Black Edition touches are subtle outside and require careful spotting in a darker colour. Image: Audi
With little in the way of changes having been made since its one and only mid-life refresh three years ago, Audi South Africa has expanded its Black Edition range of models to the Q5 and SQ5 after availing it to the A3 and outgoing A4 last year, and the Q3 in May this year.
Similar in execution to its smaller sibling, the Black Edition uses the Advanced trim level of the standard Q5 and Q5 Sportback as a base, adding to the mix the black exterior package, five-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof and the Matrix LED headlights.
ALSO READ: Refreshed Audi Q5 has the talent, but at a cost
As part of what Ingolstadt calls the deluxe package, the Black’s added array of spec items include a tow bar, integrated satellite navigation on the 10.1-inch MMI infotainment system, a flat-bottom steering wheel, folding electric mirrors, gloss black inserts and keyless entry.
Along with the S seats, the City Assistance Pack also comes standard, comprising Rear Cross Traffic Alert, a reverse camera, front and rear parking sensors and Lane Change Assist.
At the other end of the spectrum, the SQ5 Black gains the same black exterior touches and LED headlights, but eschews the 20-inch wheels for 21-inch S alloys.
In addition to the already mentioned standard specification items, the SQ5 adds the S adaptive air suspension, the Park Assist Package, Audi Sport seats and the Bang & Olufsen sound system.
For now still sporting the irksome number denominators for the respective engine options the Four Rings announced in March would be scrapped for its next generation models, Q5 and SQ5 Black retain the same engines as the standard models without any power or torque increases.
In the former’s case, the 40 TFSI produces an unchanged 183kW/370Nm from its 2.0 TFSI engine, while the 2.0-litre oil-burner in the 40 TDI cranks out 140kW/400Nm.
On the performance front, the 40 TDI will get from 0-100 km/h in 7.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 220 km/h, with the Sportback taking 8.1 seconds before hitting 218 km/h.
No performance discrepancies are applicable to the 40 TFSI as both the standard and Sportback get from 0-100 km/h in 6.3 seconds, before topping-out at 237 km/h.
Regardless of the powertrain, all of the Q5 Black Edition’s receive the quattro all-wheel-drive system and seven-speed S tronic gearbox from the off.
For the pair of SQ5 models, with the Black pack being included from the start, the 3.0 TFSI V6 has not been altered and as such, cranks-out 260kW/500Nm. Sending the amount of twist to all four wheels is an eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox.
The claimed top speed is 250 km/h is the standard SQ5 taking 5.4 seconds to hit 100 km/h from standstill and the Sportback a fractionality quicker 4.9 seconds.
As before, all six Black Edition’s sticker prices include a five-year/100 000 km maintenance plan.
NOW READ: WHAT SHE SAID: Hard to resist Audi Q5 Sportback’s sexy curves
