New Audi SQ5

[PJV997]

Just seen that Audi are about to launch a new SQ5, v6 petrol ‘mild hybrid’ on their new premium combustion platform.

Apparently it’s mainly targeted at US market, but the article implies also destined for UK.

Given the Macan is based on Q5 platform, it’s disappointing that there won’t be a new Macan from the same platform. After all, Audi make an EV of similar size.

[Moriarty]

Who knows? Things change and plans change with them. But it would still take time for Porsche to develop a new Macan from the Q5 so if they do change their mind it would still be a few years before we see a car.

[pmg]

Agreed , I had a similar view. I suspect the isuue is Porsche needs its reducing UK ICE allocations as the set EV targets rise to cover its 911 sales with few ICE slots above available to justify a new ICE Macan. it will be intersting to see now many SQ5's Audi manage to find slots to permit a UK sale without £15K fine.

I can see how the US market with no ICE proportion restrictions remains Audi's main target market for SQ5

[Jon A]

Agreed , I had a similar view. I suspect the isuue is Porsche needs its reducing UK ICE allocations as the set EV targets rise to cover its 911 sales with few ICE slots above available to justify a new ICE Macan. it will be intersting to see now many SQ5's Audi manage to find slots to permit a UK sale without £15K fine.

I can see how the US market with no ICE proportion restrictions remains Audi's main target market for SQ5

Agreed. 911 is Porsche number one priority and everything else is just designed to support that range.
This is very different from a couple of decades ago when Cayenne saved the company (allegedly)

[Moriarty]

But of course Porsche will make their product development decisions from a global viewpoint, not much influenced by whatever the regulations are in the UK. It seems for the upcoming years they are launching more EVs (718, etc.), and they just updated the Taycan.

I saw today an announcement that VW is closing two of its manufacturing plants in Germany, because they are selling half a million fewer cars per year than they used to. They talked about the necessity of turning around the business within the next two years because they can’t afford the losses they are making. I guess, like other automakers, this is a very difficult and uncertain time, and not the ideal climate for making new, long-term investments.

[Wing Commander]

Agreed , I had a similar view. I suspect the isuue is Porsche needs its reducing UK ICE allocations as the set EV targets rise to cover its 911 sales with few ICE slots above available to justify a new ICE Macan. it will be intersting to see now many SQ5's Audi manage to find slots to permit a UK sale without £15K fine.

I can see how the US market with no ICE proportion restrictions remains Audi's main target market for SQ5

Agreed. 911 is Porsche number one priority and everything else is just designed to support that range.
This is very different from a couple of decades ago when Cayenne saved the company (allegedly)

Cayenne is still their biggest selling model, globally, I believe.

[crockers]

The SQ5 is based on architecture much more modern than the Macan’s. It has the V6 2.9 S tune engine with some EV assistance to over come turbo lag. It doesn’t use the Stronic (PDK) box but a Tiptronic one.
I think it looks fine from the outside - love the lights and the reflective rear brake light in the spoiler. Will now have the light bar across the back.
Inside it’s very modern. I don’t like the dash trim. No physical buttons - when will they learn ???
I look forward to field reports. But I’m not a great Audi fan

[Madelvic]

Agreed , I had a similar view. I suspect the isuue is Porsche needs its reducing UK ICE allocations as the set EV targets rise to cover its 911 sales with few ICE slots above available to justify a new ICE Macan. it will be intersting to see now many SQ5's Audi manage to find slots to permit a UK sale without £15K fine.

I can see how the US market with no ICE proportion restrictions remains Audi's main target market for SQ5

Agreed. 911 is Porsche number one priority and everything else is just designed to support that range.
This is very different from a couple of decades ago when Cayenne saved the company (allegedly)

Hmmm, not sure I agree. Porsche sold 50,146 911s last year out of a total 320,221 sales. Cayenne (87,553 sales) and Macan (87,355 sales) made up the majority of sales. Engineering lead company and I love that but still in the business of making money. They could simply add £15k to every 911 and most customers would just swallow that? Maybe, maybe not.

I’m hoping for them the ev Macan does well - it’s a different proposition to the Taycan after all. Others have said Porsche is an suv company that just happens to make superb sports cars.

I read that Fiat is reverse engineering the new ev 500 to be a phev. Who knows maybe Porsche will do the same with the Macan. I wouldn’t bet on it though

[SAC1]

Full details of Porsche global sales for the first six months of 2024:


https://newsroom.porsche.com/en/2024/co ... 36747.html

[Jon A]

Agreed , I had a similar view. I suspect the isuue is Porsche needs its reducing UK ICE allocations as the set EV targets rise to cover its 911 sales with few ICE slots above available to justify a new ICE Macan. it will be intersting to see now many SQ5's Audi manage to find slots to permit a UK sale without £15K fine.

I can see how the US market with no ICE proportion restrictions remains Audi's main target market for SQ5

Agreed. 911 is Porsche number one priority and everything else is just designed to support that range.
This is very different from a couple of decades ago when Cayenne saved the company (allegedly)

Hmmm, not sure I agree. Porsche sold 50,146 911s last year out of a total 320,221 sales. Cayenne (87,553 sales) and Macan (87,355 sales) made up the majority of sales. Engineering lead company and I love that but still in the business of making money. They could simply add £15k to every 911 and most customers would just swallow that? Maybe, maybe not.

I’m hoping for them the ev Macan does well - it’s a different proposition to the Taycan after all. Others have said Porsche is an suv company that just happens to make superb sports cars.

I read that Fiat is reverse engineering the new ev 500 to be a phev. Who knows maybe Porsche will do the same with the Macan. I wouldn’t bet on it though

I didn’t say 911 was their best seller, I am postulating that it is their priority.
Of course their SUV sales far outnumber their sports cars in terms of sales and profit (I assume), but the company appears to have an ethos of “we exist to make cutting edge sports cars” and the other ranges provide the capital investment required to do just that??
I suspect culturally, to many in the boardroom, 911 IS Porsche!