2012 Audi A5 Reviews

In line with a raft of changes to the Audi A5 model line-up, we spent time in an A5 Sportback followed by a week in the sleek A5 Coupe. From roof to rubber and nose to tail the two make bold styling statements.VALUEThere’s little to choose between the A5 Sportback and Coupe 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic. The ‘twins’ even share the same $83,200 manufacturer’s list price.Standard equipment includes concert audio system, a 6.5-inch colour screen with driver info system, electromechanical parking brake and automatic air conditioning that maintains constant temperatures in three zones.Additional options can take their toll on owners’ wallets but remain attractive for those who want to stamp the car with a distinct mark and imposts are well within the market segment. TECHNOLOGYBoth test cars were powered by the award-winning 2.0-litre TFSI four-cylinder petrol engine that takes advantage of Audi’s advanced engine technology which includes adjustable intake cams, exhaust valve-lift system, two balance shafts, low internal friction, new turbocharger and regulated oil pump.Mated with the S tronic seven-speed transmission and Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system, the engine puts out 155 kW of power and 350 Nm of torque between 1500 and 4200 rpm. It’s enough to push the cars from zero to 100 kilometres per hour in 6.5 seconds on the way to a top speed of 245 km/h where conditions permit. With the aid of engine stop-start technology, fuel consumption slipped under seven litres per 100 kilometres on the motorway – very impressive – and was backed up with eight to ten around town in medium-to-heavy traffic.The continuously variable seven-speed S tronic is two transmissions in one, with alternating dual clutches enabling lightning fast gear shifts. Taking a few hundredths of a second, it is extremely smooth and unfussed. A fully automatic mode has two modes – Drive and Sport - the driver switching via the central console mounted lever or option steering wheel shift paddles.Mention quattro and it’s impossible not to speak of Audi in the same breath. For years the German automobile maker has been using this form of all-wheel drive, which in this case directs 40 per cent of power to the front wheels, the rest to the rear.In the event of wheel slippage, an automatic centre differential shifts the majority of power to the other axle, thus returning grip all round. Electromechanical steering is a new addition to the A5. Speed sensitive, the system uses no energy when the vehicle is traveling in a straight line, thus adding to fuel savings.Audi A5 owners can invest in more help by optioning adaptive cruise control, Audi active lane assist and a system that profiles the driver’s style and warns him or her of the onset of driver-affecting tiredness.However, the granddaddy of them all is Audi Driver Select which changes the accelerator pedal characteristics, transmission shift pattern and power steering. The driver can dial up comfort, auto, dynamic or efficiency mode, the last of which is new and controls air-con and optional adaptive cruise control or standard cruise control boosting efficiency.Further options include Audi side assist which looks out for vehicles in the car’s so-called blind spots on both sides and active lane assist which keeps an eye on lane markings ahead and if the vehicle drifts to the edge of the lane without the turn indicator being activated the steering automatically coaxes the driver to stay in the lane.DESIGNThe Audi A5 Sportback and Coupe can carry up to four occupants, the two rear seats being very much individual units with a handy centre armrest. Passengers can take advantage of a plethora of storage compartments and drinkholders.Ample legroom in the back is augmented by a boot capable of carrying up to 455 litres (Coupe) and 480 litres (Sportback) of cargo, which in the latter swells to 1263 litres with both rear seatbacks folded.Seats are covered in high-grade Milano leather – Nappa or Valcona skin are options – and this can be extended to armrests on request. Further customisation is available with two-tone leather.Long bonnet and wheelbase, and short overhangs give the Audi A5 an air of being primed and ready for action. Up front the deep one-piece black radiator grille is dominated by the Audi signature rings. On either side are redesigned headlamp clusters which contain xenon-plus headlights and a string of LED daytime running lights.The reworked bumper is home to large air inlets with honeycomb grilles, foglamps and flared cross ribs which ape race car blades. An air inlet under the grille has a new look too.Sportback and Coupe windscreen and roofs curve unhindered from front to back producing a vehicle profile that is pleasing to the eye and, in aerodynamic, thus fuel economy, terms easy on the pocket.The Sportback comes with a standard slide-and-tilt glass sunroof, the Coupe a panoramic tilting sunroof and rear window shade. Body panels in both models have sections of ultra high-strength steel and the fenders are made from aluminium, both adding safety and security, at the same time saving weight.SAFETYThese structural features also improve safety by providing crumple zones. There is an intelligent front, side and head airbag system, head restraints and roll-over protection that stand ready to shield occupants in case of a crash. Further automatic safety systems include electronic stability program, ABS anti-skid brakes with electronic brake force distributionDRIVINGWe found the steering was light yet, at all speeds, provided reassuringly positive feedback from the road. Powerful brakes did their bit in putting the driver at ease when pulling up. An adaptive brake light flashes rapidly under heavy braking to warn following drivers.Audi A5 2.0-litre TFSI quattro S Tronic Sportback/CoupePrice: from $66,900 as testedWarranty: 3 years/unlimited kmEngine: 2.0-litre, 4-cyl, 155kW/350NmTransmission: 7-speed S Tronic duel clutch, AWDThirst: 7.0L/100kmDimensions: 4710/4630mm (L); 1850mm (W); 1390/1370mm (H)Weight: 1525/1455kg (depending on engine)

We turn the spotlight on the car world's newest and brightest stars as we ask the questions to which you want the answers. But there's only one question that really needs answering  would you buy one?What is it?This is Audi's entry point for the classy A5 range comprising more than 20 variants in sportback four door hatch, coupe and cabrio variants. It also ushers in a new 1.8-litre, turbo petrol four cylinder that's economical enough to win Luxury Car Tax concessions - gotta like that.How much?The price is $66,690 but there are plenty of options and option packs to hike that.What are competitors?Very few actually. The Sportback could be termed a four door coupe by other manufacturers. The gorgeous Volkswagen CC would be the closest competitor.What's under the bonnet?There's a small capacity force fed petrol 1.8 under the bonnet of this particular model. It has direct injection and turbocharging as well as variable valve lift and timing to boost efficiency as does auto stop and start, recuperative energy from the brakes and a CVT eight step "auto" transmission with sport mode. It's good for 125kW and 320Nm from a low 1400rpm.How does it go?Really well with plenty of kick in the mid-range and a strong top-end. But the stop and start system causes rather lethargic acceleration from a standstill. Takes too long to fire up and start driving the car.Is it economical?Impressive at 5.8-litres/100km. We saw better at a steady 90kmh on the freeway but you can average in the 7.0s combined without trying - of 95 octane.Is it green?Yes, passes Eu 5 emissions and has a swag of economy technology that also cuts emissions.Is it safe?Five stars.Is it comfortable?Comfort levels are high with sporty, well shaped seats and leather upholstery. Electric front seat adjustment is handy and the driving position offers plenty of options. The cabin is roomy enough for four adults and the load space under the large hatch is big.Good audio, plenty of driver assist technology, Bluetooth phone and audio. Pretty much all you need.What's it like to drive?Sporty with a firm, well controlled ride, sharp steering response, powerful brakes and grippy rubber. Typical Euro sporty drive feel with a half decent exhaust note (when you can hear it).Is it value for money?Tempting especially with the discounted Luxury Car Tax thanks to low fuel consumption.Would we buy one?Probably not, we'd go for the 2.0-litre diesel A5 Sportback for a couple of grand more. Keep it for years, spend little on fuel, surprise other drivers with striking turn of speed.2012 Audi A5 TFSI SportbackPrice: from $66,690Warranty: 3 year roadside assistWeight: 1525kgEngine: 1.8 litre, 4 cylinder, 125kW/320NmTransmission: 8-speed, constantly variable transmission, front wheel driveThirst: 5.9l/100Km

Three body styles, each with a choice of six engines, are enough to make the buying of a new Audi A5 or S5 a formidable task.The updated German luxwagen range has minor front and rear styling changes, fewer buttons on the dash and console and all models get direct-injection turbo motors and start-stop technology.The upgrades cover the Coupe, the five-door Sportback and the Cabriolet, and there are brand new 1.8-litre TSFI (petrol) and 2.0-litre TDI (diesel) engines to satisfy the growing swing to fuel-efficiency.The range now encompasses a considerable 21 models, 13 of them with fuel stats of less than 7.0-litres/100km, the magic figure that lets them escape some of the government's luxury tax grab.The hotshot RS5 model is expected in June.TECHNOLOGYWhile the outside hasn't changed much, a lot has been going on under the handsome Walter de Silva-styled skin. There are revised gear ratios in each of the three transmission choices, less engine friction, more efficient three-zone climate control aircon, upgraded suspension and a new electro-mechanical steering system.In the cogs section there's a six-speed manual, eight-speed Multitronic (CVT) or seven-speed S tronic.Select the optional Auto Drive and you can pick from five driving modes: efficiency, comfort, auto, dynamic and one which can be tailored to personal taste. The engines are 1.8, 2.0 and 3.0litres, all but the little y with diesel options and power outputs go from 125 to 245/440 in the S5 Cabrio.Even the 1.8 gets a very diesel-like 320Nm from as low as 1400rpm. It and the new 2.0litre diesel (130/380) are the only models that come with front-wheel drive.INSIDETypical Teutonic with clear instrumentation, clean lines and decent seating. There's a new steering wheel, (also a flat-bottomed one as an option), a `concert' radio with CD player and 6.5-inch colour screen and info system, a huge cargo area and an electro-mechanical parking brake. The console and dash trim can be had in aluminium, walnut or ash and the seats with heating or cooling. Or both.There are 15 exterior colours and several interior mixes to choose from. Alternatively, Audi will paint your A5 any colour you want for an extra $4500 or so. The Cabrio's fast-working, multi-layered soft top also has a palette to choose from.DRIVEWe had spells with the 1.8, 2.0litre TSFI and 2.0litre TDI on the freeways and steep and twisty roads of the Blue Mountains region, with the new 2.0litre diesel our favourite. The A5s all drive pretty well and their very torquey motors, petrol and diesel, provide lots of `go.'But the new steering was a bit of a letdown. It varied from heavy in dynamic mode to numb in comfort and one car had the optional Active Lane Assist system, which identifies white lines on the road and helps keep the car within them.It's fine for a lazy Sunday drive, but tries to counter a faster driver's direction on a winding road, so it ends up becoming an annoying wrist-wrestle. And it can't be switched off.The steering, in any form, does seem to be at odds with the A5's otherwise impressive dynamics.PRICESStart at $66,900 for the 1.8, peak at $146,500 for the 3.0litre S5 Cabriolet S tronic. Most of the range is in the $80,000 to $100,000 bracket. The striking Sportback, a four-door that looks like a coupe, is by far the top seller as far as design goes. The new 1.8TFSI could well become the most popular individual model. It's a hi-spec, super-eco and quite zippy number in this elite line-up. We'd pick a sexy 2.0 TDI  Coupe by preference, but common sense says a Sportback.AUDI A5Prices: $66,900 (1.8 TFSI Coupe/Sportback) to $161,900 (RS5 Coupe)Warranty: 3 yrs unlimited kmService interval: 15,000kmEngines: 1.8, 2.0 and 3.0 TFSI and 2.0 and 3.0 TDI, 125kW-331kWTransmissions: 8-speed multitronic, 6-speed manual, 7-speed S tronic, FWD and AWDDimensions: 4.71m (Sportback), 4.63m (Coupe, Cabrio), 1,85m (W), 1.37-1.39m (H)Safety: 5-star Euro NCAP, 6-8 airbags, stability control, ABS, optional lane assist, side assist, adaptive cruiseThirst: 4.7L/100km (2.0 TDI Coupe) to 8.5L/100km (3.0 TFSI Cab)RIVALSAlfa Romeo Brera coupe (from $64,900)BMW 3 Series coupe (from $66,500)Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe (from $58,900).

When it comes to luxury cars, are we spoilt for choice or confused by options? Audi claims the former as it launches its updated 21-model range of A5 Coupes, Cabriolets and Sportbacks with six engines, three transmissions, 15 exterior colours, 10 wheel designs and a staggering list of options to "customise" your car. That's up from 12 variants previously, and together with the A4 sedan and wagon, Audi now has as many model variants as the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes C-Class.VALUEThe range, which began in 2007, now features a new entry level 1.8-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder model at $66,990 which slots in closer to the BMW entry model coupe. Importantly, the new range features 13 variants with fuel consumption under seven litres per 100km which means they avoid all or a portion of the punitive luxury car tax.Audi has also "repositioned" its pricing which means some models are cheaper and some are slightly more expensive than before, but all sport more creature features and driver aids, improving overall value.Audi Australia boss Uwe Hagen says customers are moving to smaller engines and believes the new entry model 1.8-litre TFSI could become the top seller. The new A5 range will be available in May with the flagship RS5 coming mid-year.As usual there is a wide range of not-inexpensive options such as satnav and infotainment systems for $4550 and three-zone climate air for $1250. But the most unpalatable is $1695 for metallic paint which may be lustrous but is difficult to justify when Subaru charges no extra and includes anti-theft Data Dot technology.TECHNOLOGYThere are no longer any naturally aspirated models and the six forced-induction line-up now include two new four-cylinder models; the 1.8 TFSI with 125kW and 2.0 TDI with 130kW. All feature improved fuel economy, thanks to stop-start technology which is standard in all engines, new gear ratios, reduced engine friction, more efficient airconditioning and a new lightweight electro-mechanical steering.But Audi product planning spokesman Peter Strudwicke says the most impressive aspect of all the engines is the improved torque, up as much as 21 per cent in the 3.0 TFSI which replaces the naturally aspirated 3.2. Even the 1.8-litre TFSI has "diesel-like torque" of 320Nm which is 30Nm more than a 3.0-litre V6 Commodore."Most of our customers got their licence in a Commodore and love the extra torque," Strudwicke says.At the same time, the entry model sips fuel at just 5.8L/100km and has greenhouse emissions of 134g/km.Like the new BMW 3 Series, there are now driver modes available, both with an economy mode for fuel-efficient motoring.The economy mode changes the airconditioning, throttle response and even effects cruise control bringing the car up to the set speed more smoothly and slowly. In dynamic mode, even the headlights are affected, turning quicker.But while the BMW offers four driver modes, Audi Drive Select offers five.There is also a choice of six-speed manual, eight-speed multitronic (CVT) or seven-speed S tronic, quattro with torque vectoring and a sport differential in the 3.0 TDI quattro, 3.0 TFSI quattro and all S models.Strudwicke says other technological improvements include better voice control for the phone system, iPod cover art display in the audio system and a digital radio option.DESIGNItalian designer Walter de Silva says his favourite design is the A5."The key reason people buy the A5 is design," says Strudwicke.It's certainly much more striking than the rather boring A4 and the new model features slightly bolder bits and pieces, including wedge-shaped Xenon headlights with LEDs now front and rear, high-gloss black single-frame grille and a new bumper. The horizontal front end makes it look more screwed down to the road.Inside is a revised instrument cluster, more simplified controller with fewer buttons and a new steering wheel with optional flat-bottomed wheels now available. Strudwicke says these have been a popular option.Apart from the three body shapes, six engine choices and three transmissions, Strudwicke says there is a wide range of colours, trims and options to personalise the vehicle."We think it's important that we offer a huge amount of choice. Customers tell us this," he says. "We can even paint the car almost any colour you want." But expect to pay as much as $4500 for the privilege.The A5 Cabriolet's three-layer soft top is available in black while the acoustic roof, which has an extra layer of polyurethane foam, is also available in grey, red or brown. Both soft tops are lightweight and open in 15 seconds and close in 17.SAFETYAs expected, the A5 has an extensive array of primary and secondary safety gear. One interesting item that is standard in all models is the new driver information system with break recommendation that monitors the driver's behaviour to detect if they are getting tired and then warns them. Audi side assist uses radar to monitor the blind spot for drivers changing lanes while active lane assist will not only shake the steering wheel if you move across a lane without indicating, but will also intervene and steer the vehicle around a corner.Audi's optional adaptive cruise control will now apply the brakes even below 30km/h, pulling the car to a stop in an emergency. However, safety standards are compromised by the provision of a spacesaver spare tyre under the cargo floor instead of a full-size spare.DRIVINGUnfortunately, Audi's freshening up of the A5 range comes as BMW has released its new 3 Series which bodes well for the coming coupe and cab variants. While the BMW provides a quantum leap forward in driving dynamics, refinement and ride comfort, the A5 presents only an incremental improvement in these areas. Much of the past criticism has been about the lifeless steering and heavy understeer. These have both been watered down by the new model. However, ride comfort and certainly suspension noise, are not the equal of the new BMW.On the national launch across some good and bad country roads around Bathurst this week, the cars handled with confidence and the new raft of engines provided plenty of drivable power, although the 1.8 TFSI is only adequate - just. There is now a lot of technology in the vehicle and most seemed to work well, but the optional active lane assistance only operated intermittently.Strudwicke says it needs solid white lines on either side of the vehicle to operate properly, but even when we had those lines, it didn't always work. When it did, it was brilliant. Rather than a heavy handed tug, it gently pushed the steering wheel in the appropriate direction. It may be difficult for some people to swallow such intervention but those who choose the option will appreciate it - when it works.VERDICTThe Sportback is the body shape to get if you want generous rear room and access, practical hatch carrying capacity and the sportiness of the coupe-like roof line. As for the preferred power plant, we'd go for the 2.0 TDI which is less than $2000 more than the rather lifeless entry model 1.8 TFSI.AUDI A5Prices: $66,900 (1.8 TFSI Coupe/Sportback) to $161,900 (RS5 Coupe)Warranty: 3 yrs unlimited kmService interval: 15,000kmEngines: 1.8, 2.0 and 3.0 TFSI and 2.0 and 3.0 TDI, 125kW-331kWTransmissions: 8-speed multitronic, 6-speed manual, 7-speed S tronic, FWD and AWDDimensions: 4.71m (Sportback), 4.63m (Coupe, Cabrio), 1,85m (W), 1.37-1.39m (H)Safety: 5-star Euro NCAP, 6-8 airbags, stability control, ABS, optional lane assist, side assist, adaptive cruiseThirst: 4.7L/100km (2.0 TDI Coupe) to 8.5L/100km (3.0 TFSI Cab)RIVALSAlfa Romeo Brera coupe (from $64,900)BMW 3 Series coupe (from $66,500)Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe (from $58,900).