The first generation of Audi Q5 (marked as 8R) has been introduced in 2008 at Beijing Auto Show and the Los Angeles Auto Show. After a big success of Q7, Audi decided to release a smaller version of the SUV. Q5 was based on the Audi MLB platform (which has been used also in Audi A4, A5, A6, A7, A8, Porsche Macan, and second generation of Audi Q7). As we all know, Q5 is not an offroad vehicle - it's massive but this segment-D car is perfect to use in the city.
Q5 I has been equipped with different engine options:
- - gasoline: 2.0 TFSI, 3.2 FSI, and 3.0 TFSI;
- - diesel: 2.0 TDI and 3.0 TDI;
There was also a hybrid version of the 2.0 TFSI engine, supported by a 45 HP electrical engine.
In 2012 Audi introduced a facelift version of Audi Q5: the design of headlamps, grille, and bumpers has been changed. From 2012 there was also an SQ5 TDI version with a 3.0 TDI engine with 313 HP. Audi Q5 I since the very beginning was one of the most popular SUVs in its category. The direct competitors of Q5 are BMW X3 and MB GLK.