By Christopher A. Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(September 14, 2016) The A5 Coupe now has a brother, the A5 Sportback. Like the A7, the A5 Sportback follows the current trend for low-roofed, sleek four-door coupes with one difference. It has a hatch instead of a trunk lid. If you’re from a country other than the United States, you already know that.

The A5 Sportback has been on sale in Europe and elsewhere since 2009. This new model, built on Audi’s modular platform, is America’s first taste of this model.



Under the hood of the A5 are gasoline and diesel engines, though it is uncertain whether the diesels will be offered in the U.S., given the VW Group’s problems with the EPA. The top gas engine is a 2.0-liter turbo four with 249 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft. of torque available from 1,600 to 4,500 rpm. Audi says this pushes the A5 Sportback from0-62 mph in six seconds, and on to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. Or buyers can order a different 2.0 turbo with 187 hp and 236 lb.-ft. of torque available from 1,450 to 4,200 rpm.

The family of 2.0-liter diesels starts with a 187 hp/295 lb.-ft. of torque version mated to all-wheel drive and a seven-speed automatic that Audi says is good for a 0-62 mph run in 7.4 seconds. Also available in front-drive form, top speed is 146 mph. It features high and low pressure exhaust gas recirculation and SCR, selective catalytic reduction to control emissions. The 2.0-liter ultra TDI is the most efficient diesel model. It has modified transmission ratios, optimized aerodynamics, and low-rolling-resistance tires. Audi claims it will set the fuel economy standard in its competitive set.

There are two V6 TDI engines, both 3.0-liters. The first produces 215 hp and 295 lb.-ft. of torque between 1,250 and 3,750 rpm. It is joined by a 282 hp/457 lb.-ft. version with a variable geometry turbo that is 20% lighter than its predecessor.

Available in front- or all-wheel drive mated to either a six-speed manual, seven-speed dual-clutch or eight-speed automatic gearbox in the lower power version, and only with all-wheel drive in the higher output model, the diesels use optimized gas flow technology to more fully fill the combustion chambers, while close-coupled catalysts are used to treat the exhaust.

At the top of the tree, however, is the S5 Sportback. It is powered by a turbocharged V6 gas motor producing 349 hp and 369 lb.-ft. of torque from 1,370 to 4,500 rpm. Top speed is governed to 155 mph, while the 0-62 mph sprint takes just 4.7 seconds. Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system is standard on the S5, as is wheel-selective torque control and an eight-speed automatic that can freewheel between 34 mph and 99 mph when the driver eases off on the accelerator.

Available as an option is a sport differential that distributes torque between the rear wheels. In fast driving, it sends power to the outside wheel to quell understeer when turning into or accelerating through a turn.

The front suspension uses a redesigned five-link design, while the rear replaces the former trapezoidal-link design with one based around a five-link setup. Adaptive dampers are optional, and controlled by the Audi Drive Select controller located on the center console. A new electromechanical power steering unit is used, and can be fitted with Dynamic Steering that alters the steering ratio dependent upon vehicle speed and the angle of the steering wheel.

The A5 and S5 Sportback models are larger on the inside than the outgoing model. Interior length is up 0.67 in., front shoulder room is 0.43 in. greater, and rear knee room is up 0.94 in. In addition, there is 16.95 ft.3 of luggage space with the rear seats up, and 45.9 ft.3 with them down. Analog gauges are standard, but checking the right box on the option sheet will replace them with Audi’s Virtual Cockpit display that places a 12.3-in. high-resolution color monitor ahead of the driver. A head-up display is optional.

The top of the line infotainment system is MMI Navigation Plus with MMI Touch. This features 10 GB of flash storage, a DVD drive, three years of Audi Connect, up to five free navigation updates and a high-resolution 8.3-in. monitor. iOS and Android phone functions are integrated into the MMI, where they are connected to the on-board antenna and also can be inductively charged through the Qi charging pad. A Bang & Olufsen sound system with 755 watts and 19 loudspeakers also is available.

With all of these potential distractions, the Sportback offers Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go and Traffic Jam Assist. It assumes the braking and acceleration functions at speeds up to 40 mph, and can temporarily take charge of the steering on good roads. Collision Avoidance Assist will intervene if there is a need to drive around an obstacle by calculating a preferred driving line by using information compiled by the front camera, ACC and radar sensors.

Also available are: turn assist, park assist, cross traffic assist rear, exit warning, camera-based traffic sign recognition, Audi active lane assist and Audi side assist.

The Virtual Driver