Audi S5 Sportback hits Australian showrooms

The S5 Sportback is Audi's latest version of the fashionable four-door coupe shape, following in the initial footsteps made by Mercedes-Benz in 2005 with their CLS range.

The LED headlights, frameless doors - front and rear - and the natural elegance of the Sportback makes it an ideal package to go straight up against the CLS350, the BMW 5-series Gran Turismo and the significantly cheaper but slightly smaller VW Passat CC V6 4-Motion.

Mr Uwe Hagon, Managing Director of Audi Australia, says "the S5 Sportback is a great addition to our unique A5 Sportback range. It is not only practical enough for daily use, it is also sporty and fun to drive."

The S5 Sportback comes with Audi's traditional Quattro system which means all-wheel drive power. The driveline setup is also available with an optional Sport differential which is said to increase front-to-rear drive response, although, we will need to drive it to make further judgment.

The engine is the same 3.0TSFI supercharged V6 that is also offered in the new S4. Power remains at 245kW as does the 440Nm torque figure, which available between 2,900rpm and 5300rpm. The numbers shape up very well compared to the other four-door coupes currently available; the CLS350 ($152,000) outputs just 200kW, the BMW 535i Gran Turismo ($151,400) offers 225kW, and the smaller VW CC V6 ($65,990) offers 220kW and all-wheel drive as well.

Pricing for the S5 Sportback starts at $129, 300.