Audi A5 Sportback: available from next month
Combining three types of cars in one... for four (1/7 >)

24 August 2009 - Available in Europe from next month, the new five-door Audi A5 Sportback will join the A5 premium midsize range (D segment, upper medium, like the A4 sister model), after the A5 Coupe and the A5 Cabriolet (or convertible).

While prices (Germany) start from 33,650 euros for the 2.0 TFSI (132 kW / 177 bhp / 180 hp), Audi says that a further 1.8-litre entry-level model will follow next year at a lower price, making the Sportback the entry model in the A5 model series.

Instead of a classical 4-door sedan which would overlap with the A4 sister, a 5-door hatchback or a regular station wagon (like the Audi Avant family), the A5 Sportback tries to combine several virtues of each of these body styles, in an original "cocktail" for four passengers sitting on an generous wheelbase (for the segment) of 2.81 meters (9.2 ft).

The sporting expression of the A5 Sportback identity comes first from having its body 36 millimetres (1.42 in) lower than the A4 sedan's (its structural brother), with a short front overhang, long wheelbase, wide track, four frameless doors and a four-seat interior.

The tailgate covers a luggage compartment volume of 480 litres (16.95 cu ft), extending up to 980 litres (34.61 cu ft) with the rear seats folded down. More details about the body, dimensions, interior and boot (trunk) at: A5 Sportback body and interior.

At launch, the A5 Sportback is available with three gasoline (petrol) and three diesel engines, with three other variations to follow by the middle of next year (details in the Audi A5 Sportback engines page). All of the engines adopt direct injection technology, TDI for the diesels, FSI for the gasoline ones, and all come also with a recuperation system to recover energy during braking and deceleration and store it temporarily in the battery and comply with the Euro 5 emissions standard.

The gasoline TFSI engines are equipped with the Audi valvelift system (AVS) for variable control of valve lift, to enhance performance and reduce fuel consumption. They come in two-litre capacity (4 cylinders) with a maximum output of 132 kW (177 bhp, 180 hp) or 155 kW (208 bhp, 211 hp) or in a 3.2-litre V6 with a maximum output of 195 kW (261 bhp, 265 hp).

On the diesel side, the 2.0 TDI produces 125 kW (168 bhp, 170 hp) and consumes on average 5.2 litres of fuel per 100 km (45.23 US mpg, 54.29 imperial mpg). It is coupled with the start-stop system to further enhance fuel efficiency in city traffic.

The 2.7-litre TDI offers more power, with 140 kW (188 bhp, 190 hp), while the 3.0 TDI which also features the S tronic, tops the initial diesel power with 176 kW (236 bhp, 240 hp).

All-wheel drive quattro versions will be available as an alternative to the front-wheel drive ones (depending on versions).

The two most powerful engines are optionally available with a newly developed sport differential, which variably distributes power between the rear wheels. More details about the transmissions and the drive systems at: A5 Sportback drive and transmission.

The two TDI models with front-wheel drive – the 2.0 TDI and 2.7 TDI – and the 2.0 TFSI (132 kW / 180 hp) get Audi's ESP stabilization program with electronic front differential lock to enhance agility and help prevent understeer.

The Audi drive select system enables the driver to vary the throttle response characteristic, the shifting points of the seven-speed S tronic, and the boost provided by the servotronic steering system, which comes standard (from power outputs of 140 kW, 190 hp upwards). The system is offered as a modular package with at least one of the following three options: sport differential, adaptive shock absorber control or dynamic steering with variable boost.