Now although most PHers will remember 2007 as the year Audi
launched the R8
, it was also the time the original A5 made its debut. Not as exciting as the mid-engined supercar, yes, but it's clearly been a very important car for Audi going by the number seen on British roads. Here is the radically different second generation, set to fulfil whichever Audi stereotype you wish to deploy today.
Spotted the mistake there? Yes, this is hardly a drastic overhaul, despite being based on a brand new chassis. If it ain't broke and all that. Audi describes the new A5 as "athletic, sporty and elegant"; it's also keen to draw attention to the "three-dimensional wave-shaped shoulder line" and the "precisely sweeping line with pronounced bulges over the wheel arches". They remind you it's all-wheel drive, see.
Well, unless you buy a front-wheel drive one. From launch the second-gen A5 will be offered with two petrol and three diesel engines, ranging from 190hp to 286hp. The six-speed manual and seven-speed dual-clutch are available on the four-cylinder engines (one petrol, one diesel) as well as the 218hp 3.0 TDI, with all three of those available with front- or all-wheel drive. The 286hp V6 diesel and S5 - the latter borrowing much from the new S4 (now a 354hp turbo V6) - are exclusively Quattro with the eight-speed auto.
This A5 is said to be 60kg lighter than the outgoing car, Audi claiming the body is the lightest in its class. It also has a drag co-efficient of 0.25Cd and more interior room thanks to an increased wheelbase; there's even another 10 litres of luggage space. And you thought not much had changed.
Inside? Audi puts it better than we ever could. "As is typical for Audi, interior build quality is uncompromisingly high." The TT's virtual cockpit is an option, with the MMI controlled by the rotary dial seen elsewhere in the range. Customers upgrading to MMI navigation plus receive an Audi Connect sim for "ultrafast" internet access. Well, when you have Stop&Go adaptive cruise control then why not be on Twitter? That on top of the cross traffic assist rear, exit warning, collision avoidance assist, turn assist, Audi pre sense systems...
The new A5 and S5 will launch this winter, with prices and full specs set to follow in due course. As for an RS5, you would have to assume it's in the model plan somewhere with the new RS4. More details when we have them!