07 Mar 07
The onward march of Audi continues with its latest new production vehicle, the A5, the company's modern touring coupe. And at first sight, it's a pretty impressive effort.
It seems as if Audi is currently on a mission to populate every single segment and sub-segment of the market with at least one of its products. First it entered the SUV market with the Q7, followed by its first supercar, the R8. Both have been big successes and there's nothing to suggest that the A5 will be any different.
Heavily influenced by the Audi Nuvolari concept from 2003, the A5 is beautifully styled with a clear sporting emphasis seen in the raked windscreen, wide and low stance, short front overhang and the way in which the roof flows to a conclusion at the rear.
Indeed, so proud of the A5 is Walter de'Silva, VW Group's new head of design, that he said: 'The Audi A5 is the most beautiful car I have ever designed.' A bold statement from a man whose previous work has included the Alfa 147, the new Audi TT and the Lamborghini Miura concept shown last year. The A5 also harks back to the original quattro of the 80s with its sturdy rear pillar and wheel arches that flow into the wide shoulder line.
Inside, it's all you expect from Audi, which is still the best in the business at comfortable, stylish, well-built interiors. In this case, the cockpit architecture is focused on the driver, with the all-new instrument panel and centre console forming one unit. Audi has also further developed its MMI (Multi-Media Interface) operating system to make an already intuitive system even easier to understand (are you listening BMW?).
It also promises to be a hoot to drive, coming with a choice of 3.2-litre V6 FSI petrol engine producing 265bhp and 243lb-ft of torque or two diesels, 3.0- and 2.7-litre V6 TDI units that produce 240 and 190bhp, and 368 and 295lb-ft. If that's not enough, there's also a hot S5 version that features the 4.2-litre V8 found in the R8 and RS4, here tuned to 354bhp and producing 324lb-ft of torque.
The A5 is available to order now, with deliveries starting in June.
