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AUDI has unveiled an extensively re-engineered and subtly restyled A5 range of Sportback, Coupe and Cabriolet models, which now offer 60 mpg-plus and 122 g/km emissions potential
Available to order now, prices start at £25,540 on the road (Sportback) with the first vehicles due to be delivered in December.
Beyond their measured exterior and interior styling updates, infotainment technology advances and chassis modifications, the three ranges are also characterised by CO2 emission reductions of up to 22% due to new and heavily revised engines and additional efficiency measures.
Efficiency improvements have been achieved with the introduction of two new engines and completely redesigning others, but also by extending engine start-stop technology right across the range and replacing the hydraulic power steering system with a new electromechanical unit that demands no engine input when the wheel is in the straight-ahead position.
The existing naturally aspirated 3.2 litre V6 petrol engine has been replaced by a new 272 PS version of the supercharged 3.0 litre V6 unit in A5 Coupe and Cabriolet variants. The existing 333 PS version of this engine, which already powers the S5 Sportback and S5 Cabriolet, will also now replace the 4.2 litre, naturally aspirated V8 in the S5 Coupe.
Equipped with its new and 20% more efficient engine, and with standard S tronic twin clutch transmission in common with its Sportback and Cabriolet counterparts, the S5 Coupe can power to 62 mph from rest in 4.9 seconds - a 0.2-second improvement over its V8-powered predecessor - on the way to a governed 155 mph top speed. Combined fuel economy stands at 34.9 mpg, a significant improvement over the tiptronic V8 Coupe’s 26.4 mpg.
At the other end of the spectrum, the entry level 1.8 litre TFSI unit, which will be available across the ranges, has been completely redesigned. With power increased from 160 PS to 170 PS, it effectively replaces the 180 PS version of the four-cylinder 2.0 litre TFSI engine, and in the A5 Coupe combines best-in-class 49.6 mpg economy potential with a 21% reduction in CO2 output to 134 g/km.
The four-cylinder, 2.0 litre TFSI engine continues in 211 PS form in all variants, offering up to 44.1 mpg with emissions from 149 g/km.
New to the diesel-powered line-up is the 204 PS version of the 3.0 litre V6 TDI. Replacing the outgoing 2.7 litre, 190 PS V6 TDI, it can deliver up to 57.6 mpg at the expense of 129 g/km of CO2 when it is installed in the front-wheel-drive A5 Coupe. The existing 3.0 litre TDI unit which works in conjunction with quattro all-wheel-drive also continues in upgraded 245 PS form.
The efficiency standard-bearer in the new range is the heavily modified 2.0 litre TDI, which with the potential for up to 60.1 mpg and emissions of 122 g/km in the manual transmission A5 2.0 TDI Coupe sets new standards in the class.
As before, six-speed manual, seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch and eight-speed multitronic CVT transmissions will feature depending on the engine chosen, as will quattro all-wheel-drive.
The 2012 model year A5 range’s upgrade to the latest system combining the crown gear centre differential - first seen in the RS 5 - with torque vectoring for even more effective torque distribution.
The quattro system is offered as an optional extra for the 2.0 litre TFSI 211 PS petrol and 2.0 litre TDI 177 PS units, and as standard in conjunction with 3.0 litre TFSI 272 PS and 3.0 litre TDI 245 PS engines. As is always the case, the S models are quattro-equipped by definition.
Availability of the quattro rear sports differential, which further enhances agility and adjustability by enabling torque to be apportioned between the rear wheels, also now extends to all quattro-equipped models in the latest ranges.
All three variants cut more of a dash visually too, due to gentle re-shaping of the bumpers, grilles, bonnets and front and rear light clusters which brings the A5 look subtly into line with the very latest Audi design language.
The changes are particularly apparent in S line models, which now feature LED strip daytime running lights that virtually surround the headlight unit at the front, and newly designed LED strip lights at the rear.
Inside, changes include new steering wheels, including an option for a flat-bottomed wheel, new steering column stalks and narrow chrome clasps framing the control elements. Also updated are the ignition key, the selector lever for the automatic transmission, the buttons for the optional Audi drive select system and seat heating/ventilation and the air conditioning and multifunction steering wheel controls. The bezels on the instrument cluster and centre console have a new finish, and there is also a new selection of upholstery and inlays.
Standard, SE and S line specification levels continue as before in Cabriolet and Sportback models. The A5 Coupe previously offered a fourth Sport trim option, but now moves into line with its relatives.
Available to order now, prices start at £25,540 on the road (Sportback) with the first vehicles due to be delivered in December.
Beyond their measured exterior and interior styling updates, infotainment technology advances and chassis modifications, the three ranges are also characterised by CO2 emission reductions of up to 22% due to new and heavily revised engines and additional efficiency measures.
Efficiency improvements have been achieved with the introduction of two new engines and completely redesigning others, but also by extending engine start-stop technology right across the range and replacing the hydraulic power steering system with a new electromechanical unit that demands no engine input when the wheel is in the straight-ahead position.
The existing naturally aspirated 3.2 litre V6 petrol engine has been replaced by a new 272 PS version of the supercharged 3.0 litre V6 unit in A5 Coupe and Cabriolet variants. The existing 333 PS version of this engine, which already powers the S5 Sportback and S5 Cabriolet, will also now replace the 4.2 litre, naturally aspirated V8 in the S5 Coupe.
Equipped with its new and 20% more efficient engine, and with standard S tronic twin clutch transmission in common with its Sportback and Cabriolet counterparts, the S5 Coupe can power to 62 mph from rest in 4.9 seconds - a 0.2-second improvement over its V8-powered predecessor - on the way to a governed 155 mph top speed. Combined fuel economy stands at 34.9 mpg, a significant improvement over the tiptronic V8 Coupe’s 26.4 mpg.
At the other end of the spectrum, the entry level 1.8 litre TFSI unit, which will be available across the ranges, has been completely redesigned. With power increased from 160 PS to 170 PS, it effectively replaces the 180 PS version of the four-cylinder 2.0 litre TFSI engine, and in the A5 Coupe combines best-in-class 49.6 mpg economy potential with a 21% reduction in CO2 output to 134 g/km.
The four-cylinder, 2.0 litre TFSI engine continues in 211 PS form in all variants, offering up to 44.1 mpg with emissions from 149 g/km.
New to the diesel-powered line-up is the 204 PS version of the 3.0 litre V6 TDI. Replacing the outgoing 2.7 litre, 190 PS V6 TDI, it can deliver up to 57.6 mpg at the expense of 129 g/km of CO2 when it is installed in the front-wheel-drive A5 Coupe. The existing 3.0 litre TDI unit which works in conjunction with quattro all-wheel-drive also continues in upgraded 245 PS form.
The efficiency standard-bearer in the new range is the heavily modified 2.0 litre TDI, which with the potential for up to 60.1 mpg and emissions of 122 g/km in the manual transmission A5 2.0 TDI Coupe sets new standards in the class.
As before, six-speed manual, seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch and eight-speed multitronic CVT transmissions will feature depending on the engine chosen, as will quattro all-wheel-drive.
The 2012 model year A5 range’s upgrade to the latest system combining the crown gear centre differential - first seen in the RS 5 - with torque vectoring for even more effective torque distribution.
The quattro system is offered as an optional extra for the 2.0 litre TFSI 211 PS petrol and 2.0 litre TDI 177 PS units, and as standard in conjunction with 3.0 litre TFSI 272 PS and 3.0 litre TDI 245 PS engines. As is always the case, the S models are quattro-equipped by definition.
Availability of the quattro rear sports differential, which further enhances agility and adjustability by enabling torque to be apportioned between the rear wheels, also now extends to all quattro-equipped models in the latest ranges.
All three variants cut more of a dash visually too, due to gentle re-shaping of the bumpers, grilles, bonnets and front and rear light clusters which brings the A5 look subtly into line with the very latest Audi design language.
The changes are particularly apparent in S line models, which now feature LED strip daytime running lights that virtually surround the headlight unit at the front, and newly designed LED strip lights at the rear.
Inside, changes include new steering wheels, including an option for a flat-bottomed wheel, new steering column stalks and narrow chrome clasps framing the control elements. Also updated are the ignition key, the selector lever for the automatic transmission, the buttons for the optional Audi drive select system and seat heating/ventilation and the air conditioning and multifunction steering wheel controls. The bezels on the instrument cluster and centre console have a new finish, and there is also a new selection of upholstery and inlays.
Standard, SE and S line specification levels continue as before in Cabriolet and Sportback models. The A5 Coupe previously offered a fourth Sport trim option, but now moves into line with its relatives.