The latest addition to the Audi A5 range has officially been revealed, somewhat appropriate timing given out BMW X6M First Steer below.
The new five-door Sportback now completes the Audi A5 range, which includes A5 Coupe and A5 Cabriolet models.
The A5 Sportback has been unveiled to coincide with Audi’s centenary celebrations and the German company says it combining the sophistication of a coupe with the comfort of a sedan and versatility of an Avant.
The A5 Sportback will arrive in European dealerships from September and is expected to arrive in Australia in the first few months of 2010.
Both TDI and FSI engines will be available, locally although Audi says final engine range and pricing is yet to be finalised for Australian customers.
Audi, the creator of the Avant concept, says it’s now forged a new segment with the arrival of the A5 Sportback, although the car will compete fairly directly with BMW’s X6 and 5 Series GT range.
Its elegant and stylish lines, short front and rear overhangs, long wheelbase and wide track define the five-door model, while four frameless doors complete the dynamic look.
Inside, the A5 Sportback is a spacious four-seater 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 emphasize the sporty characteristics of the body contour.
The A5 Sportback will feature highly efficient direct injection engines, TDI for diesel and FSI for petrol variants, and each complies with the, yet to be introduced into Australia, Euro Five emissions standard.
All models are equipped with a recuperation system that recovers energy during braking and deceleration, storing it temporarily in the battery; we guess most people would call that regenerative braking.
Audi will initially offer three petrol and three diesel TDI engines, with a further three engines to follow next year.
The petrol engines – a 2.0-litre TFSI with 132kW or 155kW and a 3.2-litre V6 with 195kW – are all equipped with the Audi system for variable control of valve lift, which boosts performance while simultaneously reducing fuel consumption.
The 2.0 TDI produces 125kW and consumes on average just 5.2 litres of fuel per 100 km. It is coupled with the start-stop system, which further enhances fuel efficiency in city traffic.
In addition, the 140kW, 2.7-litre TDI offers even more power, while the 3.0-litre TDI, which also features the S-tronic transmission, puts out an impressive 176kW of power.
Like the three petrol engines, the top diesel engine delivers its power to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system.
The two most powerful engines are available with the optional sport differential that variably distributes power between the rear wheels and provides even greater dynamics, safety and driving pleasure.
The two TDI models with front-wheel drive, the 2.0 TDI and 2.7 TDI, and the 2.0 TFSI petrol benefit from another Audi innovation; Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with an electronic front differential lock that increases agility and prevents understeer.
