Drivetrain

Each version of the Q5 is factory-equipped with a transmission tailored for it – a six-speed manual transmission, sporty seven-speed S tronic or the convenient eight-speed tiptronic. All transmissions are characterized by a high level of efficiency, precise operation and wide selection of gear ratios: the lower gears have close, sporty ratios, while the upper gears have wide ratios to reduce engine revs. The differential is located in front of the clutch and the torque converter, which shifts the front axle to a far forward position. This results in a longer wheelbase and a well-balanced distribution of axle loads.

Among the four-cylinder engines, a manual transmission is standard. Its weight is low, and the method used to mount the shifter forks decouples the gear shift lever from vibrations. The driver information system with an efficiency program, which is standard on the Q5, includes a gear shift indicator. The manual transmissions are coupled to the engine’s thermal management system. A heating circuit in the heat exchanger quickly brings the transmission fluid up to temperature after a cold start; if the engine coolant is hot enough, a portion of its heat is transferred to the transmission.

The eight-speed tiptronic, standard in the 3.0 TFSI and an option in the 2.0 TFSI, is new to the Q5 model series. One factor contributing to the high efficiency of the fast and very comfortably shifting torque-converter transmission is a highly efficient oil pump. Another is heating of the transmission fluid within the thermal management system. A hydraulic reservoir supports start-stop functionality: When the engine is restarted, stored fluid is pressed into the system – and the tiptronic is ready to start within a very short time.

The seven-speed S tronic is standard with the 3.0 TDI and is an option in the 2.0 TDI developing 130 kW (177 hp). It is the most sporty transmission system in the Q5, and it consists of two sub-transmissions served by two clutches. Sequential shifting is performed by switching over the clutches; this takes just a few hundredths of a second and occurs nearly imperceptibly. As in the eight-speed tiptronic, the S tronic controller offers a fully automatic mode with the D (Drive) mode and S (Sport) mode; as an alternative, the driver can shift gears manually.

The quattro permanent four-wheel drive is standard for all engine versions except the 2.0 TDI developing 105 kW (143 hp), which drives the front wheels. The central component in the drivetrain is the limited-slip center ­differential. In normal driving, it distributes 40 percent of engine power to the front wheels and 60 percent to the rear wheels. If wheel slip occurs, most of the power is shifted to the other axle – up to 70 percent can be shifted to the front and up to 85 percent to the rear.

Wheel-selective torque control is an ideal supplement to the quattro drive system. In fast curve driving, the intelligent software solution detects when one of the wheels on the inside of the curve is about to lose its grip. Just before slip occurs, it brakes the wheel with a very slight, nearly imperceptible intervention – this improves handling and makes driving even safer.

The equipment and data specified in this document refer to the model range offered in Germany. Subject to change without notice; errors and omissions excepted.