After seeing the new generation of the A5 and S5 models at the beginning of the summer, the German brand Audi has also released the Sportback. The two modifications of the four-door sports car – the standard A5 Sportback and the sporty S5 Sportback – will have a public premiere at the end of the month at the Paris Motor Show.
The design of the new A5 Sportback and the S5 Sportback is heavily influenced by the bodywork, not shining with anything futuristic or unexpected. Both machines are executed in the typical style of the brand, demonstrating technological and modern yet restrained and stylish forms.
The new A5 Sportback and S5 Sportback also feature LED dipped-beam headlamps, a Virtual Cockpit digital panel with 12.3-inch touchscreen display, MMI multimedia suite with a 7- or 8.3-inch console display that supports Apple Car Play and Android Auto. Thanks to this, some of the vehicle’s functions (such as the central locking, for example) can be controlled by a smartphone.
Against the extra charge, the customer receives wireless Bang & Olufsen smartphone and loudspeaker, track and tramline tracking system, road sign detection camera and many more.
A curious addition to the two new models is the autopilot system, which is equipped with a braking and starting function. This allows the driver to “hang” on the front car and leave the vehicle’s braking and lowering. Extras work at speeds up to 65 km/h.
The A5 Sportback and the S5 Sportback are all new generation, built on the new MLB platform, which was used for the sedan and wagon A4 as well as the already mentioned A5 and S5. This has made it possible to increase the wheelbase from 2764 mm to 2824 mm, which provides extra space for riders in the rear seat in the car. The volume of the luggage compartment increased to 480 liters, while the overall weight of the car was reduced by an average of 85 kg.
Propulsion units are similar to those in the A5 and S5. These are petrol TFSI and diesel TDI engines, as well as a TFSI g-tron engine adapted to work with methane.
The A5 Sportback’s engines range from 170 to 286 hp, and Audi points out that they are 17% more powerful than their predecessors while consuming 22% less fuel. They are combined with a 6-speed manual transmission or a 7-speed robotic transmission with 2 clutches.
The only exception is the most powerful diesel version for which an 8-speed ZF is intended. It also features the sporty modification of the Audi S5 Sportback, which relies on a 3.0-liter gas turbine engine with 354 hp. The acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h takes 4.7 seconds and the average fuel consumption is 7.3 l / 100 km.
In 2017, the company will also offer an even faster and more powerful version of the RS5 Sportback. It will receive a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 gasoline engine that will develop power in the order of 450 hp.
The A5 Sportback prices in Germany start at 37,800 EUR, while the S5 Sportback has a minimum price of 62,500 EUR. The public premiere of the cars will take place in Paris.
