THE 2013 Audi Q5 is now available with cosmetic and mechanical changes to further delight luxury SUV enthusiasts.

The biggest changes lie under the hood — more power, increased speed and greater fuel economy. The driver is guaranteed an exhilarating ride from a two-litre engine with an eight-speed transmission producing 224 horsepower; 350 newton metres of torque; and which goes from 0-100 km/h in 7.1 seconds.

“The increased speed and power is backed by greater fuel efficiency from a previous 32.8 mpg (miles per gallon) to 35.8 mpg; that’s the mileage you get for each gallon of fuel the vehicle uses,” explained Sloane Jackson, ATL’s market analyst.

“The fuel range has also increased from 872km to 950km to a full tank on a combined cycle; meaning, on average, a full tank of gas lasts longer whether you are driving in urban or rural areas,” he added. “One could drive from Kingston to Boscobel in St Mary on that 78km difference. In essence, drivers will make fewer trips to the gas station.”

The Q5 has made its way to the top of the bestselling podium in the premium vehicle segment in Jamaica, having outperformed not only SUVs in its class, but all hatchbacks, sedans and SUVs of all sizes across all brands, according to the most recent figures released by the Automobile Dealers’ Association.

“This vehicle has won the hearts of a wide range of Jamaicans, including those with a previous preference for much larger SUVs,” said Jackson. “It’s not too small or large and it is offered at a great starting price of $6.4 million. We have watched it grow from 10 deliveries in 2010 to 80 deliveries year-to-date in 2012, and we believe it will infiltrate the market even more in 2013,” Jackson said.

Internationally, the Audi Q5 has won significant praise. “At a time when the term sports utility vehicle has depreciated into nothing but a generic catchphrase for a high-riding station wagon, the Audi Q5 TSFI quattro is one SUV that still embodies the label’s true sporty spirit,” said carandadvice.com.

You could say the Q5 put the ‘sport’ back in SUV.

Yesterday, ATL, in a news release, noted that for those drivers wanting a bigger engine, Audi has delivered a three-litre TFSI version of its best-selling SUV for 2013, which is significantly faster and more powerful than the two-litre version.

“With 272hp, 400nm of torque, 0-100km/h in 5.9 seconds, drivers are in for a thrill with this one,” Jackson said, adding that it also delivers on fuel economy at 33.2 mpg and 882 km on a full tank.

Boasting subtle styling changes, the 2013 Q5 showcases a new-look front grille, front and rear bumpers, tail lights and xenon. “Buyers will be especially pleased with the xenon headlights, which first featured on the A6 and Q3 models,” said Jackson.

“These signature xenon headlights have a continuous band of LED daytime running lights around the edge, similar to the tail lights at the rear. The previous design was a row of dots in a circle,” Jackson explained.