The 2016 Paris Motor Show will play host to the world premiere of the all-new second generation Audi A5, which further refines a completely new platform, the very latest engine, transmission and quattro drive developments. Blending elegant coupé design with family car functionality and comfort has long been the forté of the sleek Audi A5 Sportback. Seven years and more than 340,000 units later the new generation has arrived and will be in the markets later this year.
Sharing the stage at Paris will be the flagship Audi S5 Sportback, which draws upon a new V6 turbocharged TFSI power plant to deliver 354PS and 500Nm of torque from 1,370 to 4,500 rpm. From rest, it will reach 100 km/h in only 4.7 seconds and can reach a limited top speed of 155mph.
The stretched wheelbase, short overhangs and long, wraparound bonnet featuring a power dome emphasize the dynamism of the five-door coupé silhouette. The three-dimensional single-frame grille is significantly flatter and wider than on the previous model.
The wave-pattern shoulder line is a key contributor to the A5 Sportback’s elegant stance. It is more strongly accentuated than on the previous model and traces all three dimensions, creating interplay of light and shadow. The pronounced bulges over the wheel arches underscore the quattro DNA.
The appearance of the new S5 Sportback follows the form of Audi S models and is subtle yet appropriately brawny. The bumper, air inlets and side sills feature distinctive contours. Many of the S-specific styling additions are painted in graduated tones of matt grey. Aluminum inlays accentuate the design inside, while the exterior mirror housings shine in an aluminum look.
The new Audi A5 and S5 Sportback have grown significantly inside. The interior length has gained 17mm, the shoulder room for driver and front passenger up to 11mm and the rear knee room 24mm. The sophisticated materials and color schemes and outstanding build integrity in the interior are typical of Audi. The optional ambient lighting with 30 colors to choose from evokes a fitting interior mood.
The A5 Sportback rates among the best in its class with 480 liters of luggage capacity extending to 1300 liters with the rear seats down,. Audi also offers the option of sensor control for opening and closing the standard-fit electric luggage compartment lid.
Virtual cockpit
Thanks to the all-new operating and display concept, including free-text search, the driver can control all functions effortlessly and intuitively. As an alternative to the standard-fit analogue instrument dials, the Audi virtual cockpit with its various display options brings the driver added convenience. The large, high-resolution TFT monitor (12.3 inches) presents richly detailed graphics. The optional head-up display projects all relevant information onto the windscreen.
Audi’s flagship infotainment version is MMI navigation plus with MMI touch. It includes such features as 10 GB of flash storage, a DVD drive, Audi connect services free of charge for three years, up to five free navigation updates and an 8.3-inch high resolution monitor.
The Audi smartphone interface integrates iOS and Android phones in an environment specially developed for them in the MMI. The Audi phone box connects smartphones to the on-board antenna to provide superior reception quality. It also charges the smartphone inductively, without any wires, using the Qi standard. The Bang & Olufsen Sound System with innovative 3D sound opens up the spatial dimension of height and gives the driver the sense of sitting in a concert hall. Its amplifier supplies 755 watts of power to 19 loudspeakers.
The driver assistance systems cover a wide range of functions in the new Audi A5 Sportback. Playing a central role is the adaptive cruise control (ACC) Stop&Go system including traffic jam assist. It relieves drivers in slow-moving traffic up to a driving speed of 40mph by assuming the tasks of braking and accelerating the car, and it also temporarily takes charge of steering it on better roads.
The predictive efficiency assistant, which evaluates GPS information from the car’s immediate surroundings, helps to save fuel by giving specific driving advice — a unique feature in this segment.
Collision avoidance assist intervenes if the car needs to drive around an obstacle to avoid an accident. Based on data from the front camera, ACC and radar sensors, it computes a recommended driving line within a fraction of a second.
The lineup is rounded out by other assistance systems such as turn assist, park assist, cross traffic assist rear, exit warning, camera-based traffic sign recognition, Audi active lane assist and Audi side assist.
Customers can choose between two TFSI engine versions for the new Audi A5 Sportback. Compared with the previous model, Audi has reduced their fuel consumption by as much as 22 percent while increasing power output by up to 17 percent.
The top version of the 2.0 TFSI produces 252PS and 370 Nm of torque. It sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in six seconds on its way to an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. Up to 47.8mpg combined is achievable, which corresponds to 136 grams of CO2 per kilometer.
The second version of the 2.0 TFSI has an output of 190PS and 320 Nm of torque. The power unit is responsive, flexible and thoroughly economical. The efficiency of the 2.0 TFSI with 190PS is the result of an innovative combustion principle. The comparatively high displacement is no handicap– in fact, it is essential. Customers of the new Audi A5 Sportback enjoy the advantages of a small-displacement engine when driving at moderate speeds, without having to compromise when it comes to faster driving.
Six-speed manual transmission, seven-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch transmission or eight-speed tiptronic — there is tailor-made drivetrain technology available for every engine version. Front-wheel drive is standard, with quattro all-wheel drive available as an option in two versions.
The body of the new Audi A5 Sportback is the lightest in the segment. An intelligent mix of materials makes it 15 kilograms lighter than that of its predecessor. The overall weight of the new generation has fallen by as much as 85 kilograms to just 1,470 kilograms.
Available later this year: New Audi A5 has sharp looks and lighter body
Available later this year: New Audi A5 has sharp looks and lighter body
