Q5 Under The Tuscan Sun
Many people visit this Northern Italy region named Emilia-Romagna for many world-famed attractions. The genius of men and the mystery of universe gave birth to the Renaissance movement here. Legends such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Giovanni Da Verrazzano, and Amerigo Vespucci shaped our sciences, arts, and exploring spirits.
For car enthusiasts, this region has another importance. Some say that the babies born here are very special. They are born with the need for speed. It is hard to argue with that statement knowing that this place has Lamborghini, Ferrari, Maserati, Pagani Zonda, and Dallara.
Despite such exotic reputation, this region doesn't give the opulent impression that one would expect. Instead, tree-lined roads, simple creamy brick houses with red curvy clay roofs, Fiat's and Alfa's, and friendly residents compose most of the daily scenery here. In fact the understatement was so strong in Sant’Agata Bolognese village, about 21 miles from Bologna, that we mistakenly took the Lamborghini factory for a printing factory, and we drove past it.
Lamborghini Factory
By looking at the rows of Audi's at the parking lot, we felt like we had arrived at one of Audi service centers. The new Audi Q5 3.0 TDI we were driving fitted nicely between the Audi S6 and Q7 in the parking lot.
In the beginning, Ferruccio Lamborghini built tractors. He was always fond of driving Ferrari's. He noticed that Ferrari's clutch broke frequently. So, he proposed a heavy-duty clutch design based on his experience building tractors. Ferrari didn't accept his idea. So, being a very passionate person, he did the insane thing. He built his own sports cars.
The history of the Lamborghini had not always been commendable. The company had its ups and down. It changed owners many times. In the eighties and the nineties, the cars were plagued with many quality issues. Some said that Lamborghini owners enjoyed their cars by driving to the mechanics.
Audi bought Lamborghini from an Indonesian owner in 1998. Through many manufacturing process improvements and technology exchanges, Lamborghini was reborn as dramatic as a young Phoenix. Once again, Lamborghini captures many car enthusiasts' hearts.
At the time of our visit, the factory produced seven Gallardo and two-and-a-half Murcielago a day. The factory floor that hosted two production lines was smaller than the typical Walmart superstore. One thing that became very quickly obvious to us was the fact that there was no single robot here. Instead, many devoted craftsmen were meticulously performing their assigned tasks with pride.
There were seven workstations in the Gallardo assembly line. The tasks at each station had to be completed in about 50 minutes, leaving 10 minutes for any unexpected delays. The parts to be assembled on each workstation were delivered just in time. The line moved at the top of the hour. In an eight hour working day, this line produced seven cars. There was only one shift and they were off on weekends. The beauty of human syncopation from the start of the assembly line to the end should be captured in a time-lapse camera.
The Audi V10 engines for the Gallardo were stacked on one side of the factory in Volkswagen-labeled pallets. The Murcielago engines were built right here at the factory. At one corner, an engineer was scrupulously smoothing out the cylinder head of the V12. At the other corner of the factory floor, fabric experts were cutting buttery leather sheets, with the help of a computer, into specially shaped cuts for the various Gallardo and Murcielago interior parts and seats. This section of the factory exuded vogue and tradition at the same time.
The factory museum is located in the modern glass building featuring gleaming vintage, racing, and concept cars. One can admire the legendary Countach's, the curvaceous Miura's, the spartan F1's, the menacing Diablo's, the unconventional Espada's, the jet fighter Reventon, and other historic 350's, 400 GT's, Islero's, and Jarama's. In one afternoon, one can learn the Lamborghini genealogy and heritage.
As we were leaving the parking lot, passing a parked white Gallardo, our silver Q5 matched the gallant stance of its bullish cousin in a subtler manner. The S-line exterior package over a coupe silhouette body imparts the athletic look that is also functional. This design sports a drag coefficient of 0.33; comparable to the 0.34 drag coefficient of the duPont Registry, 201 mph Ferrari F40. The uniquely Audi proportioned body features dynamic but consistent lines that gives the impression that the car always flows. The large single-frame radiator grill shines the inner confidence of the 237 bhp and 368lb-ft of torque 3.0 liter V6 TDI.
The daylight-white LED's arranged above each “winged” headlight allure anyone who looks at his rear view mirror. The ultra-precise laser and spot welding, high-tech adhesive bonding, and hot-forming variable strength zone materials produce the Q5 that is not only sexy and beautiful but also is very capable to handle all occasions. The 19-inch 5-spoke wheels provide the icing on the cake of this already pleasing eye-candy.
Looking at the Gallardo and Q5 side by side, we could see the common theme radiating from these two automobiles despite the fact that they were designed and built for totally different purposes. Both are the product of timeless craving for engineering excellence and craftsmanship.
Montespertoli
Montespertoli, tucked in a brow of the Tuscany picturesque emerald hills covered by vineyards, olive groves, and sunflowers, was our first glimpse to one of the famous wine countries in Europe. We were about to retire from the long drive from Germany and the exciting Lamborghini factory visit. Agriturismo Farm Poni Hotel Montespertoli was our destination.
Agritourismo concept is very common here and it is the best way to enjoy Tuscany. The agritourismo accommodation can simply be described as a bed & breakfast owned and operated by a farm owner. Our host guided us through the main 17th century estate complex where she showed us their collection of wines and extra virgin olive oil.
Our two bedroom faulted ceiling apartment was very comfortable and filled with common amenities and Italian furniture. There was no broadband Internet. But who needed one when the view from the living room and bedroom windows was the vast rows of vineyards and olive groves on green rolling hills accentuated by Italian farmhouses and villas. The evening spring sunset gave an orange glow on the horizon while the waking moon highlighted the deep dark blue sky on the opposite side.
Sitting on the reclined garden chair before this calming picture, I sensed every part of my body relaxing and I drifted away into blissfulness. Traces of adrenaline from the Q5 off road ride we had earlier produced flashbacks to the memorable and exhilarating moments.
Off road driving in Q5
There were many unpaved roads that the satellite navigation system didn't know in this region. Earlier, we quickly and happily got lost. The 3-D mode of the satellite navigation highlighted the contour of the landscape before us through shading technique, and this gave us better depth perception for the terrain.
Driving through steep angled roads infested by abysmal potholes made us, city slickers, very nervous. We were wishing we had a Hummer instead. Our 3G phones were out of range and the last farmhouse we passed were many miles ago on the other side of the hill. Not knowing for sure what to do, we let the Q5 brain to get us out of this trouble.
Packed with the computing power that is superior to the one in the Apollo 13, this Q5 features many drive assist programs for all kinds of driving. The ones that were very useful to us this afternoon were the 40/60 front/rear biased Quattro, the hill decent assist program, the dynamic electronic stabilization program, and the seven speed S-tronic. On a dare devil, gut wrenching downhill ride that we didn't mean to take, the brain of this Q5 was continuously monitoring for any minute shift in the center of the gravity of the car, and adjusting the power distribution, the braking modulation, and the gear selection to ensure not only the safety of its passengers but also the enjoyment of off road driving.
The spa-like scents of thyme, mint, sage, and juniper carried by the Tuscan breeze failed to reduce my anxiety. With sweat dripping from my forehead and my heartbeat drumming like Phil Collins in concert, I let the parking brake off, and I eased the brake pedal. Concentrating on where I should be going and pointing the steering wheel at the next point I wanted to get, I let the Q5 managing the power and braking. The ample ground clearance with the exceptionally high 31 degree climb and 25 degree lateral incline numbers combined with the electromagnetic continuous damping control (CDC) shock absorber system and the aerospace-technology-based variable ratio Audi dynamic steering provided this Q5 the Spiderman-like crawling ability.
We were not only relieved once we got to the bottom, but also, strangely, we wanted to do it again! Looking up at the steep hill we just conquered, I saw the Hollywood ablaze-car-tumbling-down-the-hill scene in my head. Had we tumbled down the steep hill, the Q5 safety features would have prevented the explosive Hollywood scene.
Upon the first frontal contact with the ground, a finely choreographed series of protective measured would have been triggered. The front cross-member would have distributed the impact forces through the upper and lower longitudinal structures and would have dissipated the energy through defined deformation. The aluminum sub-frame that supports the front axle and engine would have diverted the forces into the floor tunnel of the occupant compartment. The steering column would have been pushed away from me and the pedals would have disengaged from their mounts.
Almost instantaneously, the safety sensor meshed network would have provided the force data to the control unit so it would have timely coordinated the restraint system forward movement and the airbag inflation and deflation based on the weight of the occupants and the severity of the impact. Additionally, the control unit would have cut off the fuel line so no fuel could escape from the fuel cell located in the protected zone ahead of the rear axle sub-frame. With such safety measures, we would not end up at a hospital, but an eyewitness would probably upload the embarrassing video onto YouTube.
SR 222
The morning sun did not shine on my face. The roasters did not wake me up. It was my intrusive alarm from my mobile phone that did it. This place was just too tranquil to do anything this early. But we were on a mission; to enjoy Q5 3.0 TDI under the Tuscan sun.
SR 222 goes through the wine region of Tuscany. No wonder the Italian loves to make sports cars. Roads like this are their source of inspiration. The mesmerizing rolling hills, the fast switch backs, and the occasional exhilarating hairpins are all can be found here with the postcard-like scenery.
Imagine if you have been towing a two-ton weight and then all of the sudden that weight disappears. All of the energy used to carry the enormous weight is now available at your disposal to be used for whatever your heart desires. And that's what I had to unleash on these Tuscan roads.
To optimize the power delivery on the smooth paved road, I selected the Dynamic mode of the Audi Drive Select feature. This mode sets the engine's throttle response, the dual-clutch transmission's shift points, the CDC shock absorber, and the Servotronic speed-dependent power steering into a racing inspired driving characteristic map. If I were a seasoned weekend racer, I would opt to individually program the 24 variables of driving characteristic map and save the customized map on my personal key memory.
Gunning the car on a deserted straight, the quite diesel engine roared its baritone sporty sound. And at the S-tronic shift points, the sound of the turbo blow-off valves added a melody to the exhilarating soundtrack. At this back pressing acceleration, the view of distant villas and stone farmhouses that dotted the hills stayed relatively sharp and in place, but the view of perfectly lined and manicured cypresses on the sides of the road became blurry. Coming into a series of downhill switchbacks, I trail braked and paddle shifted to fifth and fourth, the engine burbled. I turned the wheels to hit the apex. Then, I quickly pressed the accelerator to pick up speed and paddle shifted to fifth.
As I performed this blissful act, the Q5 brain was analyzing signals from fourteen sensors. And based on the signals and the Dynamic driving characteristic map, the brain continuously adjusted the electrically governed shock absorber at each individual wheels every millisecond to counteract the body roll.
Additionally, all suspension control arms are made of forged aluminum parts. The anti-roll bar is designed and made from a high-strength tube. The five-link front suspension handles longitudinal and lateral forces separately when the car is in motion. This engineering prowess guarantees low unsprung masses and precise handling. Hence, this Q5 exhibited a Le Mans and DTM inspired sports car handling.
Quickly we forgot that we were in an SUV, because there was no sense of terror during the high-speed maneuvers. We just wanted to drive and drive some more. That's all we wanted to do till our stomachs started complaining.
Greve in Chianti
Arriving at Greve, we switched our minds from devouring curves to devouring Tuscan delicacies. Greve in Chianti is synonymous with the famous wine for a simple reason; the Chianti originated here. This was originally a market town of the Chianti Classico wine zone of Tuscany, because it was at the crossroads of merchant traffics in the past time. Every September, wine connoisseurs from all over the world flock to this town to attend the largest wine fair in the region.
The main cobblestone piazza has a unique triangular shape lined with porticoes. On weekends, this piazza is buzzing with activities just like in the old days. Aromatic Italian foods, fresh vegetables and fruits, vibrant flowers, adorning crafts, cured meats, and smooth silky fabrics attract not only local residents but also many visitors from neighboring towns and villages.
The simple buildings in this town feature terracotta tiles, beamed ceilings, neoclassical facades, and plantation shutter windows. The statue of the explorer Giovanni da Verrazzano, who discovered New York Harbor, stands proudly at the center.
We stopped here to enjoy the weekend market ambiance and the Italian fried vegetable and seafood snacks. Out of the intensity agricultural activities in this region, every ingredient that made up the simple snacks was extremely savory and delicious. As a matter of fact, the menus in this region change several times in a year according to the different harvests to maximize the ingredients' freshness. The cyclical menus have been perfected over centuries of passion and hard work. The result is self evident in the Tuscan delicacies.
Siena
Driving towards Siena, I discovered a nifty feature. When I crossed the middle lane without turning my turn signal on, the departure lane warning system vibrated the steering wheel. It vibrated like my mobile phone. In California, during my regular commute, I witnessed other drivers brushing teeth, putting make up, reading Wall Street Journal, and eating with chopsticks on the highways. Those people will welcome this feature.
Piazza de Campo, the Siena's enormous bowl-shaped piazza, was the best place to relax and do nothing. There were not many things going on but at the same time there were. In relatively mellow afternoon, over a thousand visitors were sun bathing on the cobblestone piazza, eating at open-air restaurants, drinking coffees at espresso bars, and shopping at the stores lining the edges of the piazza.
From a sleepy lounging spirit, this piazza can turn into a very happening, noisy, and hobnobbing place. Once a year, the piazza is turned into a horse race track. Thunders of hooves bounce the Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia brick buildings during the annual famous Palio horse race.
Cortona
Heading towards Cortona, I turned on the adaptive cruise control. When we were approaching a slow moving tour bus, the system automatically slowed the car down. I turned the left signal on to indicate my intention to move to the left lane. Almost immediately, the orange LED's tucked in the inner side of the driver side mirror flashed rapidly. I was alerted and watched for the fast traffic from behind. A second later a tiny Alfa overtook us and the bus in a very swift manner.
Cortona's medieval architectures and steep narrow streets situated on a hillside are the distinguishing characteristics of this town. A maze of slim alleys filled with delis, bakeries, cappuccino bars, restaurants, fashion and craft stores, and ornate churches greeted us as we entered the fortified town center. At 600 meters above the see level, there were abundant panoramic views from the edges of the city.
We visited the crowded espresso bar in this town that had a sweeping view of the valley. Italian drives fast even on narrow roads. But when it comes to drinking espresso, one will never find a to-go cup in this region. Everyone stood around an espresso bar conversing and enjoying their coffee between their fast driving. So, those cup holders in Gallardo must have been put in specifically for us. I bet the Alfa driver who overtook us on the way here was somewhere in this bar.
Florence
Visiting Tuscany would not be complete without exploring Florence. Founded by Julius Caesar in 59 BC, Florence was the epicenter of Renaissance movement in 1500's. It is a place where arts, architectures, and cultures come to meet you. Florence's fascinating sights, brimming ambiance, and ambrosial smells give any visitor sensory overload.
The relatively compact old town, separated from the modern town by the medieval walls, hosts many gigantic grandiose monuments, churches, and buildings that ooze gripping adventures and romances, victories and defeats. The Duomo, domed Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral, was the best place to start. We then spirally moved outward to absorb the historical glories and sorrows this place had endured.
Bartolomeo Ammanati's Marble Fountain of Neptune in Piazza della Signoria is a remarkable engineering masterpiece. Built in mid 15th century, this Roman aqueduct is still functioning. Another great engineering accomplishment in this town is the unique Ponte Vecchio, old bridge that goes over Arno River. On each sides of this 14th century bridge, multi-story structures that used to be resident quarters are now hosting shops selling Tuscan keepsakes to tourists.
Thousands of years ago, Roman troops marched down these narrows cobblestone alleys in their protective metal gears and helmets. The sounds of their footsteps and the rubbing metals bounced of the tall dark gray stonewalls on each sides. Today, the proximity sensors, the rear view camera, the Servotronic steering made navigating this Q5 through the same alleys a breeze. The perfect fit size of this SUV enabled us to easily explore the old historic town without upsetting the pedestrians. The panoramic glass roof ensured that we would not miss any architectural details of the magnificent and ornate Renaissance structures.
The delicious smell of the Florentine tripe sandwich from a food stall in the alley made us hungry. We decided to try a trattoria, a small family owned restaurant that offered a rustic Tuscan ambiance. A bed of asparagus dripped with extra virgin olive oil and a plate of spaghetti covered with tomato sauce and basil looked deceivingly plain, but they surely woke up our palates.
Q5 under the Tuscan Sun
Tuscany is a place where many things have changed and, at the same time, many things have stayed the same since the Roman time. This is a place where both tradition and progress walk together hand-in-hand. These two words seem to contradict. But here in Tuscany, both are parts of daily life, and both are essential to births of new ideas.
Tuscan foods, arts, and cultures were not formed in one day, one week, one decade, or even one century. Thousands of years of passion and persistence for perfection of many generations made the today's enchanting and inspiring Tuscan people, culture, foods, and crafts.
Similarly, Audi would not have been able to produce a car as dynamic as Q5 had it not for the Audi 100 years of tradition and Vorsprung durch Technik. Like the people born in Tuscany, many past generations of Audi designers and engineers passed their wisdom to the new ones so, today, we can enjoy our spine tingling Audi's.
Tuscany Photo Gallery
If you enjoy driving through unpaved roads and crossing creeks in a forest, navigating through traffics in an urban jungle, cruising at 225 km/h on an autovia, and arriving stylishly at a red carpet dinner party, and you do not want to have four cars for the different occasions, then Q5 is the car for you. It is also the perfect car for a family man who won't give up his fast toy. With comprehensive safety features built into this Q5, any family would feel very safe even if the Roman resurrected and attacked again.
- Andreas Dharmawan's blog
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