Audi A5 2009 review

The opportunity comes from addition of an entry-level two-litre quattro model and a double-clutch automated manual gearbox.

Models and pricing

The new powerplant - which also features in the company's new Q5 SUV - slots into the A5 range as an entry point, with the quattro manual priced from $79,900 and the seven-speed S tronic wearing an $83,500 pricetag.

Drivetrains

The two-litre four-cylinder engine shares blocks with the previous A4 2.0-litre TFSI - which offers 132kW - but the new turbocharged direct-injection engine has variable valve systems on inlet (timing) and exhaust (lift), a new intercooler design and chains operating the camshafts.

The A5's new engine - which sits further back in the engine bay than its forebears - offers 155kW between 4300 and 6000rpm, with 350Nm of torque available between 1500 and 4200rpm.

Audi says the systems - combined with engineering work done to reduce friction - to produce a quicker charging of the turbo, as well as improving fuel consumption, with an improvement of up to 20 per cent over the previous two-litre powerplant.

When teamed with the S-tronic transmission the A5 returns 7.5l/100km, which drops by 0.1 when the manual transmission is directing drive.

Audi is boasting better fuel use, fewer emissions, 100Nm more torque (although it's 5kW down on the BMW, 20kW up on the Benz) and more than a second quicker to 100km/h than the BMW 325i auto coupe and the Mercedes-Benz CLK 200K auto coupe.

The quattro system follows several other Audi models in apportioning 60 per cent of drive rearward, with the remaining 40 going to the front wheels; up to 85 per cent can head aft should conditions require it.

Equipment

The features list on offer includes 17in alloy wheels, tri-zone climate control, power-adjustable front seats, keyless entry and start, Bluetooth phone link, xenon headlights and LED driving lights.

As is the norm, the options list is extensive and expensive - the adaptive dampers add $3600, the multi-media interface with hard drive memory for music and satnav adds $5900, adaptive cruise control ups the price by $2945 and the whopper sunroof increases the asking price by $2860.

There's also an S-Line sports package which increases wheel size to 18in, puts sports trim in the cabin and tightens up the suspension tune for $5850.

Sales

But what ever the argument about pricing and options, the A5 range thus far has performed "exceedingly well" on the sales front, according to Audi, with estimates of around 700 units for this year, currently led by the 3.2 FSI model representing almost half of A5/S5 sales.

The company expects the introduction of the 2.0 TFSI model to gather 130 sales and about 30 per cent of the range total sales, which are already 50 per cent up on 2008 - the range totalled 623 sales for Audi last year.

Driving

The upgraded two-litre TFSI engine might well share the same basic block but the extra work has been worthwhile.

Not that the 132kW version of the engine is any slouch - it is a decent powerplant - but the 155kW version that has been slotted into the middle of the A4 range and as an entry-level A5 has plenty of charm and performance.

With the quattro system biased to the rear and the engine weight no longer hanging out ahead of the front wheels, the A5 TFSI doesn't feel like an entry-level model.

The engine is willing and has a punchy midrange, there's next-to-no lag and the double-clutch gearbox slips cogs in 0.2 of a second.

One of the best looking cars around, the A5 has enough room for four, decent luggage space and the ability to get from A to B without excessive thirst - at least until you get serious on a back road, but even then the trip computer won't frighten you.

The A4 was also sampled with the new engine and was similarly spritely.

With the adaptive damping system set to dynamic and swapping gears with the six-speed manual, the new TFSI models can both be punted with enthusiasm and show plenty of ability through the curves.

The A5 in particular - and without the adaptive damping system - has enough punch from the powerplant and the ability to put it effectively to ground.

A talented chassis, good grip without the perils of an understeery driveline and decent punch from a frugal engine gives the A5 added appeal at a better price.

Audi A5 TFSI coupe

Price: from $79,900.

Engine: two-litre 16-valve DOHC intercooled turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

Transmission: six-speed manual or seven-speed double-clutch automatic, all-wheel drive.

Power: 155kW between 4300 & 6000rpm.

Torque: 350Nm between 1500 & 4200rpm.

Performance: 0-100km/h 6.5 seconds. Top speed 245km/h.

Fuel consumption: 7.4litres/100km (S tronic 7.5), tank 65litres.

Emissions: 173g/km (S tronic 179).

Rivals:

Alfa Romeo GT V6, from $69,990.

BMW 3 Series coupe, from $70,959.

Mercedes-Benz CLK coupe, from $88,859.

Peugeot 407 V6, from $69,800.