand an cess on the torso scroll, braking and cornering, but hopefully soon I volition have this opportunity during a test at the Performance Centre. All I can say for now is that the X3 felt solid, secured and in control, on those rare situations where avoiding an obstruction on the highway was required.

Bottom line

I started this review by saying that I went in with an open listen and most of import, willing to keep my biased BMW opinion for myself, and I fully kept my hope. Judging the Audi Q5 from a consumer/journalist/blogger perspective was important to this review and I am gear up to tell you that Q5 is an amazingly well executed vehicle coming out of the Ingolstadt gates. It offers the package required by many SUV/Crossover fans: luxury, pattern, performance and rubber.

While I am and volition however be a BMW fan, I accept to acknowledge that the current X3 needs to exist replaced, it has been almost seven years since its first inception and it is time to bring out the latest BMW technology and nearly important, a new, more than appealing design. This has been probably 1 of the biggest complaints I've heard from the BMW customs.  Merely from what nosotros heard in the by, the new 2010 BMW X3 volition bring back the style, functioning and quality expected in a top BMW vehicle.

I hope you lot enjoyed this review and I setup a goal for myself to put an Audi Q5 and BMW X3 through a far more extensive test drive, so stay tuned! Thanks to Alex for joining me at this consequence and also to Audi of America for accepting us during their last session.