Launched last evening at the Audi Q5 Hub at Suntec Plaza, the all new Audi Q5 is the benchmark premium Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) that strikes the ideal balance between sportiness, sophistication and progressiveness. At the launch, VIP guests were treated to a front row seat to Audi's own automotive fashion show. The show featured a sampling of the brand's offering in Singapore, culminating in the arrival of the all new Audi Q5.

Reflecting the car's character as a complement to all lifestyle needs and aspirations, local celebrity pastry chef Janice Wong created a series of themed edible art installations. Each part of the series represented a different landscape - a mountain top, seascape, downtown city and suburban areas. Guests were encouraged to interact with servers dressed in costume as part of the installation.

The new SUV from Audi takes a sporty and taut stance on the street. A sculpturally flared Singleframe grille with a solid frame dominates its aerodynamically flat front end. Measuring in at 4,660mm long, 1,890mm wide and 1,660mm tall with a 2,820mm wheelbase, the new Q5 has grown in nearly all of its dimensions, compared to the previous model. Consequently, the unladen weight has been reduced - depending on the engine - by up to 90kg. Steel with maximum tensile strength and aluminium form an intelligent material mix in the body.

Operation of the new Audi SUV is intuitive and is marked by three great new features. The Audi virtual cockpit (standard for Singapore) presents brilliant graphics on its high-resolution 12.3-inch screen. Drivers can choose from two views - a classic view with large round instruments and a mode in which the navigation map or lists dominate. The also optional head-up display projects key information onto the windshield.

The MMI terminal in the centre console acts as the main control element. The MMI navigation plus with MMI touch, accompanied by an 8.3-inch display, is a large all-in-one MMI touchpad with haptic feedback that is integrated into the rotary pushbutton. It recognises handwritten entries, as well as zooming gestures.

The new Audi Q5, like the Q7 and A4, has a self-learning 'personal route assist' function. After activating this function, the navigation system learns the routes and destinations that the customer regularly selects, and associates this information with the parked position and time of day.

The new quattro drivetrain with ultra-technology is standard equipment for the 2.0 TFSI with 252bhp. The quattro with ultra-technology always disengages the rear-axle drive whenever it is not needed and, if necessary, can proactively re-engage it. The new concept boosts efficiency without reducing traction or driving dynamics. Wheel-selective torque control is standard in the Singapore specific Audi Q5. The system gives handling a refined touch. The intelligent software solution always delivers a dynamic, precise and controllable driving experience.

The new Audi Q5 enables handling that combines different strengths - it is sporty while being extremely comfortable. Creating the basis for this is the newly developed five-link suspension and also the new electromechanical power steering system. Dynamic steering, which varies its gear ratio according to the driving speed and steering angle, is available as an option.

Customers can choose from two extension stages of springs and damping. The chassis with damper control - standard for Singapore - offers a wide spread between comfort and dynamics, which the driver can select via Audi drive select. In addition to adjusting damper control, the new optional adaptive air suspension can be used to vary the ride height of the car body over five stages.

In the standard system - Audi drive select - which accesses various technical modules, the driver can select one of as many as seven driving modes. The two new modes, lift/off-road and all-road, emphasise the off-road character of the Audi Q5 optimally. The new Audi SUV comes from the factory with 19-inch alloy wheels as standard for Singapore. Wheels up to 21 inches in diameter are available as options.