Following its first public appearance at the Beijing Motor Show in China, Audi Philippines has announced the arrival of the new Audi Q5 premium 5-seater SUV in the third quarter of 2009.

The Audi Q5 will join the Audi Q7 as the Audi brand's second model in the sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment. The Audi Q5 will be an overtly sporty vehicle that will add an important product to the Audi model range.

The new smaller brother of the already very popular Audi Q7 has been designed as a multi-function vehicle for sport, leisure and family activities.

A spacious interior with a myriad of intelligent functions and innovative technologies for dynamic driving excitement are once again proof of Audi's claim, "Vorsprung durch Technik" (German for Advancement through technology).

At 4.63 meters long, 1.88 meters wide and just 1.65 meters high, the Q5 is the sportiest SUV in its class and will stand out on Philippine roads with its coupe-like styling, expressive grille and headlights, as well as the eye-catching LED technology used both in the daytime running lights and taillights. Alloy wheels of up to 20 inches will give the SUV a robust flair.

Through a revolutionary front-shift of the front axle, the Audi Q5 boasts the longest wheelbase in this segment (2.81 meters). This not only makes for a roomy interior that comfortably accommodates five persons and storage space up to 1,560 liters in volume, but also allows for the optimum distribution of axle load, good directional stability, high comfort and impressive dynamics.

As only logical for a dynamic SUV, the Q5 will be built with the quattro permanent all-wheel drive as a standard with a 40:60 asymmetric/dynamic torque split and will be available with the Audi drive select, which changes the character of the car at the touch of a button. The new Audi Q5 offers virtually countless clever features, many of them known from the luxury class only.

These include a roof load sensor that allows the ESP (electronic stabilization program) to adjust to the higher center of gravity caused by roof loads, and innovative driver assistance and safety systems. These include the Audi parking system advanced with rearview camera, the navigation system with three-dimensional maps and the high-beam assistant that automatically switches between the high and low beams.

Additionally, the Audi Q5 features the Audi side assist, which monitors the vehicle's blind spot. It also has the Adaptive cruise control which maintains a constant distance from the vehicle in front.

Multiple storage functions like the foldable front seat allows for transportation of large objects such as surfboards. Further, the triple-zone climate control system, the intelligent chip key with keyless entry and electromechanical parking brake guarantee highest levels of convenience for its owner.

Among the multimedia options, the Audi Q5 will be available with MMI, the best operating system on the market with intelligent speech control system, Bluetooth telephone, a DVD drive and TV tuner, an iPod interface and MP3 capability as well as the top-of-the-line sound system from Danish specialists Bang & Olufsen.

The new Audi Q5 will be available in the Philippines with a 211 hp 2.0 liter TFSI engine. The engine features the FSI gasoline direct-injection technology and the innovative Audi valvelift system for outstanding performance, hefty propulsive power and cultivated running while at the same time offering impressive fuel efficiency.

All in all this car is sure to wow any driver, or as the German would say, it definitely sets the bar for "Wunderbar."