Audi’s latest A5 Coupe is a combination of svelte styling, cutting-edge electronics and remarkable on-road competence. Trouble is, the same traits apply to just about all its competitors. Nevertheless, a look at the new-generation A5 in $81,500 (before on-road costs) 2.0-litre TFSI quattro form, shows Audi continues to be at the sharp end of the field.
Haute couture certainly isn’t lacking in the premium mid-size coupe segment, but the latest designer collection from the world’s car makers even has aficionados gob-smacked. Well, gob-smacked might be stretching it, but they’re certainly very impressed.
In recent times we’ve seen the new Infiniti Q60 arriving to strut its stuff among not just the likes of the Mercedes-Benz E and C-Class coupes, but also with BMW’s 4 Series – and even the Ginza-style Lexus RC.
Now, industry commentators have swung their focus onto a new creation from leading fashionista Audi – the freshly-recreated A5 Coupe.
Their attention is warranted: The sub-$100,000 A5, in traditional Audi style, is a minimalistic showcase.
There are no ‘look-at-me’ fripperies here; just a clean, balanced shape which also happens to boast, at Cd 0.27, the slipperiest aerodynamic figure in the class.
And, although the latest A5 benefits from a diet which has seen weight reduced by as much as 40kg, it’s more accommodating, with not just greater interior length, width, head and knee room, but also segment-best cargo space. An eminently usable 465 litres of boot capacity is complemented by standard 20-60-20 folding rear seat cushions which make the A5 almost indecently practical for a stylish coupe.
The interior is what you’d expect of a new Audi: A mix of restraint and a degree of adventurousness, it’s all about quality, comfort and intuitive adaption, on the part of the driver, to the control systems.
Audi’s Virtual Cockpit, is the central theme, offering the choice of a more or less conventional display with easy functionality, or an almost cinematic satellite navigation map display directly ahead of the driver, which can either supplement or replace the display on the tablet-style screen centre dashboard.
All instruments other than the fuel and temperature gauges are LCD and, although always in sight regardless of which display mode is selected, they vary in size from a full, conventional twin-dial presentation through a scaling-down if trip computer functions are prioritised, or if the sat-nav map is occupying most of the space. It’s all very appealing, made even more so by the Google Earth mapping presentation.
The 2.0 TFSI quattro model we’re testing also gets a boost in output, from 165kW to 185kW and from 350Nm to 370Nm. This engine doesn’t get the tricky high-compression Miller-cycle style variable-stroke design of the less powerful, but more fuel efficient 140kW version (5.5L/100km), but it claims to be thrifty nonetheless: Audi quotes the 2.0 TFSI at 6.5L/100km, a figure only bettered by BMW’s 430i coupe – which, like the Mercedes-Benz C 300 Coupe, is merely rear-wheel drive.
In the interests of efficiency and added road grip, the A5 also replaces the previous multitronic CVT with Audi’s seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission, and comes with a revised version of quattro full-time AWD.
Like its sibling, the Audi A4, the A5 offers plenty to tempt the technophiles: Though not all is standard – far from it – the array of new-tech features is impressive and headlined by the irresistibly-clever two-screen virtual cockpit, high-speed internet plus (optional) matrix LED headlights, and a blasting, 19-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio with 3D sound.
Safety tech for the five ANCAP star-rated A5 is up to the mark as well. High and low-speed autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert are all standard – although even in the $81,500 (before ORCs) 2.0-litre TFSI you’ll have to pay more for adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist and self-parking.
In fact, the price sticker on our A5 test car sat at $90,696 thanks to its optional ‘Gotland Green’ metallic paint, Audi Sport 19-inch alloy wheels and Audi’s Technik package which adds Matrix LED headlights (plus other light-related features), the Bang & Olufsen sound system and a basic head-up display.
Personally, I’d have retained the $5,600 Technik package, added the $2470 Assistance package (includes adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist and extended collision avoidance) and the $1255 Parking assistance package (360 degree cameras and self-parking) but jettisoned the Audi Sport ‘Turbine Design’ wheels (standard wheels are also 19-inch and they wear the same 255/35 tyres).
All this adds up to an unapologetically-luxe four-seat coupe mixing strong performance – zero to 100km/h in 5.8 seconds – and the impressive agility resulting from full-time all-wheel drive and grippy tyres, plus sharp, quick and nicely weighted electro-mechanical steering.
Ride is nicely compliant too, with no sharp edges other than an occasional spike over small, sharp impacts which is undoubtedly contributed to by those 255/35 profile tyres.
The 185kW/370Nm 2.0-litre turbo is strong off the mark, has a hearty mid-range and is competently contained by the mechanical, three-differential (the centre one is self-locking) quattro driveline, all of which imbue the A5 with a great sense of security on just about any surface.
Audi has worked on the four-cylinder engine’s refinement too. It is characterised by variable-lift exhaust valves, an integrated exhaust manifold and a combination of manifold and direct fuel injection.
At startup and when idling it’s assisted by switchable engine mounts which help make it almost imperceptible, as smooth as a six. The engine only – very faintly – reveals its four-cylinder configuration when revved towards the 6700rpm red line, which is way beyond the point of maximum power anyway.
The latest version of the S tronic seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox, which can be directed by steering wheel paddles if you want, brings no complaints as to its smoothness and efficiency. It’s a welcome upgrade over the previous continuously-variable multitronic (even if Audi tended to do a better job than most of minimising the less pleasant CVT characteristics).
And while the S tronic helps deliver better-than-manual acceleration, it also aids fuel consumption: As mentioned, Audi lists the combined figure of the 2.0 TFSI quattro as 6.5L/100km, but we could only manage 8.0L/100km over 400km or so of driving in variable road conditions and with mixed passenger loads.
The A5 is quiet inside. The hushed engine, and the smooth ride of the standard suspension coupled with the low Cd factor all play their roles in making the Audi coupe a nice place for cruising the freeways.
While the front seats – complete with cushion extenders and, on the driver’s side, memory settings – are comfortable, supportive and well bolstered, the experience is not quite as favourable in the back where, in spite of the newly-increased space, squabbles about legroom seemed to be common. Primarily due to its relatively short wheelbase (less than the A4, and everything else in its class apart from the Lexus RC) there’s not the generosity you’ll find in, say, the Infiniti Q60. Access is a bit tricky too, and relies on a slow-moving power seat slide to make space for bodies climbing aboard.
We’ll concede those who choose a two-door coupe over a regular sedan are less likely to prioritise rear-seat space, so any shortfall here may not be an issue for most potential A5 buyers.
For us, we reckon the latest version of Audi’s mid-size coupe is an enticing contender in a market segment where status and style take precedence over practically everything else.
That said, the A5 has appeal not just for aesthetes, but also for the more pragmatic types who prioritise efficiencies and capabilities over mere looks – or at least put them on equal footing. Audi, in typical fashion, has struck a close to perfect balance.
2017 Audi A5 2.0 TFSI quattro Coupe pricing and specifications:
Price: $81,500 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 185kW/370Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch
Fuel: 6.5L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 149g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP