Audi A5

The Audi A5 is a coupé produced by the German automobile manufacturer Audi since 2007. It is the coupé, cabriolet, and five-door fastback versions of the fourth generation (B8) Audi A4 saloon and estate models.

Audi A5

First generation
The Audi A5 marks Audi's return to the compact executive coupé market since the (B3/B4) Audi 80-based Coupe model ended production in 1996. The B6/B7 A4 spawned a convertible variant but not a coupé. For the fourth generation A4 (B8), Audi decided to spin off the cabriolet, along with a new coupé and five-door hatchback, into a nameplate of its own as the Audi A5.

The new Audi A5 and B8 A4 were based on the Audi MLP platform (Modular Longitudinal Platform) which is planned to underpin the next generation A6 and A8. The platform is notable for its departure from Audi's trademark "overhung" engine mounting position over the front axle, in favour of the powertrain being located behind the front axle - in an effort to achieve a more even weight distribution (52:48) between the front and rear wheels.

The Audi A5 is the third coupe in Audi's line-up, next to the second-generation TT and the R8. The Audi A5 has adopted many design elements of the Nuvolari quattro concept. The Audi A5 debuted with the 3.2-litre FSI V6 engine delivering 265 PS (195 kW; 261 hp).

Audi A5

The updated vehicles, covering Audi A5 Coupe, Convertible, Sportback and S models, includes updated front and rear lights, as well as a new front bumper design. The new front end includes pronounced air inlets, revamped grilles and flat fog lights. The overall vehicle is 0.4 inches longer than predecessor. Sportback model includes 5-seat option. The updated vehicles were unveiled in 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Sales began in Europe in 2011 as 2012 model year vehicles. Early models include Audi A5 1.8 TFSI, A5 2.0 TFSI, A5 3.0 TFSI, S5 3.0 TFSI, 2.0 TDI. The base model Audi A5 Sportback 1.8 TFSI was sold for €33,350.

Audi A5

S5 (2011-)
The Audi S5 Coupé uses the 3.0L Supercharged V6 TFSI engine producing 333 hp, previously used in the S5 Cabriolet and S4 Sedan/Avant since the 2010 model year. The other major change under the bonnet is the introduction of stop-start technology for better fuel efficiency. Audi claims an average fuel economy of 8.9 litres/100 km (compared to the current 12.6 litres/100 km in the V8 coupe and 10.7 litres/100 km in the Cabriolet). Audi also mentions the S5 is a single-frame vehicle (there is no mention of whether this is an aluminum frame to reduce weight and give the car better performance or if it remains a steel frame).

As part of the mid-generational refresh, the S5 undergoes some major front-end changes including a complete redesign of the headlights - this means new DRL's, a brand new grill loosely based on the 2012 Audi A6 grill, new fog lamps. Audi has also introduced a new rear diffuser that appears to be more cosmetic than the one found on previous models.

Inside, the S5 receives some new features. Dials in the center console get the chrome treatment along with the edges of the buttons for the windows and the 4 MMI control buttons. Audi has brought the shift knob from the RS5 to the S5 which is a welcome change to the antiquated, A6 shifter drivers had to deal with in the past. The MMI looks like it's going to be upgraded with changes to the button configuration in the center console. There is a shift from having four buttons down each side of the console, to just two with the addition of a Menu and Car buttons below the MMI control dial (Audi has removed the skip forward / backward buttons that previously occupied the space on either side of the back button). Lastly, a revised steering wheel will have a new circular airbag cover as well as piano black trim. Sales of updated S5 would begin in 2012 as 2013 model year vehicle in Canada.

Audi A5 photos