Audi’s second-generation Q5 arrived earlier this year with a sleeker design, a richer tech suite, and a familiar focus on comfort and refinement. But for those hoping Ingolstadt might finally unleash a full-fat RS Q5, the wait continues. The SQ5 remains the range’s performance flagship—at least until the tuners step in.
Enter ABT Sportsline, the German outfit that has made a business out of pushing Audi performance into uncharted territory. Their latest project takes the SQ5 and gives it the muscle, stance, and attitude Audi itself never quite dared to deliver.
Understated Muscle, ABT Style
ABT’s recipe starts with subtle aggression. A new aero package brings a front splitter, a body-colored rear diffuser, and a chunkier roof spoiler that somehow manage to amplify the SUV’s presence without shouting about it. The look is factory-smooth, but it clearly means business.
The finishing touch? 22-inch ABT Evo wheels, finished in gloss black and filling the arches to perfection. For those who prefer a touch less drama, 20-inch multi-spoke Sport GR wheels are also available, finished in the same dark hue.
At the rear, four matte-black, stainless-steel exhaust tips—each with a 10-centimeter diameter—underline the car’s new-found intent. They look the part and, if past ABT creations are anything to go by, sound it too.
Power Boost: The SQ5 That Audi Didn’t Build
The heart of this transformation lies under the hood. ABT’s Power S performance module coaxes the turbocharged 3.0-liter TFSI V6 to produce 440 horsepower and 600 Nm of torque—healthy bumps over the stock 354 hp and 500 Nm.
That’s essentially S5 Avant power levels, which isn’t surprising since the two share the same engine. ABT also fits lowered springs that drop the ride height by up to 45 millimeters, giving the SQ5 a lower, more planted stance and, reportedly, a sharper response through corners. The result? An SUV that finally feels as sporty as its badge promises.
Interior Tweaks, Minimal but Meaningful
Inside, ABT has wisely kept things restrained. Bespoke door trims and illuminated ABT logos in the front doors provide just enough differentiation to make the cabin feel special without disrupting Audi’s clean, tech-forward design language.
Available for Both SQ5 Styles
For now, ABT’s package is officially shown on the standard SQ5, though the same upgrades—minus the rear spoiler—fit the sleeker SQ5 Sportback as well. Pricing hasn’t yet been announced, but prospective buyers can contact ABT directly for details.
In typical ABT fashion, the SQ5 transformation doesn’t rewrite the SUV’s DNA—it refines it. The result is a machine that combines Audi’s signature refinement with the kind of dynamic edge and presence that enthusiasts have long been craving.
Until Audi decides to build a true RS Q5, ABT’s take might just be the next best thing.
Source: ABT Sportsline
