A Q5 with an Australian accent...
06-17-2010, 04:47 PM
#11
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 21
Re: A Q5 with an Australian accent...
Yeah, i wonder sometimes with the mindset of ze Germans sometimes...
They are able to create such ingenuity as lane assist, damper control suspension a warming/colling cup holder, intuitive engine management systems and gear boxes but can't get their act together to sit down and develop (or at least commission) a consistent lighting program for the entire car...
Ah well, spose the Q5 can't too perfect...
Chicken.
They are able to create such ingenuity as lane assist, damper control suspension a warming/colling cup holder, intuitive engine management systems and gear boxes but can't get their act together to sit down and develop (or at least commission) a consistent lighting program for the entire car...
Ah well, spose the Q5 can't too perfect...
Chicken.
06-17-2010, 09:30 PM
#13
Audi Forum - Posts like an RS4
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Brampton/Mississauga
Posts: 800
Re: A Q5 with an Australian accent...
Hi Chicken,
Great review, thanks! I would like to have a look at that write up of yours, could you please post a link?
We only get the 3.2 for the first two years, and now for 2011 we are getting the 2.0t.
Thanks again,
Alex
Great review, thanks! I would like to have a look at that write up of yours, could you please post a link?
We only get the 3.2 for the first two years, and now for 2011 we are getting the 2.0t.
Thanks again,
Alex
Hi Alex,
The 2.0T is an awesome engine, i am very happy with it. Before my Q5 i stepped out of a 6.0L V8, sure it doesnt have the same 'put you in the back of the seat' power, but it is a very capable engine.
The new valve lift system gives extra pull in this 2.0T engine they use across the full range of Audi and VW so it is better equipped for the 1 tonne Q5. On that, it certainly doesnt feel like a SUV... I feared that a 2.0 litre engine wouldnt be enough to pull along the weight but am very pleased, still!
It pulls well away from lights and has good torque across the range. It is also much lighter than the 3.0TDi so i felt when i was test driving that it was lighter on the nose and less cumbersome.
I have had the ECU upgrade done by APR and got an extra 1.0 sec 0.62 mph, which now gives it a great punch, it also has tightened up the pedal response and better take off. I recommend an ECU upgrade to everyone on all engine models.
All in all, i love it... If you want to hear more about the ECU upgrade, lety me know, i did a write up on it for another Audi forum i'm on in Australia.
What's the model line up where you are?
We have the 2.0, 3.0 TDi, and the 3.2 FSi, and 2.0 TFSi - all only come in S-Tronic, no manual gearboxes.
Chicken.
The 2.0T is an awesome engine, i am very happy with it. Before my Q5 i stepped out of a 6.0L V8, sure it doesnt have the same 'put you in the back of the seat' power, but it is a very capable engine.
The new valve lift system gives extra pull in this 2.0T engine they use across the full range of Audi and VW so it is better equipped for the 1 tonne Q5. On that, it certainly doesnt feel like a SUV... I feared that a 2.0 litre engine wouldnt be enough to pull along the weight but am very pleased, still!
It pulls well away from lights and has good torque across the range. It is also much lighter than the 3.0TDi so i felt when i was test driving that it was lighter on the nose and less cumbersome.
I have had the ECU upgrade done by APR and got an extra 1.0 sec 0.62 mph, which now gives it a great punch, it also has tightened up the pedal response and better take off. I recommend an ECU upgrade to everyone on all engine models.
All in all, i love it... If you want to hear more about the ECU upgrade, lety me know, i did a write up on it for another Audi forum i'm on in Australia.
What's the model line up where you are?
We have the 2.0, 3.0 TDi, and the 3.2 FSi, and 2.0 TFSi - all only come in S-Tronic, no manual gearboxes.
Chicken.
06-17-2010, 10:55 PM
#14
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 21
Re: A Q5 with an Australian accent...
Well I have been lucky enough to test the stage 1 ECU upgrade software on my 2.0 TFSI Q5 for the last week or so and wanted to report back on how it has been running.
I volunteered to Guy at Harding Performance to put my car up as a guinea pig for the stage 1 ECU upgrade software when it came available and last week James and Guy downloaded the brand new software for a trial...
Guy and James lent me the Performance Box device that measures 0 - 100 times via GPS and went out and did some stock runs to get a base line of performance.
After some runs I worked out that I had to do some manual launch control work to get a clean start as the lag in the DSG gearbox forces you into a rolling movement before the revs build to 3000 rpm and the engine management decides to actually start moving the wheels beyond a snail paced roll.
Just mashing the go pedal performed considerably badly, the end result was hitting the gas and holding the break and just before revs hit 3000 (go over 3000 at stationary and the engine management cut all revs out completely), then letting the break go and your off…
So after getting the baseline, now some runs with the upgraded software, same again, less dicking around this time…
So what was the result - well I am happy to report that the average improvement across 14 stock runs and about 11 upgrade runs that I was able to get a consistent average of 1.1 seconds improvement 0 – 100.
I need to say that the claimed 0 – 100 time for the 2.0TFSI by the manual is just that, claimed, 7.2 secs - pfftt – I wasn’t able to get anywhere near the claimed result, with my best run at stock at 8.0 secs – average was 8.3. My best run with the upgrade was about 7.1, and average times 7.2 (pretty consistent huh).
The next comments I provide 100% free of any facts and any actual substantiation and is solely my view on the drivability of the Q5 post upgrade…
I love it.
I had a chance to throw the Q5 around a bit over the weekend through some twisty turny and hilly roads in and around Brisbane, and I had a ball. The new torque post upgrade can really be felt when working up and around hills and turns, I really had some fun and to say I was impressed is an understatement… The website for the APR software states something like “It gives it the extra edge these cars lack from the factory…” I can’t agree more, it really puts a bit more excitement in the everyday driving of the Q5…
Taking off from lights is effortless now (not that the 2.0T laboured previously), but the ease at which you can pull away is really noticeable now… The pulling power is right there when you need/want it...
I have been a subscriber to the issues with the DSG gearbox lag – I am happy to report this almost eliminates the lag issue, it is still there if you mash the gas, but normal and “get out of trouble” acceleration is hugely reduced near to nothing…
Some people may ask me here about fuel consumption, in short, I don’t know, not really a concern of mine so will need to check that out for yourself, but all reports say that it is improved post upgrade.
All in all Q5-ers the APR Stage 1 software upgrade is awesome, I recommend it to everyone, whether it’s for everyday driveability, or for like me the peep’s that like a bit more zip in your everyday driver, it’s worth it.
I currently have the software on trial, and cannot see myself going back to the sans upgrade performance, I believe the prices dropped earlier this year so it’s affordable and the guys at Harding Performance - Guy and James are good guys that have local dealers all over the country.
BTW - this isn’t a paid advertising, just a local Q5 enthusiast that was happy to give a true and honest account of my experience with the Stage 1 software… I’m looking forward to see what other ‘enhancements’ are around the corner for the Q5…
Chicken.
