Our spies caught the new Audi Q5 out for winter testing without the usual camo clothing you might expect from such spy photos.

We’ve got to laugh a little at the German automaker for deciding to intentionally offer less-than-optimal fuel efficiency in the Q5s headed to North America. Their 2.0-liter TDI is actually more efficient than the hybrid powertrain that will be available stateside.

To keep people from flocking to the most efficient bird in the roost, Audi decided to slip the same 3.0-liter diesel from the Q7 into the smaller Q5, branding it as a more performance-oriented option.

You can see in the photos that the Q5 is getting Audi’s S-line treatment like the new A4 and A6. We’re also told that the compact SUV will come with the latest multimedia interface, including Audi connect and Google Maps.

GALLERY: 2013 Audi Q5 spy photos

Efficiency is important these days. The government is cracking down on gas guzzlers and imposing strict regulations that force automakers into saving more fuel than ever before.

That’s why it might come as a surprise that Audi of America is opting not to offer their most efficient diesel engine in the upcoming 2013 Q5. That’s right, the German luxury brand sees fit to package the same diesel 3.0-liter V6 that they currently offer American consumers in the Q7.

Why, you might ask? The answer is simple, though less than logical. Audi is afraid of selling a 2.0 turbo diesel Q5 because it gets better milage than the hybrid-electric powertrain they are offering in the same vehicle.

In other words, the diesel engine is too efficient for the discerning U.S. palette. Now, there may be some merit to the theory, considering diesel fuel is more expensive than gasoline. People can be quick to judge at the pump and diesels still carry a somewhat sordid name among American consumers, even today.

On the other hand Hybrids evoke green imagery and environmentally friendly thoughts, which is even funnier when you realize that Europeans have been driving diesels to save fuel for decades.

Regardless of the reasoning, Audi is doing a good job of pandering to consumer egos, saying they chose to offer a more performance oriented diesel and an efficient hybrid.

Speaking of performance-oriented diesels, the company will also be offering Americans the same engine in the A8 later this year. The same logic that spoiled the chances for a 2.0-liter diesel Q5 is also keeping the hybrid A8 out of reach.

“Our current A8 with the 4.2L gasoline V-8 gets the same fuel economy as hybrids from BMW, Lexus and Mercedes” due to its emphasis on weight-saving aluminum construction, Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen said to Ward’s Auto. “Imagine now what happens when you put a diesel in the car. You have all the driveability and driving enjoyment with even better fuel economy.”

In fact, 41% of Q7 and 55% of A3 sales in the U.S. were diesel models, though the fact that Audi still ships from Germany probably restricted supply, so it makes sense that they would be rolling more models out with the oil-burning option.

GALLERY: Audi Q5 Hybrid

[Source: Wards Auto]

BMW is proving again that a smaller engine doesn’t need to mean less oomph after announcing that the 2013 X-Series will be switching to a 4-cylinder engine.

The company will start producing their new X-Series crossovers this April. The biggest change for American consumers will be the single horsepower boost the 2013 BMW X3 xDrive28i will get despite the downsized engine. BMW decided to swap out the old naturally-aspirated inline six-cylinder that made 240 horsepower for a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline four that puts out 241 horsepower.

The more powerful 300 hp version, however, will get the same turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6. Both versions are probably a good thing because the push toward a smaller engine means the lower-end X3 will get a bit of a boost in gas mileage, putting it in line with the 2.0-liter turbocharged Audi Q5, while still achieving more horsepower.

[Source: Inside Line]

That online consumer  car resource, Edmunds.com has labeled Audi automobiles the top choice in no fewer than four different categories when it comes to new vehicles.

Audi took home awards for best coupe in the $35-$45k category (A5), best coupe over $45K (S5), best wagon $35-$45k (Audi A4 Avant) and best SUV in the same price category (Q5).

“It’s clear that owners of Audi’s 2011 lineup of vehicles are very satisfied with their purchases,” declared Edmunds’ editor-in-chief Scott Oldham. He also said that visitors to the site continue to rate European and Japanese brand vehicles higher than their American counterparts. Must be the interiors.

[Source: Edmunds.com]

In an effort to align both brands more closely under the VW umbrella, as well as save on engineering and R&D costs, Audi will supply Porsche with it’s spicy twin-turbo V6 diesel engine.

Designed for installation in Porsche’s new baby SUV, the Cajun, said diesel is a potent piece, churning out 309 hp and a staggering 479 lb-ft of torque in Euro trim.

On the Audi side, the new diesel engine will also be installed in the facelifted Q5, along with versions of the A3, A4, A5, A6, A7, A8 and Q7. There’s also been speculation that a version of this new diesel might also find its way into a range of new S models, though Audi’s head of engineering, Axel Eisner, would only confirm that it had been approved for ‘regular’ production models. He also hinted that Audi is also working on a four-cylinder twin-turbo diesel.

[Source: Autocar]

The Audi Q5 crossover seems like an unlikely candidate for the “RS” treatment, but this mule, spotted wearing some big wheels and a faux TDI badge, seems to suggest that Audi is getting serious with the idea of a rapid version of the Q5.

The vehicle’s cover was blown by the quad exhaust pipes, which are unheard of on a diesel car, as well as wider front fenders and specific wheels that are known to be used on RS test vehicles. Speculation is that Audi’s 3.0L TFSI Supercharged V6 could be underneath the hood, which would make for one potent little cute-ute.

[Source: World Car Fans]

This isn’t a bad joke, people: buoyed by the nonexistent success of the yet-to-be-released Nissan Murano CrossCabrio, Audi is rumored to be considering production of the Q5 Cross Cabrio.

Because Audi’s brand motto is “leave no niche unfulfilled,” they are targeting the popular four-seater-four-wheel-convertible-CUV niche with a Teutonic vengeance. The Q5 CrossCabrio is expected to fulfill its promises of go-anywhere open-topped motoring it laid down at the LA Auto Show way back in 2007; if Audi does go through with it, the Q5 ‘vert would be a limited-edition halo model built, with production outsourced to an external coachbuilder like Magna. It would feature quatto all-wheel-drive and a line of sensible, yet torquey TFSI and TDI gasoline and diesel powerplants. And, you know, the ability to scare your neighbors in a way not since the Pontiac Aztek was introduced. Vorsprung durch Technik, indeed.

[Source: Autoblog.nl]

Somebody in Audi management is busting out the champagne and Hoyo Monterrey Excaliburs. This past March gave them a series of sales records, including the best March US sales and the best overall first quarter of all time.

This was the third month in a row where Audi sales have set records, and in the U.S. March sales were the third-best monthly sales overall.

You want numbers? We got numbers, bucko. 25,383 vehicles were sold this first quarter, a 19.1% increase over the previous year’s. The record-setting March 2011 saw 9,818 vehicles moved out of Audi showrooms, an increase of over 1,000 vehicles from March 2010—or 14.3%. From February, sales increased a not-insubstantial 25%. Five Audi models saw sales increases of 20%: the Q7, Q5, TT, R8, and the 2011 Audi A8, which was the biggest winner—compared to sales from 2010, the flagship sedan increased its sales by an overwhelming 788.9%. From just 68 models in March 2010 to 1,371 this past month, the uber-sedan owes its success to its redesign this year.

Hear that sound? It’s somebody at Audi probably getting a promotion. Or another cigar.

During Audi‘s presentation at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show, a company spokesman praised the Audi Q5 Hybrid’s as a usable everyday car and not “…a complicated political statement. While this swipe at a well-known rival may be over the line to some observers, the fact is that they compete for two very different customer bases.

Audi claims that the Q5 Hybrid will best all segment rivals in terms of performance, practicality and efficiency. While we don’t have the numbers off-hand, we’re sure that for the kind of urban driving that crossovers tend to do, the Q5 Hybrid makes a lot of sense. Starting with Audi’s much loved 2.0T engine, the Q5 adds a 44-horsepower electric motor to the already potent 208 horsepower. Total torque output is 354 lb-ft, helping the car get to 60 mph in 7 seconds.

With an electric-only driving range of just under 2 miles, trips to the store could probably be done emissions free. Not that most buyers will care. The status of owning a hybrid is all they need to do their part for planet earth.

GALLERY: Audi Q5 Hybrid

Initially, Audi hadn’t planned to bring its baby crossover across the pond, but with market demand for luxury compact crossovers exploding, the German automaker is poised to reconsider that move.

The small luxury CUV segment grew 22.3 percent last year, causing several manufacturers to bring new vehicles to market, including BMW with its X1.

Another reason for Audi’s change of mind might be the sales performance generated by the Q5, which has become one of Audi’s hottest selling models – in the US. .alone it has recorded a 70 percent sales increase year over year.

But it’s also been a big player on the global stage too – traditionally, most auto manufacturers have struggled to have a single best selling car in multiple markets, though the Q5 appears to be defying that trend.

According to Peter Schwarzenbauer, Audi’s global sales supremo “I don’t remember in my 25 years in the auto industry, one model that was successful in every country, but the Q5 was a huge hit around the world. We think the Q3 could write a similar success story.”

The possible North American introduction of the Q3 is part of Audi’s next phase of brand development, in which it hopes to sell around 200,000 units annually in the U.S. by 2018 as well as pushing into new segments, including higher price brackets and small cars. Audi of America CEO Johann De Nysschen says the brand is already drawing more affluent buyers than before thanks to the current A8; with additional movement in that direction expected in the foreseeable future.

He also hinted that the A1, Audi’s smallest vehicle, might eventually make it to the U.S., but that would have to wait until it’s redesigned once more, as the current A1 wasn’t conceived with North America in mind.

[Source: Ward's Auto World]