The ABT Audi SQ5: The 435-HP “RS Q5” That Audi Refused to Build!
The ABT Audi SQ5 is the high-performance crossover Audi fans have been begging for, but one the company itself refuses to build. In the world of high-performance German SUVs, Audi has a strange, Q5-sized hole in its lineup. We have the RS Q3 and the mighty RS Q8. Meanwhile, BMW and Mercedes have been happily printing money with the X3 M and GLC 63. But an “RS Q5”? It has never existed.
Why? We can only speculate. Is Audi afraid of stealing sales from the legendary RS4 Avant wagon? Only the product planners in Ingolstadt know for sure. But for those who want a Q5 with true RennSport power, that, ladies and gentlemen, is where ABT Sportsline steps in.
ABT Sportsline Creates the ABT Audi SQ5
If you want an Audi tuned to a factory-plus level, you go to ABT. The German tuner has been the Volkswagen Group’s go-to collaborator and factory race team for decades. They don’t just bolt on parts; they re-engineer. And since Audi won’t give us an RS Q5, ABT has simply built it for them.
A Serious Power Boost
The standard Audi SQ5’s 3.0 TFSI V6 is no slouch, with 362 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. But it’s not an “RS” engine. ABT fixes this with its “ABT Power S” performance upgrade.
This isn’t just a simple ECU flash; it’s a comprehensive remap that unleashes the engine’s true potential. The new figures are staggering:
- Power: 362 hp → 435 hp
- Torque: 405 lb-ft → 442 lb-ft
No, it doesn’t quite match the outgoing 500+ hp BMW X3 M, but it’s a massive, transformative leap in performance that puts it in an entirely different class.
Chassis and Style to Match
More power is useless without control. The ABT Audi SQ5 package includes a full chassis and aero upgrade. The suspension is lowered by 1.7 inches (43mm) thanks to a new set of ABT springs. This not only gives the crossover a mean, aggressive stance but also deletes the standard air suspension for a more connected, sporty feel (though this is optional).
The package is rounded out with a set of massive 22-inch ABT EVO alloys, finished in gloss black and wrapped in 255/35 tires. A subtle but effective ABT body kit adds a new front splitter, side skirts, and a new tailgate-mounted spoiler. The final touch? A quad-exhaust arrangement with larger pipes that lets the V6 finally sing.
Price and Availability
The entire package—ECU, suspension, 22-inch wheels, body kit, and interior enhancements like special floormats—goes for around €20,000 (approx. $22,000). For those who just want the power, customers can also pick and choose. You can just get the 435-hp ABT Power S upgrade and be on your merry way.
Expert Analysis: Why This Car Exists
The ABT Audi SQ5 is the perfect example of a tuner listening to the market when the manufacturer won’t. There is clearly a niche of buyers who want a Q5-sized footprint but with the brutal power of an RS model. They want the high-riding position of a crossover, but the performance of a sports sedan.
ABT has delivered exactly that. This isn’t some wild, over-the-top modification; it’s an OEM-level enhancement. It’s the “RS Q5” in all but name, built for the person who would have bought the RS4 Avant, if only it were an SUV.
Conclusion
For now, the ABT Audi SQ5 is the closest we will ever get to a real RS Q5. It’s a beautifully executed package that provides the power, handling, and aggressive styling that the stock SQ5 is missing. It’s a complete, factory-level super-SUV for those who want that “RennSport” badge, even if Audi won’t give it to them.
So, Audi… can we please get an official one now?
What do you think? Is 435 hp enough for this “RS Q5”? Share your thoughts below!
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