The SQ5 is the first diesel powered 'S' car and the first SUV to wear the badge but seemingly that is still not unique enough for Audi. Enter the SQ5 TDI Audi exclusive that will debut at the Paris Motor Show.
Exterior
The Audi SQ5 TDI Audi exclusive concept (to give it its full name) will showcase 'new design solutions in the interior and an exclusive exterior finish' according to Audi. Considering that the standard SQ5 has not gone on sale yet it seems a bit early to be launching new design solutions but...
It seems the engineers in Audi were too busy winning Le Mans and the like to actually do much to the exterior, as the only change appears to be the Aral Blue crystal effect paint work that is exclusive to the concept. Everything else - aluminium mirrors, xenon lights with LED daytime running lamps and four exhaust pipes - are standard on the regular car.
Interior
Thankfully a little more attention was lavished on the SQ5 concept's innards... not a lot though. The leather wrapped steering wheel now features contrasting snow white stitching, as do the centre armrest and dashboard cover. The Nappa leather clad sports seats are also treated to contrasting stitching but the bigger news is the woven leather running down the centre of the seats. The SQ5 TDI Audi exclusive concept marks the first time that woven leather has been used in a production vehicle.
The Alcantara headlining, the sunroof blind and the door inlays are all finished in Audi's new favourite colour, snow white. The inlays are natural grain ash. The open-pored veneer has been specially treated to emphasise the grain. The door trims and the entry sills sport Audi exclusive badges.
Mechanicals
Underneath all the bluster the Exclusive Concept is still a SQ5 at heart, and this is a good thing. The 3.0-litre V6 BiTurbo diesel still churns out 313hp and 650Nm of torque - enough to propel the SUV from 0-100km/h in 5.1 seconds and onto a 250km/h limited top speed.
Anything else?
Despite the concept name Audi will actually put the SQ5 TDI Audi exclusive concept into production. Better hurry though as only 50 cars will be built with a price on Germany of €92,000 - over €30,000 more than the regular SQ5. All are expected to be left-hand drive with no official plans to offer the car in Ireland.