A5 and S5 Sportback

Hatches set for show debut On sale in Britain next year

Audi takes the wraps off new hatchback stars

AUDI has revealed official images of the all-new A5 Sportback prior to its debut at the Paris Motor Show this month. Full details on the racy S5 Sportback have also been announced.

The car’s design is as expected, with a front end that’s identical to the standard A5 Coupé. But viewed in profile, the Sportback appears to be much curvier than the A4 saloon on which it’s based. The swooping profile, rising shoulder line and wider wheelarches help to give it a sportier appearance.

The five-door Sportback retains the hatchback layout from the outgoing model, which gives it an advantage when it comes to practicality over the booted coupé and the A4 saloon. Meanwhile, the S5 Sportback’s more muscular styling is again carried over from the S5 Coupé.

The A5 Sportback is fractionally longer and wider than the A4 saloon, but is 41mm lower and has a wider track. The A5’s wheelbase is also 4mm longer than that of the A4 at 2,824mm, so there will be a bit more passenger space. Audi claims an identical 480-litre boot, though.

The cabin is identical to that of the A4 and A5 Coupé, with the same Virtual Cockpit digital instruments and central MMI infotainment screen. Like the A4, the A5 Sportback is able to seat five passengers but the standard A5 Coupé can only accommodate four.

The familiar range of four and six-cylinder diesel and petrol engines transfers over to the A5 Sportback, with a choice of six-speed manual and seven or eight-speed auto gearboxes. The range kicks off with a 188bhp 2.0-litre TFSI petrol, while 2.0-litre and 3.0-litre TDI diesels are also available in various power outputs, ranging from 187bhp to 282bhp. The hot S5 uses the same 349bhp 3.0-litre V6 turbo petrol as the coupé. It fires the Sportback from 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds, helped by the car being 85kg lighter than its predecessor.

While the S5 is quattro only, the rest of the A5 Sportback range is front-wheel drive, with four-wheel drive as an option on selected models. The newcomer is due in UK showrooms at the start of next year, and as before, prices should fit between the A5 Coupé and A4 saloon, from around £30,000.

“The five-door A5 Sportback retains the hatchback boot of the outgoing model, giving it added practicality”