Our spies have captured a prototype of the upcoming Audi Q5 facelift during some cold weather testing in northern Europe.

There's not much to say about this specific test car's appearance as it is a prototype for trying out the updated Q5's mechanical hardware (more on that in a bit).

However, we believe that the actual facelifted model will encompass the same styling changes seen on recent Audis such as the refreshed A4 and A5, and which include more stylish and narrower headlamps and the company's new hexagonal front grille.

Our trusty scoopers caught Porsche's development team working on a test mule of the new Cajun junior crossover before it entered the German firm's test facility at the Nürburgring.

Hiding under the Audi Q5 body is a modified version of the crossover's platform with wider tracks that will form the base for the new Porsche Cajun.

It has begun. We're talking about the development phase of the Audi Q6 which will expand the firm's Q series of crossover models and offer the Ingolstadt-based automaker a direct challenger to BMW's successful X6, as well as to the equivalent model that's being planned by Mercedes-Benz.

The prototype seen here is an early engineering test mule sporting an elongated version of the Audi Q5 platform architecture (notice the wider B-pillar on the modified Q5 body), and has been developed to evaluate the Q6's underpinnings and mechanical hardware.

Continuing its assault on Audi's portfolio, German aftermarket specialist has introduced a new package for the Q5 SUV fitted with the 2.0-lited TDI turbo diesel engine.

Thanks to a new performance kit that includes an ECU upgrade, sport filters and a custom exhaust system, the four-cylinder diesel engine's output is lifted from 170-horses and 350Nm to 213HP and 445Nm (328.2 lb-ft).

The Audi Q5 is a compact crossover SUV which was released by German automaker Audi for the 2009 model year. It is built using the new Audi MLP platform (Modular Longitudinal Platform) which debuted in the 2007 Audi A5 coupé. The Q5 is the second Audi model in the “Q” range, after the full-size Audi Q7. The Q5 slots above the future Q3, which will be based on the Volkswagen Tiguan.

Audi Q5
The Audi Q5 is also a playable SUV in Gran Turismo 5.
Initial vehicle models for US and Canada include 3.2 FSI.

The vehicle was unveiled in 2008 Beijing Auto Show.

The Q5 commenced shipments in October 2008 for Europe, and the first quarter of 2009 in North America.

US model went on sale in 2009-03 as 2009 model year vehicle. Early models include 3.2 FSI.

Audi Q5
Indian models went on sale in 2009-06, and were built from Audi’s Ingolstadt facility. Launch models include 3.0 TDI, 2.0 TFSI (211PS).

Middle East models went on sale in 2009 Q2. Launch models include 2.0 TFSI (211PS), 3.2 FSI