2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X is a twin-turbo V8 hypercar delivering over 900kW
The 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X combines the ZR1's 5.5-litre twin-turbocharged flat-plane crank V8 with a front-mounted electric motor like that seen in the E-Ray.
This makes it the first ZR1-badged 'Vette with all-wheel drive.
The hand-assembled V8 produces 793kW of power at 7000rpm and 1123Nm of torque at 6000rpm, while the electric motor produces 139kW and 197Nm.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
Total power is therefore up by 149kW over the ZR1, while its 0-60mph time is several tenths of a second quicker – the ZR1 does the dash in 2.3 seconds with its ZTK Performance Package, or 2.5 seconds without.
Like other C8 Corvettes, the engine is mounted midship and is mated with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
We've contacted GM Australia and New Zealand to confirm if the ZR1X is coming here. We currently get all C8 Corvettes in factory right-hand drive bar the ZR1, which is only produced in left-hand drive.
The ZR1X's V8 was developed alongside the naturally aspirated flat-plane crank engines powering the Z06 and Z06 GT3.R race car. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
It features dual 76mm turbochargers, while Chevrolet engineers have positioned the turbos as close to the exhaust valves as possible to decrease the time needed to build boost and therefore improve throttle response.
Dynamic anti-lag controls will maintain turbo speed when off-throttle to ensure boost is 'available rapidly' when throttle is reapplied.
The ZR1X features a 1.9kWh battery like the E-Ray, also centralised within the spine of the chassis, but Chevrolet says it has expanded the amount of usable energy to provide greater lapping capability.
The front drive unit has the same shape and size as that in the E-Ray, but engineers have strengthened the motor to generate an additional 19kW and 27Nm. It can apply power at up to 258km/h before disconnecting. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
There's no physical connection between the engine and the electric drive unit.
Chevrolet says the eAWD chassis control system of the E-Ray has been upgraded for the ZR1X to match the more powerful engine.
There are 'specialised energy strategies' intended to maximise electrified output for track driving.
Pressing the Charge+ button activates Endurance mode, adjusting the battery's energy storage strategy for extended lapping and consistent output, while there's also a Qualifying mode and a Push-to-Pass function to ensure maximum power is available on-demand. Supplied Credit: CarExpert
A new PTM Pro mode introduced for model year 2026 (MY26) Corvettes turns off traction and stability control but allows you to still use launch control, the regen brake torque vectoring function, and what's called Front Axle Pre-Control which actively manages inside front brake pressure to ensure maximum traction when exiting a corner.
The ZR1's optional J59 braking package is standard on the ZR1X, bringing Alcon 10-piston front and six-piston rear calipers mated to 16.5-inch front and rear carbon-ceramic rotors with continuously woven carbon-fibre threads.
Magnetic Ride Control is standard, as are Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres. The ZTK Performance Package brings Michelin Pilot Cup 2R tyres.
An optional Carbon Aero package adds dive planes, underbody strakes, a hood gurney lip over the front heat extractor, and a sizeable rear wing.
Altogether, this package brings a claimed 544kg of downforce. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Supplied Credit: CarExpert
Like the rest of the C8 range, the ZR1X will be offered as either a coupe or convertible.
It features the revised interior revealed in May that includes, among other changes, a larger 12.7-inch infotainment touchscreen, a 6.6-inch auxiliary touchscreen, a redesigned centre console, and repositioned switchgear.
Chevrolet is calling the ZR1X the 'ultimate expression' of its C8 Corvette, and an 'all-day comfortable tourer, straight-line rocket, and racetrack weapon, all in one'.
It's unlikely there will be a more powerful variant to slot in above it.
The ZR1X had been rumoured to wear the Zora name, after former Corvette chief engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov whose ashes were interred at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
MORE: Everything Chevrolet Corvette
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MORE: 2026 Honda Prelude interior revealed with lots of Civic parts Content originally sourced from: The 2026 Honda Prelude has been confirmed for Australia and is scheduled to arrive in local showrooms mid-next year as the brand looks to recapture some of its former sports car glory. The Prelude will enter the sports car market alongside two-door coupes including the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 twins, Nissan Z, Toyota Supra, and Ford Mustang. In late 2024, Honda confirmed it would begin production of a new sixth-generation Prelude, revealing a two-door hybrid sports car set for Europe and the United States (US) – but Australia wasn't included in the global announcement. Honda Australia renewed its expired trademark for the Prelude name – last seen in Australia in 2001 – in December 2023, a move often made by automakers to protect a nameplate from use by rivals, but the company shared no plans for a local launch of the reborn sports car. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. This week, Honda Australia told media, including CarExpert, the Prelude will return to showrooms in mid-2026. "We're thrilled to add this iconic nameplate to the Honda lineup next year," said Honda Australia director Rob Thorp. "Prelude taps into a rare combination of nostalgia and performance with broad appeal across generations of Honda customers, old and new." No vehicle specifics, such as equipment levels, pricing or otherwise, were announced. "The Prelude … we can't share a lot of stuff – I want to say so many things, but I think the really important thing is that such an iconic nameplate that's had such rich brand heritage and history, is a model we're bringing back to Australia next year," said Mr Thorp. The Prelude is set to go on sale in the US – Honda's biggest volume market by far – in late 2025, ahead of its debut in Europe before its Australian arrival. The first of a new "specialty sport era of electrification", according to Honda, the new two-door sports car will share components, including its front-wheel drive underpinnings, with the Civic hatchback. This includes Honda's 'e:HEV' hybrid powertrain – also offered in the Accord – using a four-cylinder petrol engine and dual electric motors, but the Prelude will be the first to feature Honda's S+ Shift technology. The S+ Shift technology simulates gear changes using paddle shifters. There won't be a manual transmission, with the company's global electrification boss previously ruling out such an option for the Prelude. The US version – and most likely Australian version, too – will also use the same high-performance Brembo brakes as the Civic Type R, and use a Prelude-specific version of the Type R's front and rear suspension. Honda says the Prelude will embody "the joy of maneuvering", claiming its "low and sleek body" will contribute to its "glider-like exhilaration". Its cabin – which appears to carry over a significant number of parts from the Civic – will use a blue-and-white theme, and will use a more bolstered driver's seat with the front passenger seat reprofiled for "moderately wrapped comfort". The Prelude isn't the only sports car name Honda has revived. Once one of several Honda sports cars in showrooms – including the S2000 roadster and the legendary NSX – the Prelude previously sat above the Integra in the brand's lineup. The Integra, last offered in Australia in 2006, was reintroduced in China in 2021 and the US in 2022, where it remains sold under the 'Acura' premium Honda sub-brand – but has been ruled out for showrooms here. Following the demise of the NSX and coupe versions of the Civic and Accord over the past decade, Honda no longer sells any two-door coupes globally, something the launch of the Prelude will rectify. MORE: 2026 Honda Prelude interior revealed with lots of Civic parts Content originally sourced from: The 2026 Honda Prelude has been confirmed for Australia and is scheduled to arrive in local showrooms mid-next year as the brand looks to recapture some of its former sports car glory. The Prelude will enter the sports car market alongside two-door coupes including the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 twins, Nissan Z, Toyota Supra, and Ford Mustang. In late 2024, Honda confirmed it would begin production of a new sixth-generation Prelude, revealing a two-door hybrid sports car set for Europe and the United States (US) – but Australia wasn't included in the global announcement. Honda Australia renewed its expired trademark for the Prelude name – last seen in Australia in 2001 – in December 2023, a move often made by automakers to protect a nameplate from use by rivals, but the company shared no plans for a local launch of the reborn sports car. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. This week, Honda Australia told media, including CarExpert, the Prelude will return to showrooms in mid-2026. "We're thrilled to add this iconic nameplate to the Honda lineup next year," said Honda Australia director Rob Thorp. "Prelude taps into a rare combination of nostalgia and performance with broad appeal across generations of Honda customers, old and new." No vehicle specifics, such as equipment levels, pricing or otherwise, were announced. "The Prelude … we can't share a lot of stuff – I want to say so many things, but I think the really important thing is that such an iconic nameplate that's had such rich brand heritage and history, is a model we're bringing back to Australia next year," said Mr Thorp. The Prelude is set to go on sale in the US – Honda's biggest volume market by far – in late 2025, ahead of its debut in Europe before its Australian arrival. The first of a new "specialty sport era of electrification", according to Honda, the new two-door sports car will share components, including its front-wheel drive underpinnings, with the Civic hatchback. This includes Honda's 'e:HEV' hybrid powertrain – also offered in the Accord – using a four-cylinder petrol engine and dual electric motors, but the Prelude will be the first to feature Honda's S+ Shift technology. The S+ Shift technology simulates gear changes using paddle shifters. There won't be a manual transmission, with the company's global electrification boss previously ruling out such an option for the Prelude. The US version – and most likely Australian version, too – will also use the same high-performance Brembo brakes as the Civic Type R, and use a Prelude-specific version of the Type R's front and rear suspension. Honda says the Prelude will embody "the joy of maneuvering", claiming its "low and sleek body" will contribute to its "glider-like exhilaration". Its cabin – which appears to carry over a significant number of parts from the Civic – will use a blue-and-white theme, and will use a more bolstered driver's seat with the front passenger seat reprofiled for "moderately wrapped comfort". The Prelude isn't the only sports car name Honda has revived. Once one of several Honda sports cars in showrooms – including the S2000 roadster and the legendary NSX – the Prelude previously sat above the Integra in the brand's lineup. The Integra, last offered in Australia in 2006, was reintroduced in China in 2021 and the US in 2022, where it remains sold under the 'Acura' premium Honda sub-brand – but has been ruled out for showrooms here. Following the demise of the NSX and coupe versions of the Civic and Accord over the past decade, Honda no longer sells any two-door coupes globally, something the launch of the Prelude will rectify. MORE: 2026 Honda Prelude interior revealed with lots of Civic parts Content originally sourced from: The 2026 Honda Prelude has been confirmed for Australia and is scheduled to arrive in local showrooms mid-next year as the brand looks to recapture some of its former sports car glory. The Prelude will enter the sports car market alongside two-door coupes including the Subaru BRZ and Toyota GR86 twins, Nissan Z, Toyota Supra, and Ford Mustang. In late 2024, Honda confirmed it would begin production of a new sixth-generation Prelude, revealing a two-door hybrid sports car set for Europe and the United States (US) – but Australia wasn't included in the global announcement. Honda Australia renewed its expired trademark for the Prelude name – last seen in Australia in 2001 – in December 2023, a move often made by automakers to protect a nameplate from use by rivals, but the company shared no plans for a local launch of the reborn sports car. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. This week, Honda Australia told media, including CarExpert, the Prelude will return to showrooms in mid-2026. "We're thrilled to add this iconic nameplate to the Honda lineup next year," said Honda Australia director Rob Thorp. "Prelude taps into a rare combination of nostalgia and performance with broad appeal across generations of Honda customers, old and new." No vehicle specifics, such as equipment levels, pricing or otherwise, were announced. "The Prelude … we can't share a lot of stuff – I want to say so many things, but I think the really important thing is that such an iconic nameplate that's had such rich brand heritage and history, is a model we're bringing back to Australia next year," said Mr Thorp. The Prelude is set to go on sale in the US – Honda's biggest volume market by far – in late 2025, ahead of its debut in Europe before its Australian arrival. The first of a new "specialty sport era of electrification", according to Honda, the new two-door sports car will share components, including its front-wheel drive underpinnings, with the Civic hatchback. This includes Honda's 'e:HEV' hybrid powertrain – also offered in the Accord – using a four-cylinder petrol engine and dual electric motors, but the Prelude will be the first to feature Honda's S+ Shift technology. The S+ Shift technology simulates gear changes using paddle shifters. There won't be a manual transmission, with the company's global electrification boss previously ruling out such an option for the Prelude. The US version – and most likely Australian version, too – will also use the same high-performance Brembo brakes as the Civic Type R, and use a Prelude-specific version of the Type R's front and rear suspension. Honda says the Prelude will embody "the joy of maneuvering", claiming its "low and sleek body" will contribute to its "glider-like exhilaration". Its cabin – which appears to carry over a significant number of parts from the Civic – will use a blue-and-white theme, and will use a more bolstered driver's seat with the front passenger seat reprofiled for "moderately wrapped comfort". The Prelude isn't the only sports car name Honda has revived. Once one of several Honda sports cars in showrooms – including the S2000 roadster and the legendary NSX – the Prelude previously sat above the Integra in the brand's lineup. The Integra, last offered in Australia in 2006, was reintroduced in China in 2021 and the US in 2022, where it remains sold under the 'Acura' premium Honda sub-brand – but has been ruled out for showrooms here. Following the demise of the NSX and coupe versions of the Civic and Accord over the past decade, Honda no longer sells any two-door coupes globally, something the launch of the Prelude will rectify. MORE: 2026 Honda Prelude interior revealed with lots of Civic parts Content originally sourced from:
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2025 Audi Q5 and SQ5: Higher prices, more equipment for new mid-size luxury SUV
Audi Australia has released pricing and specifications for its third-generation Q5 mid-size SUV range, including the new SQ5 performance flagship, ahead of its arrival in local showrooms "in the coming weeks". Now available to order, the 2025 Audi Q5 lineup starts at $81,000 before on-road costs – an increase of $7600 over the outgoing entry-level Q5 – and the six-cylinder SQ5 is priced from $106,400 plus on-roads in 'edition one' form, which is down from $119,084 before on-roads for the previous SQ5. However, the regular SQ5 will cost $122,400 plus on-roads, marking a rise of just over $3000. The existing Q5 is Audi Australia's best-selling model so far this year, with sales up 19.7 per cent on the first half of 2024. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Diesel and all-wheel drive 'quattro' versions make up the five model grades of the third-generation Q5 and SQ5 landing in showrooms next month. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version is expected to arrive in Australia in 2026, although this has not officially been confirmed since two PHEV variants were shown overseas. The lineup starts with the Q5 TFSI powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 150kW of power and 340Nm of torque, matched as standard with a seven-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. It comes with a 0-100km/h claim of 8.6 seconds and combined fuel economy of 5.7L/100km. Standard equipment includes 19-inch alloy wheels, LED Matrix headlights, artificial leather upholstery, aluminium inlays as well as climate control and an eight-speaker 160W stereo. The cabin also includes a 14.5-inch OLED centre touchscreen with built-in sat-nav, voice commands and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, plus an electronic tailgate. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, speed sign recognition, while automatic parking and a 360-degree camera are also standard on every Q5/SQ5. The turbo-diesel models are next, with the Q5 TDI quattro and the Q5 TDI quattro Sport priced at $87,600 and $94,100 before on-road costs respectively. Both use the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel offering 150kW/400Nm, teamed with a seven-speed automatic and quattro all-wheel drive. They also share the same 7.4-second 0-100km/h claim and 5.4L/100km combined fuel consumption figure. Equipment levels match the entry-level Q5 TFSI, but the Q5 TDI quattro Sport adds larger 20-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and sports seats with 'S' logos embossed, plus an interior treatment featuring brushed aluminium inlays. The SQ5 is offered in an 'edition one' grade for $106,400 and in regular guise for $122,400, both before on-road costs. Both are powered by a 3.0-litre mild-hybrid V6 petrol engine producing 270kW/550Nm, and combine a seven-speed automatic with quattro all-wheel drive. The SQ5 has an official 0-100km/h time of 4.5 seconds and combined fuel consumption of 7.6L/100km. On top of the Q5's standard equipment, the SQ5 edition one adds black 20-inch alloy wheels, red brake calipers, black mirror caps, with brushed aluminium inlays inside the cabin. The standard SQ5 runs 21-inch alloy wheels – with three designs to choose from at no additional cost – and all exterior paint colours are no-cost options apart from Sakhir gold metallic, which is priced at a lower $1300. For every other Q5 and S5, Arkona White is standard at no additional cost, with all other colours costing $2000 on top, apart from Sakhir gold which is priced at $3300. The SQ5 also has a 16-speaker Bang and Olufsen stereo with a 16-channel subwoofer, amplifier and total output of 685W, as well as faster-charging USB ports, with a pair of 60W outlets up front and two 100W ports in the rear. MORE: Everything Audi Content originally sourced from: Audi Australia has released pricing and specifications for its third-generation Q5 mid-size SUV range, including the new SQ5 performance flagship, ahead of its arrival in local showrooms "in the coming weeks". Now available to order, the 2025 Audi Q5 lineup starts at $81,000 before on-road costs – an increase of $7600 over the outgoing entry-level Q5 – and the six-cylinder SQ5 is priced from $106,400 plus on-roads in 'edition one' form, which is down from $119,084 before on-roads for the previous SQ5. However, the regular SQ5 will cost $122,400 plus on-roads, marking a rise of just over $3000. The existing Q5 is Audi Australia's best-selling model so far this year, with sales up 19.7 per cent on the first half of 2024. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Diesel and all-wheel drive 'quattro' versions make up the five model grades of the third-generation Q5 and SQ5 landing in showrooms next month. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version is expected to arrive in Australia in 2026, although this has not officially been confirmed since two PHEV variants were shown overseas. The lineup starts with the Q5 TFSI powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 150kW of power and 340Nm of torque, matched as standard with a seven-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. It comes with a 0-100km/h claim of 8.6 seconds and combined fuel economy of 5.7L/100km. Standard equipment includes 19-inch alloy wheels, LED Matrix headlights, artificial leather upholstery, aluminium inlays as well as climate control and an eight-speaker 160W stereo. The cabin also includes a 14.5-inch OLED centre touchscreen with built-in sat-nav, voice commands and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, plus an electronic tailgate. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, speed sign recognition, while automatic parking and a 360-degree camera are also standard on every Q5/SQ5. The turbo-diesel models are next, with the Q5 TDI quattro and the Q5 TDI quattro Sport priced at $87,600 and $94,100 before on-road costs respectively. Both use the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel offering 150kW/400Nm, teamed with a seven-speed automatic and quattro all-wheel drive. They also share the same 7.4-second 0-100km/h claim and 5.4L/100km combined fuel consumption figure. Equipment levels match the entry-level Q5 TFSI, but the Q5 TDI quattro Sport adds larger 20-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and sports seats with 'S' logos embossed, plus an interior treatment featuring brushed aluminium inlays. The SQ5 is offered in an 'edition one' grade for $106,400 and in regular guise for $122,400, both before on-road costs. Both are powered by a 3.0-litre mild-hybrid V6 petrol engine producing 270kW/550Nm, and combine a seven-speed automatic with quattro all-wheel drive. The SQ5 has an official 0-100km/h time of 4.5 seconds and combined fuel consumption of 7.6L/100km. On top of the Q5's standard equipment, the SQ5 edition one adds black 20-inch alloy wheels, red brake calipers, black mirror caps, with brushed aluminium inlays inside the cabin. The standard SQ5 runs 21-inch alloy wheels – with three designs to choose from at no additional cost – and all exterior paint colours are no-cost options apart from Sakhir gold metallic, which is priced at a lower $1300. For every other Q5 and S5, Arkona White is standard at no additional cost, with all other colours costing $2000 on top, apart from Sakhir gold which is priced at $3300. The SQ5 also has a 16-speaker Bang and Olufsen stereo with a 16-channel subwoofer, amplifier and total output of 685W, as well as faster-charging USB ports, with a pair of 60W outlets up front and two 100W ports in the rear. MORE: Everything Audi Content originally sourced from: Audi Australia has released pricing and specifications for its third-generation Q5 mid-size SUV range, including the new SQ5 performance flagship, ahead of its arrival in local showrooms "in the coming weeks". Now available to order, the 2025 Audi Q5 lineup starts at $81,000 before on-road costs – an increase of $7600 over the outgoing entry-level Q5 – and the six-cylinder SQ5 is priced from $106,400 plus on-roads in 'edition one' form, which is down from $119,084 before on-roads for the previous SQ5. However, the regular SQ5 will cost $122,400 plus on-roads, marking a rise of just over $3000. The existing Q5 is Audi Australia's best-selling model so far this year, with sales up 19.7 per cent on the first half of 2024. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Diesel and all-wheel drive 'quattro' versions make up the five model grades of the third-generation Q5 and SQ5 landing in showrooms next month. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version is expected to arrive in Australia in 2026, although this has not officially been confirmed since two PHEV variants were shown overseas. The lineup starts with the Q5 TFSI powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 150kW of power and 340Nm of torque, matched as standard with a seven-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. It comes with a 0-100km/h claim of 8.6 seconds and combined fuel economy of 5.7L/100km. Standard equipment includes 19-inch alloy wheels, LED Matrix headlights, artificial leather upholstery, aluminium inlays as well as climate control and an eight-speaker 160W stereo. The cabin also includes a 14.5-inch OLED centre touchscreen with built-in sat-nav, voice commands and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, plus an electronic tailgate. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, speed sign recognition, while automatic parking and a 360-degree camera are also standard on every Q5/SQ5. The turbo-diesel models are next, with the Q5 TDI quattro and the Q5 TDI quattro Sport priced at $87,600 and $94,100 before on-road costs respectively. Both use the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel offering 150kW/400Nm, teamed with a seven-speed automatic and quattro all-wheel drive. They also share the same 7.4-second 0-100km/h claim and 5.4L/100km combined fuel consumption figure. Equipment levels match the entry-level Q5 TFSI, but the Q5 TDI quattro Sport adds larger 20-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and sports seats with 'S' logos embossed, plus an interior treatment featuring brushed aluminium inlays. The SQ5 is offered in an 'edition one' grade for $106,400 and in regular guise for $122,400, both before on-road costs. Both are powered by a 3.0-litre mild-hybrid V6 petrol engine producing 270kW/550Nm, and combine a seven-speed automatic with quattro all-wheel drive. The SQ5 has an official 0-100km/h time of 4.5 seconds and combined fuel consumption of 7.6L/100km. On top of the Q5's standard equipment, the SQ5 edition one adds black 20-inch alloy wheels, red brake calipers, black mirror caps, with brushed aluminium inlays inside the cabin. The standard SQ5 runs 21-inch alloy wheels – with three designs to choose from at no additional cost – and all exterior paint colours are no-cost options apart from Sakhir gold metallic, which is priced at a lower $1300. For every other Q5 and S5, Arkona White is standard at no additional cost, with all other colours costing $2000 on top, apart from Sakhir gold which is priced at $3300. The SQ5 also has a 16-speaker Bang and Olufsen stereo with a 16-channel subwoofer, amplifier and total output of 685W, as well as faster-charging USB ports, with a pair of 60W outlets up front and two 100W ports in the rear. MORE: Everything Audi Content originally sourced from: Audi Australia has released pricing and specifications for its third-generation Q5 mid-size SUV range, including the new SQ5 performance flagship, ahead of its arrival in local showrooms "in the coming weeks". Now available to order, the 2025 Audi Q5 lineup starts at $81,000 before on-road costs – an increase of $7600 over the outgoing entry-level Q5 – and the six-cylinder SQ5 is priced from $106,400 plus on-roads in 'edition one' form, which is down from $119,084 before on-roads for the previous SQ5. However, the regular SQ5 will cost $122,400 plus on-roads, marking a rise of just over $3000. The existing Q5 is Audi Australia's best-selling model so far this year, with sales up 19.7 per cent on the first half of 2024. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Diesel and all-wheel drive 'quattro' versions make up the five model grades of the third-generation Q5 and SQ5 landing in showrooms next month. A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version is expected to arrive in Australia in 2026, although this has not officially been confirmed since two PHEV variants were shown overseas. The lineup starts with the Q5 TFSI powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine producing 150kW of power and 340Nm of torque, matched as standard with a seven-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive. It comes with a 0-100km/h claim of 8.6 seconds and combined fuel economy of 5.7L/100km. Standard equipment includes 19-inch alloy wheels, LED Matrix headlights, artificial leather upholstery, aluminium inlays as well as climate control and an eight-speaker 160W stereo. The cabin also includes a 14.5-inch OLED centre touchscreen with built-in sat-nav, voice commands and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, plus an electronic tailgate. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) include adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, speed sign recognition, while automatic parking and a 360-degree camera are also standard on every Q5/SQ5. The turbo-diesel models are next, with the Q5 TDI quattro and the Q5 TDI quattro Sport priced at $87,600 and $94,100 before on-road costs respectively. Both use the same 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel offering 150kW/400Nm, teamed with a seven-speed automatic and quattro all-wheel drive. They also share the same 7.4-second 0-100km/h claim and 5.4L/100km combined fuel consumption figure. Equipment levels match the entry-level Q5 TFSI, but the Q5 TDI quattro Sport adds larger 20-inch alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and sports seats with 'S' logos embossed, plus an interior treatment featuring brushed aluminium inlays. The SQ5 is offered in an 'edition one' grade for $106,400 and in regular guise for $122,400, both before on-road costs. Both are powered by a 3.0-litre mild-hybrid V6 petrol engine producing 270kW/550Nm, and combine a seven-speed automatic with quattro all-wheel drive. The SQ5 has an official 0-100km/h time of 4.5 seconds and combined fuel consumption of 7.6L/100km. On top of the Q5's standard equipment, the SQ5 edition one adds black 20-inch alloy wheels, red brake calipers, black mirror caps, with brushed aluminium inlays inside the cabin. The standard SQ5 runs 21-inch alloy wheels – with three designs to choose from at no additional cost – and all exterior paint colours are no-cost options apart from Sakhir gold metallic, which is priced at a lower $1300. For every other Q5 and S5, Arkona White is standard at no additional cost, with all other colours costing $2000 on top, apart from Sakhir gold which is priced at $3300. The SQ5 also has a 16-speaker Bang and Olufsen stereo with a 16-channel subwoofer, amplifier and total output of 685W, as well as faster-charging USB ports, with a pair of 60W outlets up front and two 100W ports in the rear. MORE: Everything Audi Content originally sourced from:
