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Mexico-Made 2021 Audi SQ5 TDI Packs 341-PS Diesel for More Than €68k

Diesel engines are still a thing on the Old Continent, or so Audi seems to think. Oddly enough, when everyone around them is talking about electrification all day long and sometimes even ditch the powertrains using this type of fuel altogether. Well, all we need to do is remember these are the same strategists that came up with those inexplicable badges (45, 55, 65, etc.) that don’t relate to power or displacement but still have something to do with the engine...
2021 Audi SQ5 TDI details and pricing 18 photos
Photo: Audi AG
Even sharper, sportier, and more efficient: The optimized Audi SQ5 TDI now looks even more impressive. Its V6 three-liter diesel engine with an output of 251 kW (341 PS) delivers its power smoothly and forcefully. The sharper design underlines the sporty Even sharper, sportier, and more efficient: The optimized Audi SQ5 TDI now looks even more impressive. Its V6 three-liter diesel engine with an output of 251 kW (341 PS) delivers its power smoothly and forcefully. The sharper design underlines the sporty Even sharper, sportier, and more efficient: The optimized Audi SQ5 TDI now looks even more impressive. Its V6 three-liter diesel engine with an output of 251 kW (341 PS) delivers its power smoothly and forcefully. The sharper design underlines the sporty Even sharper, sportier, and more efficient: The optimized Audi SQ5 TDI now looks even more impressive. Its V6 three-liter diesel engine with an output of 251 kW (341 PS) delivers its power smoothly and forcefully. The sharper design underlines the sporty Even sharper, sportier, and more efficient: The optimized Audi SQ5 TDI now looks even more impressive. Its V6 three-liter diesel engine with an output of 251 kW (341 PS) delivers its power smoothly and forcefully. The sharper design underlines the sporty Even sharper, sportier, and more efficient: The optimized Audi SQ5 TDI now looks even more impressive. Its V6 three-liter diesel engine with an output of 251 kW (341 PS) delivers its power smoothly and forcefully. The sharper design underlines the sporty Even sharper, sportier, and more efficient: The optimized Audi SQ5 TDI now looks even more impressive. Its V6 three-liter diesel engine with an output of 251 kW (341 PS) delivers its power smoothly and forcefully. The sharper design underlines the sporty Even sharper, sportier, and more efficient: The optimized Audi SQ5 TDI now looks even more impressive. Its V6 three-liter diesel engine with an output of 251 kW (341 PS) delivers its power smoothly and forcefully. The sharper design underlines the sporty Even sharper, sportier, and more efficient: The optimized Audi SQ5 TDI now looks even more impressive. Its V6 three-liter diesel engine with an output of 251 kW (341 PS) delivers its power smoothly and forcefully. The sharper design underlines the sporty Even sharper, sportier, and more efficient: The optimized Audi SQ5 TDI now looks even more impressive. Its V6 three-liter diesel engine with an output of 251 kW (341 PS) delivers its power smoothly and forcefully. The sharper design underlines the sporty Even sharper, sportier, and more efficient: The optimized Audi SQ5 TDI now looks even more impressive. Its V6 three-liter diesel engine with an output of 251 kW (341 PS) delivers its power smoothly and forcefully. The sharper design underlines the sporty Even sharper, sportier, and more efficient: The optimized Audi SQ5 TDI now looks even more impressive. Its V6 three-liter diesel engine with an output of 251 kW (341 PS) delivers its power smoothly and forcefully. The sharper design underlines the sporty Even sharper, sportier, and more efficient: The optimized Audi SQ5 TDI now looks even more impressive. Its V6 three-liter diesel engine with an output of 251 kW (341 PS) delivers its power smoothly and forcefully. The sharper design underlines the sporty Even sharper, sportier, and more efficient: The optimized Audi SQ5 TDI now looks even more impressive. Its V6 three-liter diesel engine with an output of 251 kW (341 PS) delivers its power smoothly and forcefully. The sharper design underlines the sporty Even sharper, sportier, and more efficient: The optimized Audi SQ5 TDI now looks even more impressive. Its V6 three-liter diesel engine with an output of 251 kW (341 PS) delivers its power smoothly and forcefully. The sharper design underlines the sporty Even sharper, sportier, and more efficient: The optimized Audi SQ5 TDI now looks even more impressive. Its V6 three-liter diesel engine with an output of 251 kW (341 PS) delivers its power smoothly and forcefully. The sharper design underlines the sporty Even sharper, sportier, and more efficient: The optimized Audi SQ5 TDI now looks even more impressive. Its V6 three-liter diesel engine with an output of 251 kW (341 PS) delivers its power smoothly and forcefully. The sharper design underlines the sporty
So, here we have the Ingolstadt-based automaker showcasing the latest evolution of the SQ5 compact crossover for the European market. And did we mention that Audi’s going to churn out the upgraded SQ5 TDI off the production line at its Mexican factory in San José Chiapa for a market launch in the first quarter of next year at home in Germany and other European markets?

That’s right, we have an Audi produced in North America with a powertrain that’s not going to be available there, for sale on the Old Continent... Extremely confusing line of thought from the top brass, to say the least. Well, globalization works in mysterious ways... that’s all we can say.

As far as the 2021 Audi SQ5 TDI is concerned, it follows in the footsteps of the 2020 model year that was available with the same mild-hybrid 3.0-liter turbo diesel at home in Germany for €67,750.

Care to guess how much is it going to cost now?! No need to, because the company willingly offered the pricing – and of course it’s more expensive, kicking off at 68,137.82 euros ($80,478 at the current exchange rates).

On the other hand, the enhancements are on the subtlest of levels. The front end has revised headlights, a larger grille, modified air intakes, and optional new digital OLED technology for the rear lights, among others. Meanwhile, the interior comes out unchanged, apparently.

While the 202MY SQ5 TDI uses the same diesel engine as before, it has been downgraded to 341 ps. That’s because Audi is stubbornly trying to make the technology more efficient than ever before, using both a MHEV system, an electric powered compressor (EPC), as well as two SCR catalytic converters.

At least the performance is not taking a hit, with the manufacturer rating the upgraded version at the same levels as before – a 62 mph (100 kph) sprint in 5.1 seconds and a maximum speed of 155 mph (250 kph).
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About the author: Aurel Niculescu
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Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution.
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