In
pursuit of a bigger slice of the luxury market in Australia, Audi has
increased its vast range yet again. The latest arrival is the new A5
Sportback concept.
This five-door coupe offers Audi’s benchmark
design and quality in a new ‘Sportback’ segment that borrows its design from
the A5 Coupe, adds the five-doors and load-carrying space of an Avant, and
offers the storage and passenger room of a sedan.
Audi Australia’s
outgoing managing director, Joerg Hofmann, is looking to the A5 Sportback
with typical optimism, “It will be our volume-selling model in the A5
segment and will make a significant contribution to our sixth record year of
sales in 2010.” It's worth noting that Audi is the fastest growing
manufacturer in the luxury segment of the Australian market.
“It
seems that once again Audi has managed to successfully combine conflicting
traits – blending emotional design with a car that is functional in terms of
space, even offering a very large rear tailgate for ease of access. It looks
beautiful. It drives very well. It is a great car for a family, for everyday
use and I believe it will sell very well Downunder,” Mr Hofmann said.
The Sportback design concept, launched with the A3 Sportback, is defined
by its elegant and stylish lines, short front and rear overhangs, long
wheelbase and wide track.
In this latest model, four frameless doors
complete the look, plus a large rear sportback for easy boot access.
Inside the car, interior seating remains for four only along with a large
luggage compartment that increases from 480 to 980 litres with the rear
seats folded. The luggage hatch is seamlessly integrated into the long,
tapered tail end with flat C pillars; the spoiler lip and diffuser insert
provide contrast and emphasise the sporty characteristics of the body
contour.
In
Australia, the A5 Sportback will be launched with two engines – the 2.0 TFSI
and 3.0 TDI – both with quattro all-wheel-drive and S tronic as standard.
The 2.0 TFSI model offers 155kW of power and 350Nm of torque, available from
1,500 – 4,200 rpm. It achieves the 0 – 100km/h sprint in 6.6 seconds and
consumes 7.5 litres of fuel per 100km.
The V6 3.0 TDI offers 176kW of
power, with a whopping 500Nm of torque between 1,500 – 3,000 rpm. 0-100km/h
is achieved in just 6.1 seconds and incredibly, the 3.0 TDI engine sips just
6.6 litres per 100km, making it the 23rd model in the company’s
fuel-efficient line-up benefiting from reduced luxury car tax.
All
models are equipped with a recuperation system that recovers energy during
braking and deceleration, storing it temporarily in the battery. The A5
Sportback 2.0 TFSI is also equipped with the Audi valvelift system for
variable control of valvelift. This intelligent technology boosts
performance while simultaneously reducing fuel consumption.
The
perfect complement is the Audi drive select vehicle dynamics system, which
enables the driver to freely vary the throttle response characteristic, the
shifting points of the seven-speed S tronic, and the boost provided by the
servotronic steering system.
The arrival of the new A5 Sportback
completes the Audi A5 range in Australia, joining the popular A5 Coupe which
was first launched in October 2007 and the A5 Cabriolet model which arrived
in August 2009.
The Audi S5 Sportback was unveiled globally at
Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2009, and the car is expected to arrive
locally around mid-2010. The S5 Sportback boasts a 3.0 TFSI engine with
quattro and will be priced around $130,000.
Standard equipment:
-
4 frameless doors
- Large tailgate
- 8 airbags - Full-size airbag
for driver and front passenger, with seat position sensors, adaptive airbag
for driver and front passenger; side airbags (thorax-pelvis airbag at the
front); head airbag system SIDEGUARD
- Alloys wheels - 17” 6-arm design
for 2.0 TFSI and 18” 10 spoke design for 3.0 TDI
- Exterior mirrors of
new design
-
6.5-inch colour screen
- Audi music interface
- Electric front and
rear windows
- Electromechanical parking brake
- 3 zone Automatic
air conditioning, with sun sensor
- Concert sound system with
single-disc CD player
- Servotronic – power steering, speed-dependent
- Multifunction, leather-covered sports steering wheel
- ESP with
electronic front axle differential lock (for front-wheel drive)
-
quattro with sports differential
- S tronic transmission (standard on
quattro variants)
- Bluetooth mobile phone prep
- Full keyless entry
and start function
- Audi Parking system, rear only for 2.0TFSI
-
Audi Parking system, front and rear for 3.0 TDI
- Xenon Plus headlights
with LED daytime driving lights
- Cruise control
- Front centre
armrest
- Interior lighting package
- Electric front seats with
4-way lumbar support
- Milano leather seats
- Split-folding rear
seats
At
a glance: Audi A5 Sportback
Engines
-
2.0 TFSI with 155kW and 3.0 TDI with 176kW
- Direct fuel injection for
both engines
- 3.0 TDI model consumption = 6.6 litres/100km, - Both
engines with energy recuperation system and Audi valvelift system for 2.0
TFSI
Drivetrain
- Seven-speed dual clutch S
tronic
- Servotronic speed-sensitive steering
- quattro all-wheel
drive; sport differential for variable distribution of power to the rear
wheels as an option for 3.0 TDI
Chassis
-
Balanced axle load distribution, lightweight construction suspension
-
17-inch aluminium wheels standard on 2.0 TFSI, with 18-inch on 3.0 TDI
-
Optional Audi drive select dynamic control system, adaptive shock absorber
control, dynamic steering and sport differential available as options
Body
- New segment for A5 range: Sportback body
concept
- Sporty, elegant design with flowing lines
- Large luggage
compartment with two-piece cover
- 480 to 980 litres of luggage space
- Generously spacious interior with easy entry thanks to 5 doors
-
Seating for 4 adults
Equipment and trim
-
assistance systems available as options
- Powerful MMI navigation system
Pricing
2.0 TFSI priced at $78,400
(manufacturer’s list price MLP)
3.0 TDI priced at $89,100 MLP
