2019 is an important year for Audi. It marks the launch of the e-tron, the company's first-ever fully electric vehicle. Audi is also launching a massive product onslaught to boost profits after deliveries fell by 3.5 percent last year, with 20 new or updated models launching this year. We saw one of them last month, as Audi presented the new Q7 facelift with tech borrowed from the flagship Q8. And now Audi is wasting no time giving the popular Q5 an update to maintain the luxury crossover's strong sales.

The second-generation Q5 was unveiled in 2016, so the time seems about right for the luxury crossover to be given a mid-cycle update. While we've seen prototypes of the updated A5 being tested, our spies have now spotted the new Q5 facelift for the first time.

Camouflage is covering up the front and rear fascias, which means the refreshed Q5 will get new headlights, a redesigned grille to match other current Audi models, and a new front bumper with reshaped air intakes. At the back, the updated Q5 has been fitted with new rear lights with a different shape and new graphics, and the rear bumper has also been subtly changed.

No photos have been taken of the interior, but changes should carry over from the recently revealed 2020 Audi A4. As a result, the new Q5 will likely get a new 10.1-inch infotainment screen and Audi's new MMI touch software.

The photographed prototype was a Q5 hybrid, which uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and an electric motor to produce a combined output of 367 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. Chances are that other engine options from the current model will carry over, so expect the US model to offer a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with 252 hp and 273 lb-ft of torque paired with a 7-speed automatic.