Audi SQ5 brings diesel power to S-line crossover

Audi chose Le Mans weekend to unveil the newest and sportiest model in the Q5 range. The Audi SQ5 has 20-inch wheels, a lowered sport suspension, an Alcantara-swathed interior and diesel power under the hood.

Enthusiasts need not despair, though. Audi has fitted the SQ5 with a 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V6 diesel that churns out 313 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. This is also the first diesel to grace Audi's S line of performance vehicles.

Audi claims that the SQ5 TDI will run from standstill to 62 mph in 5.1 seconds and return up to 32 mpg. We suspect achieving both of those numbers at the same time is highly unlikely.

An eight-speed automatic transmission is standard, as is Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system.

Inside, the appointments are typical Audi S line, with aluminum accents and a liberal smattering of S badges.

While the SQ5 TDI will be hitting European showrooms at the beginning of 2013, there's no word on whether it will be coming stateside. Those wanting a sporty Audi SUV in the United States will have to “settle” for the S line trim of the Q7 and its 333-hp supercharged gasoline V6.

By Seth Harrison