Last week, Audi India said that the local assembly of the refreshed Q5 has begun. The SUV is being put together at Skoda Auto Volkswagen India Pvt. Ltd.’s plant in Aurangabad. Now, we have another update – you can book one from today onwards. Yes, bookings have opened with the minimum token amount set at Rs 2 lakh. There are two petrol-powered variants available – Premium Plus and Technology. While both pack the same powertrain, they differ on the features front.

As suspected, the new Q5 will come with the same engine-transmission combination as the A6 sedan. That said, the SUV does have more oomph – 4bhp, to be precise. The 2.0-litre TFSI motor pumps out 245bhp/370Nm (A6 has 241bhp), while a 7-speed DSG handles transmission duties. And yes, there’s Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system in the mix to ensure little oomph goes to waste.

Features? The new Q5 comes with stuff like a Bang & Olufsen sound system, Audi Park Assist, Comfort Key, 19-inch alloy wheels, a wireless mobile charger and hands-free boot lid operation. The list also includes multiple drive modes, suspension with damping control, eight airbags, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system and ambient lighting. Of course, there’s a lot more on offer, details about which will surface at the time of launch.

The refreshed Audi Q5 made its global debut in June last year. And because of the challenges posed by COVID-19, the SUV just couldn’t make it to the Indian shores sooner. The carmaker will likely introduce the new Q5 by the end of the month or early November 2021. And when that happens, the SUV in question will become Audi India’s ninth product launch this calendar year. Its rivals include the Land Rover Discovery Sport, Volvo XC60, Mercedes-Benz GLC and the BMW X3. Out of the lot, which one is your favourite?