The Audi A5 quietly evolves
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Both 140kW engine types are equipped with cruise control, Xenon lights, selectable drive modes, a mix of real and man-made leather upholstery, MMI Radio Plus with Bluetooth and a floating central display, tyre pressure monitors and 17” alloys among other features in standard spec. Sport adds 18” wheels, aluminium interior inlays, different bumpers and grille, chrome tailpipes and sports seats. The same applies to the 185kW A5, but here you get electric seat adjustments, a locking centre differential and rear parking sensors in standard trim.
As with any Audi the options list is a long one, so you’ll have to pay in for extras like navigation, a Virtual Cockpit digital instrument cluster, fancier LED headlights, sports suspension, Bang & Olufsen sound, wireless phone charging and a variety of driving aids, which now includes a Traffic Jam assist feature that steers, brakes and accelerates for you at speeds up to 60km/h.
I drove the two front-wheel drive versions at the A5’s media launch last week, where some long stretches between Cape Town and Hermanus perfectly demonstrated this car’s cruising qualities. Neither model will set the tarmac alight, but they hustle along nicely with easy-going, grand touring pace. Cabin quality, in typical Audi form, is absolutely top notch and nicely suited for long distances with excellent wind and road noise cancellation.
But wait, there’s still a ninth model to mention. Along with these eight lesser derivatives comes a high performance S5 which will play top dog of the range until a Porsche-engined RS5 arrives late this year. Here a new 3-litre turbo replaces the previous S5’s supercharged V6, and with 260kW and 500Nm (15kW and 60Nm more than before) it’s easily up to the task of challenging Beemer’s 440i and Merc’s C43 AMG Coupe in pure output. This new motor is silky smooth in both power delivery and soundtrack, and was a delight to blast around the Cape’s flowing B-roads.
As per all Audi S cars, quattro drive is included but in this application is set up with a mechanical centre diff that can throw up to 70 percent of drive to the back axle when rear bias is needed - such as when carving hard through corners on heavy throttle. Handling is also aided by selective torque control, which lightly dabs the brakes on the inside wheels to help turn-in just ahead of curves. An optional Sports rear diff is also available for even more traction, and possibly even a hint of oversteer on corner exits.
The S5 uses an eight-speed Tiptronic (torque converter) gearbox in place of the seven-speed S tronic, in order to handle the new engine’s extra torque according to Audi.
The A5 range will be expanded with a four-door Sportback body style in May, and Cabriolets in July. The 2.9-litre twin-turbo RS5 with 330kW and 600Nm is scheduled for the fourth quarter.
Follow me on Twitter @PoorBoyLtd PRICES: A5 2.0T FSI 140kW R589 000 A5 2.0T FSI 140kW Sport R623 000 A5 2.0 TDI 140kW R619 000 A5 2.0 TDI 140kW Sport R653 000 A5 2.0 TDI 140kW quattro R652 500 A5 2.0 TDI 140kW quattro Sport R686 500 A5 2.0T FSI 185kW quattro R723 500 A5 2.0T FSI 185kW quattro Sport R757 500 S5 3.0T FSI 260kW quattro R928 000 All versions come with Audi’s all-inclusive 5-year/100 000km Freeway Plan.