So, Audi debuted a potent version of their Q5, the SQ5 has 354 HP 347 ft/lbs torque, 0-60 in 5.2 secs. It's lowered 1.2", firmer suspension, 20" wheels standard and comes nicely appointed for $52,195. Any chance Acura will ever release a hot rod version of the RDX? I imagine if the SQ5 is a good seller for Audi, other manufacturers will follow suit. Thoughts?

 

Not a big follower of Honda/Acura, but what engine would they offer for increased power output? The rest of the stuff is fairly easy to take care of. All I really see is the 3.7L V6 from the MDX, and that isn't that big of a jump in power output. I'm sure it'd be noticeable, but not as substantial as the standard Q5 to the SQ5.

 

Supercharge the current 3.5L or sequential turbo's. Although Honda/Acura seems hesitant to apply forced induction into their line-ups.

 

While they may try to make a competitive product, I feel like their lack of another power plant may either prevent or delay it from coming to market. It'd be a different story if they had something readily available though. It'd be interesting to see what they'd come up with, but I'd guess they'll be a little late to the party.

 

I would expect that this will a limited seller.

 

Time will tell, but I expect SQ5 will have good numbers. Porsche is also set to release the Macan later this year, another hot compact SUV(shares the Q5 platform) Audi's sales surged 21.5% in August, largely fueled by SUV sales. Volvo has available the Polestar R design XC60, not in the same category as the SQ5, but still a nice performance upgrade.
I think there is an untapped market for a performance oriented compact SUV. I like my 2014 AWD RDX, my second choice was the Q5, but the Acura was a far better value, if the SQ5 had been available, I may have chosen differently.

 

Worth noting that with the prestige package, which seems to be upgraded stereo and nav, basically similar to the Acura Tech package, the Msrp jumps to closer to 60k.

 

Nope, never going to happen. With Acura recent redesign of their vehicles they're going for a broader audience. A performance oriented RDX will be a small niche vehicle that I believe Acura isn't interested in.

 

I don't think the SQ5 will be a hot seller, I think it's a very limited market. You can practically get a Cayanne for that price and I think the Cayanne has more room.

 

The Cayanne is bigger, heavier, and has less power. While it is a great SUV, I wouldn't consider it something you'd be shopping for if you were interested in the SQ5. Also, not everyone wants a bigger vehicle all the time. If that were the case, why isn't everyone driving around in Expeditions, Tahoes, and Yukons?

 

True. I would actually have preferred them to bring over the S4 or S6 avants :\

It definitely hits a unique spot in the market, but I don't know if there are enough buyers that want something like that for that kind of money. It's like $10k more than the loaded Q5 with the 3.0T. Kinda like VW's Golf R that started at $35 grand vs a loaded GTI for about $28-$29. I guess if they keep it as a limited production run it would be fine.

 

I think it's fair to compare the 3.0 Q5 premium plus w/ optional 20" wheels at 46,595.00 to SQ5 premium plus at 52,795.00 for what you get another 6,200.00 seems quite a bargain.
I have had good luck with Audi, my wife has one, and it been trouble free. I will definetely consider an SQ5 in a couple of years.

 

Well I certainly agree w/ you here madden re. liking my 2013 RDX + it being a far better value than the other vehicles I considered. As far as the SQ5, well I'll be more inclined to replace my RDX w/ the Macan when released & price dependent as well.

 

I've considered a CPO SQ5 as a potential next vehicle for myself. I'd rather have the EU version, but that's another issue entirely. What I may end up getting is a 3.0 TDI Q5 instead. The one sore spot for the RDX, at least IMO, is that you essentially have 4 options, FWD/AWD and Base/Tech, you can't really get any major items from the tech package on the base. With the Q5 (and most European vehicles), you have the ability to get most things outside of a package, at least major options. You do pay a premium though to do this.

 

I would imagine a Macan with equal or greater performance numbers to the SQ5 will command a fairly hefty price. VW makes about 800.00 profit on every car they sell, Audi makes about 1300.00 profit per car, Porsche makes an eye-popping 20K per vehicle, certainly they don't make that on all models, but that is their average profit per vehicle, some configurations are hugely profitable.

 

Interesting intel madden, thx much. Any idea what our friends @ Acura (Amer. Honda Motor Co) pocket?

 

It was a big news story a few weeks ago the VW/Audi/Porsche profit margins were. I'd guess a big reason for Porsche profits is that their top selling models also happen to be their most expensive models. Add that to the brand name, and you get big profits. I'd guess that Acura is probably somewhere between VW/Audi.

 

Don't forget that Porsche is notorious for having a huge options menu. I bet that the profit on a "stock" model is about 1-2%.

 

Well I missed it, I need to google that but the reasons for it were all touched on.

A lane veer now but in a previous life (single before fam) I bought a new 911SC in Guards red. I really enjoyed that veh. but along came a lady, life, children, blah blah blah. After that sev. BMW sedans (fam room) then fast forward to the Touraeg2, a nice/well built veh. but a tad too large & way too heavy for my needs. While I really enjoy my 2013 tech RDX, IMO it is still missing a few amenities & the Macan may fill that want, w/ more performance as well.

Enough about me/my sit, apologies for the thread hijack, so back on topic now.

 

yeah, as much as we want to compare the two, it's really two separate things.

My wife would always pick the RDX over the Macan... but i may think about trading in my XC60 and go for the Macan if there is significantly more HP than my XC60 (currently 325HP @ 354lb tq)


I would get the SQ5 but honestly...the Q5 looks have to be changing soon....all they really did for MY2013 onwards was change the design of the LED and gril shape a little...there has to be a fresh redesign soon.

 

I do know Honda Motor Corp. pockets 4.32%, as a reference Ford keeps 3.24%, Toyota 8.99%, GM 3.62%, (Honda has been as high as 10%, but 4.32% is the last posted quarter.) BMW keeps 5.122 Billion on sales of 1,540,085 vehicles(2012), I'll let you do the math. Luxury vehicles are the most profitable, so Acura is probably significantly higher than Honda as a whole.But, I couldn't find anything to substantiate that assumption.

 

I think the 2015 will be the next model for the Q5. Audi tends to have a 4 year product cycle with a refresh after 2 years. I guess most manufacturers are on a similar cycle though. Personally, I'd take the TDI Q5 over the SQ5, but I'm sure many wouldn't.

 

I like diesel, but at the end of the day i would want the one with the best performance if I were buying that.

the TQ is fun and great, but still need the HP grunt after. I was contemplating the Tourag Disel - but it was so freaking big T.T

 

I test drove the Touraeg TDI, it's definitely nice but it's grossly overpriced. You have to spend 54k to get leather! And the diesel actually throws just about identical MPG to the RDX V6.

 

Honda has been moving away from their performance vehicles. I doubt we will see any RDX type-R.

Financially and from a market perspective I think it does not make sense. The Germans have built a following on their performance division stuff...///M, AMG, S for each of the major brands. What do you think of when thinking of Honda's performance division? Mugen? Who? Type-R...you mean those Civics with fart cans?

Without building a foundation like ///M or AMG or even Audi's S line from other models, to just throw out a RDX Type-R would not make sense for Honda.

 

Even if they have limited sales, performance luxury vehicles are highly profitable, they build a brands reputation and increase dealer traffic.

 

If nothing else they give people trolling message boards something to talk about

 

Agreed.. I wouldn't buy it either (performance RDX).. to me RDX just for basic transportation, commuting, hauling some stuff a sedan can't handle and better drivability in snow then a sedan. The RDX is already offers pretty good performance to begin with, 0-60 in the low 6's. If they could improve the RDX handling, which isn't bad, but you can tell not as good as a car in turns.

 

wow those performance numbers on SQ5 are horrible consider the hp and torque advantage over the Q5 3.0T. Motortrend tested Q5 3.0T goes 0-60 in 5.4 seconds if i'm not mistaken.

 

yeah it's not much better than my XC60 R-design w/Polestar. (and about 8k more too)

I'll stick with what i have now and wait for a Macan S.


On another note, I love how quite the RDX is. Also the back seat bench is nice and flat, so our puppy loves it. (Wife is very happy, so what else can i say LOL)

 

Lol, Motortrend listed the Audi Q5 3.0 at 0-60 at 5.5 and the R-design XC60 at 6.2, everyone else lists the Q5 3.0 at either 5.9 or 5.8 and the XC60 R-design is 5.7 not 6.2. I take what Motortrend prints with a grain of salt.