Audi Q5 to Launch at Los Angeles Show

Sources at Audi have been telling news website Automotive News that the German firm will premiere their Q5 SUV, spied undergoing testing earlier this year, at November's Los Angeles Auto Show, joining 13 other world debut vehicles at the event.

The Q5 follows in the footsteps of its larger Q7 sibling, which launched in March of this year. The new SUV, based on the new A4 platform, will be fast-tracked to the US with American sales starting from early next year, while European customers will be able to order from next summer.

Audi will complement the car's Quattro all-wheel-drive system by offering a full range of engines in the new SUV, offering various four and six-cylinder FSI engines as well as Audi's new range of high-efficiency diesel units with the 2.0-litre four-pot and 3.0-litre V6 TDIs the most likely to be featured. The 4.2-litre V8 unit may very well make it to an S-line version. Transmission choices are between the six-speed manual or new seven-speed DSG gearbox.

The Q5 is expected to be equipped with adjustable air suspension and hill-descent control, although unlike its big brother the Q7, will seat only five.

The car will be built at Audi's Ingolstadt site after some 300 million euros of development costs, rivalling the likes of Mercedes-Benz's GLK and BMW's X3. Stay tuned for our coverage of the LA Show, which runs from 16th to 25th November. (Press Days being two days prior to public opening.)