The all-new 2017 Audi Q5 has been revealed at the Paris Motor Show… the premium SUV follows its near-twin the Volkswagen Tiguan to market.THE ALL-NEW 2017 Audi Q5, like the Volkswagen Tiguan we’ve just driven, is the first SUV by Audi to be built on the VW Group’s MQB modular platform. It shares much of its oily bits with its VW sibling but that’s no bad thing.

Audi claim the new Q5 has seen it focus on “connectivity, driver assistance, aeroacoustics and driving dynamics”.

“The first Audi Q5 was for many years the world’s best-selling SUV in its class. It was no easy task to design its successor, but that is precisely why it is so very exciting,” said Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management at AUDI AG. “With the new Q5 we are setting the bar a notch higher. Among the great innovations are the quattro drive system with ultra-technology, highly efficient engines, the air suspension with damper control and a comprehensive line-up of infotainment and assistance systems.”

© image/jpeg While you can clearly see shapes and hints from its Tiguan sibling, the new Q5 looks every inch its own vehicle thanks to its headlights and single frame grille. It will be available with Xenon headlights as standard and either LED or Audi’s clever high-resolution Matrix LED with dynamic indicators as options.

Like the Tiguan, and apologies for laboring this point, but the two models are intrinsically linked, the new Q5 is lighter and up to 90kg lighter in its base model. The new Q5 measures 4.66 metres long, 1.89 metres wide and 1.66 metres tall with a 2.82-metre wheelbase – compared to the previous model, the new Q5 has grown in nearly all of its dimensions.

The rear seat back of the new Audi Q5 is split into three segments: 40:20:40. Longitudinal and seat back angle adjustment are cost optional. Depending on the rear seat position, the basic volume of the luggage compartment ranges from 550 to 610 litres, 10 litres more than in the previous model. When the rear bench is folded down, this volume grows to 1550 litres. Cargo loading is simplified by a power-operated tailgate fitted as standard, an optional variably folding mat, optional hands-free control of the power tailgate (you simply stab your foot under the back of the car to activate it) and manual lowering of the body via cost-optional air suspension.

Full coverage: 2016 Paris Motor Show

Like other new Audi models being released, the new Q5 is available with the brand’s excellent Virtual Cockpit, which features a 12.3-inch colour screen that replaces the analogue dials and can show either virtual dials or be replaced to show map data. The central MMI infotainment and communication system is an 8.3-inch screen controlled by a rotary push dial. It recognises handwritten entries as well as gestures familiar from smartphones and tablets, such as zooming gestures.

The new Audi Q5, like the Q7 and the A4, has a self-learning “personal route assist” function. After activating this function, the navigation system learns the routes and destinations that the customer regularly selects, and it associates this information to the parked position and time of day.

While the Australian engine line-up hasn’t been announced, the new Q5 is available with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol four-cylinder and also a refreshed 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel. Unlikely to be offered locally, but available on Q5 is a six-speed manual, but it’s the seven-speed S tronic we’ll likely get here.

The new Q5 gets similar chassis options to the Tiguan, including Dynamic steering, which VW calls Progressive Steering and can vary steering gear ratio depending on steering angle and speed. The Q5 is also available with adjustable dampers or adaptive airbag suspension.

The new Audi SUV comes from the factory with 18-inch alloy wheels. The Sport equipment line comes with 18-inch wheels, and the S line package with 19-inch wheels. Wheels up to 21 inches in diameter are available as options.

The new Q5 will go on-sale in Europe early next year and is likely to arrive here towards the middle of next year.