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By Thelma Louise

Specialist Motoring Reporter


WHAT SHE SAID: Hard to resist Audi Q5 Sportback’s sexy curves

Coupe-styled SUV offers heaps of elegance over the practicality of its Q5 sibling.


Sometimes in life you must be practical due to the likes of family commitments and other midlife issues, and that is kinda boring for me.

Thankfully I am a young single woman, and I can afford to drive a car that is more elegant than practical, and this for me recently was the Audi Q5 Sportback 40 TDI quattro S line.

Sure, you can still opt for the traditional boxier Q5, but this is the first-ever Q5 Sportback and it appeals to your visual senses more than it does your practical needs. That’s why I chose this drive over its sibling. This feeling is heightened by the fitment of the S line trim package.

The S line difference lies mostly in the grill up front, the side air inlets, the rear bumper as well as the wheel size and design.

On the inside of the Audi Q5 Sportback you get the likes of bespoke colours and sports seats all wearing the S line logo. Call me shallow if you dare but looks count!

The Audi Q5 Sportback has curves in all the right places.

Now before you roast me for being a ‘typical woman’ that doesn’t know what she is talking about when it comes to cars, I did spend a few days driving the Audi Q5 Sportback around, and I loved it.

In saying this, I don’t think there is a normal man or a woman on planet earth that has any idea of what Audi was thinking when they changed their naming strategy. The Audi Q5 Sportback has a 140 kW / 400 Nm 2.0 TDI engine, but the badge on the back says 40 TDI?

ALSO READ: Updated Audi Q5 declares war on BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC

The Q5 Sportback makes use of a seven-speed double clutch S tronic gearbox and quattro drive that exclusively drives the front wheels.

The moment all-wheel drive is required, two clutches instantly activate the rear axle and provide you with all the grip you require. It’s a feeling that inspires confidence especially when the conditions on the road are slippery.

Go for the optional Technology Package that offers the digital Audi virtual cockpit plus (with 12.3-inch display), the MMI navigation plus infotainment system (paired with a 10.1-inch touch display) and Audi connect infotainment services. This allows completely integrated convenience and connectivity that is a must have in this digital world.

The Audi Q5 Sportback’s interior.

The Audi Q5 Sportback also offers help when out on the road with numerous driver assist systems from adaptive cruise control with active lane assist to the City Assistance package that offers exit warning, cross traffic assist at the rear and a rear view camera.

If you want, you can opt for the upgrade of this with City Assistance plus package which includes the park assist feature and a 360 degree camera to enable quick and comfortable parking.

There is pretty much nothing this Audi Q5 Sportback 40 TDI quattro S line can’t do, and it does while looking the part too. Now I just must find the R1 000 000 required to make it mine.

For more information on the Audi Q5 Sportback, click here.

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