After four years and 330,000 sales Audi’s handsome A5 gets a makeover. Motors went to test all three body styles in Jerez last week.
The two-door Coupe continues to fill the sexy four-seater role, while there is very good news for A5 drivers who need more seats – as the five-door A5 ‘Sportback’ is now available with seating for five. The four-seat A5 Cabriolet is a great feel good car. It is beautifully proportioned but doesn’t shout about it.
While the exterior changes to the range are subtle the engine range gets a greener image and makeover. CO2 emissions are improved by 11% on average across the range mainly due to the standard fitting of engine Stop/Start. ‘Drive Select’ (Audi’s switchable driving modes) that allows the driver to set up the car’s delivery of power and handling gets an additional setting namely ‘Efficiency’.
So apart from new LED lights front and rear what is new? The suspension and steering gets a makeover and are more driver focused. Steering is sharper and more direct thanks to a new compact set up. Variable steering torque and steering ratio add to the sportiness of the revised system. The suspension gets new damper settings that delivers a very comfortable ride. If you want a sportier experience than you get on the front-wheel drive versions you can specify on the 6–cylinder Quattro versions a ‘Sport Differential’ to keep the rear wheels in check. Inside the cabin the MMI (Multi Media Interface) has been simplified with fewer buttons and even a toggle dial volume control. All the toys from the new A6 are optional like the ‘Live Google mapping’ on the 7 inch sat system plus driving aids like full auto stop.
I first took a manual 2.0 litre TDi diesel Sportback for a spin. Two band ‘A’ and one band ‘B’ 2-litre TDis will be sold in Ireland. Power outputs range from 136bhp-177bhp. The 2-litre TDi engine was hushed and torquey. Overall the Sportback’s ride is biased for comfort. In the back it is worth noting that headroom is tight as my head was touching the roof lining - and I’m just five foot ten.
Next I went for an indulgent blast in the range topping 333bhp, 3.0 litre TFSi, ‘S5’, Quattro, S-Tronic (two lower powered S5s are available - a 238bhp Quattro and a front wheel drive 204bhp version). This is a brilliant machine that can cover ground really quickly. The petrol engine despite being scaled back to a smaller V6 still manages to make a lovely noise. For serious drivers the RS5 is still the one but for the odd blast the S5 is a hoot. For me the brakes could be a little stronger and the suspension a little bit stiffer but S5 puts a smile on your face.
I took a Cabriolet TFSi next and felt very well catered for. The soft top’s cabin is quiet with the roof in place and refreshingly blustery with it down. A5 Cabriolet is one of the few drop tops where the windscreen doesn’t stretch halfway over your head! My last test car was a 2.0 litre TFSi Coupe. This 211bhp version turned out to be a pleasant surprise as I wasn’t expecting it to be particularly interesting or a decent performer relatively speaking, but it was extremely refined and had plenty of poke.
Revised A5 reaches Irish showrooms in November for January delivery. The mid-life revisions have freshened up what was already a very desirable car.
Michael Sheridan
