As with the forthcoming Q7, the Q5 will be more of a soft-roader than a full-on 4x4 vehicle but it will come with hill descent control and air suspension.
Insiders suggest that the Q5's quattro all-wheel-drive system will feature a 40/60% front/rear torque bias.
It will share its underpinning with that of the A4 and likely engines will include Audi's 2.0 T FSI, 2.0 TDI and 3.2-litre V6 units.
Styling will resemble that of the A3 Sportback and Q7 models.