He isn’t saying no, but he isn’t saying yes.
Rumours of an Audi RS Q5 circulated on the internet since April 2015. However, it is now July 2020 and no sign of the vehicle. This week saw a mid-cycle facelift to the midsize luxury crossover. The Q5 remains at the top for now. A new report by CarSales cites an Audi official that doesn’t rule out a faster version.
When asked about the prospects for an RS Q5, Michael Crusius (midsize SUV spokesperson for Audi Germany) stated that he was not saying no but that he wasn’t saying yes. We believe it will, but not immediately, if we read between the lines.
The RS5 will likely have the same engine installed in the RS Q5 if it is launched in 2021. The twin-turbo 2.9 liter V6 has 444 horsepower and 443 pound feet (600 Newton-meters). It is also available in the RS4 Avant prohibited fruit. Audi enthusiasts also know that the S6 Sedan, S7 Sportback are also equipped with this engine. Their European counterparts have to stick with a diesel.
Audi may be considering a similar launch for its larger SUV. The Q5 Sportback will be launched before the year ends. It would also make sense for the BMW X4 competitor to receive the performance SQ or RS treatments. These models will join Audi’s growing portfolio of fast SUVs with everything from a small SQ2 up to the big brother – the RS Q8.