World premiere. The new A5 unveiled

New A5 Coupé continues tradition of design excellence.

The first Audi A5 represented a study in elegance and became an instant automotive classic when it arrived in 2007. Now, nine years later, the all-new A5 builds not only on those stunning design principles, but improves the elegant Coupé right across the board.

3 June, 2016

When Audi first unveiled its mid-sized luxury Coupé in 2007, it was a game-changer. The Audi A5 was captivating, as much for its elegant, sweeping styling as it was for its dynamic chassis, powerful engines and razor-sharp handling.

Audi’s then chief of design, the legendary Italian, Walter de Silva, said it was ‘the most beautiful car he had ever designed’. No small statement, given de Silva’s award-winning designs at the time included such automotive classics as the Audi R8.

The subsequent success of the Audi A5 Coupé came as no surprise and over the past nine years it has deservedly cemented its place as one of the most beautiful and accomplished grand tourers of the modern age.

Producing a worthy successor to such an iconic vehicle is a formidable task, but the second-generation Audi A5 Coupé perfectly fits its brief.

The A5 design language is unmistakable in the new car and yet has advanced the original design and built on its strengths. The sweeping wave-shaped shoulder line remains, as does the taut surfaces hinting at the car’s inherent athleticism. The distinctive Audi Singleframe grille is now wider and flatter and the availability of LED and Matrix LED headlights further enhances the aggressive front end.

The arresting styling also contributes to significant aerodynamic gains, with the new A5 Coupé boasting a class-leading drag co-efficient of 0.25. In performance terms, this goes hand-in-hand with the newly developed chassis and lightweight construction, which has resulted in a car up to 60kg lighter than its predecessor.

Although specification is yet to be decided for Australia, the new A5 Coupé will be available around the world with up to five powerplants – two TFSI and TDI units – offering power outputs from 140kW through to 210kW.

These represent an increase of up to 17 percent more power across the range, yet with as much as a 22 percent reduction in fuel consumption.

The range-topping S5 Coupé will boast a V6, 3.0 TFSI engine producing 260kW of power – an increase of 15kW over the previous S5 – yet still delivering fuel consumption of just 7.3L/100km.

Transmissions will be matched to the appropriate powerplants, with a six-speed manual and seven-speed S tronic offered with front- or quattro all-wheel drive. Audi’s eight-speed tiptronic will see service in the top-spec TDI, as well as the S5 Coupé, and both models will also be available with a rear-axle sport differential as an option for even more dynamic performance.

This new incarnation of the Audi A5 Coupé will also see the introduction of the new Audi quattro with ultra technology. This new version of Audi’s award-winning technology allows the vehicle to switch automatically between front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive as required by the conditions, providing all-wheel drive whenever it is required.

Performance is further enhanced with the addition of electromechanical power steering or optional dynamic steering which varies the gear ration depending on the vehicle’s speed and the steering angle.

The result is an agile, sports coupé that sets the standard in the mid-sized, premium coupé ranks, and very much lives up to the promise made by its overtly sporty styling.

The A5’s stunning exterior is likewise matched by an equally impressive interior. Superb build quality and the finest materials are once again standout features of this grand tourer, with abundant choices available to customise the interior finish, including the optional ambient lighting which offers as many as 30 adjustable shades of interior light. Add to this Bang & Olufsen’s sublime 3D sound system, and the luxurious interior takes on the acoustic characteristics of a concert hall.

Audi’s virtual cockpit is offered as an option, complete with 12.3-inch display, as well as MMI navigation with 8.3-inch colour monitor mounted on the central console. The MMI touchpad and voice control system make it even easier for the driver to use internal systems with the minimum distraction from driving, while Audi connect puts occupants in constant touch with the internet through in-car Wi-Fi hotspots.

The Audi smartphone interface, Apple Car Play and Android Auto are also offered as an option, as is the Audi phone box with wireless charging - perfect for smartphones.

Safety and driver assistance abound in the new A5 Coupé, with the full complement of Audi’s leading systems, now familiar from models such as the A4 and Q7, all available, including camera-based recognition of traffic signs. Other systems available for the A5 Coupé include Audi active lane assist, predictive efficiency assistant and traffic jam assist, as well as cross traffic assist rear, exit warning, collision avoidance assist and turn assist as well as the Audi pre sense systems.

The stunning new Audi A5 Coupé will be officially launched Europe in the third quarter of 2016, with an Australian launch date in the first-half of 2017.

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World premiere. The new A5 unveiled

New A5 Coupé continues tradition of design excellence.

The sweet spot

Timeless elegance

A fine line

Performance to the power of S