China-Bound 2022 Audi Q5 e-tron Spotted Testing In Germany

Audi has been testing the upcoming Q5 e-tron in Germany, as our latest spy photos reveal. The SUV is expected to be a Chinese-market special, designed to offer much of the performance of the Q4 e-tron with some extra space for passengers.

Based on the same MEB platform as the Q4 e-tron and the Volkswagen ID.4, the Q5 e-tron is expected to be larger than both, much like VW’s China-only ID.6. In fact, its length of 4,876 mm (192 inches) is identical to the latter.

Although it’s well-camouflaged, we can see some of the design cues that were exposed when the Q5 e-tron was leaked in August. The large frontal area will offer up lots of space for Audi’s signature single-frame grille, while a design line at the rear haunch is clearly visible.

Our spy photographers have previously revealed that inside, the Q5 e-tron will feature a digital instrument cluster and a large infotainment screen. The shots make it look very similar to the Q4 e-tron, which has a 10.25-inch instrument display and a 11.6-inch infotainment screen.

The August leak also revealed three trim levels for the Q5 e-tron. The 35 e-tron will be powered by a single rear-mounted 177 hp (180 PS/132 kW) motor, the 40 e-tron by a 201 hp (204 PS/ 150 kW) motor, and the 50 e-tron will get two motors and all-wheel-drive, for a total of 295 hp (299 PS/219 kW). All are likely to receive a 77 kWh battery, which in the ID.6 offers up to 588 km (365 miles) of range on China’s NEDC test cycle.

The SUV is expected to go on sale in China later this year. North American and European buyers will get the Q6 e-tron instead, which will be based on the more advanced PPE platform that will also be used by the next-gen, all-electric Porsche Macan.