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Audi A5

Manufacturer	Audi
Production	2007–present 26,041 built[clarification needed]
Assembly	Ingolstadt, Germany Shah Alam, Malaysia (Euromobil)
Predecessor	Audi A4 Convertible Audi 80 (as coupé)
Class	Compact executive car
Body style	2-door coupé 2-door convertible 5-door liftback
Layout	longitudinal front engine, front-wheel drive / quattro permanent four-wheel drive
Platform	MLB/MLP
Engine	1.8 L I4 Turbo FSI 2.0 L I4 Turbo FSI 3.2 L V6 FSI 3.0 L V6 Supercharged FSI 4.2 L V8 FSI 2.7 L V6 TDI 3.0 L V6 TDI 4.2 L V8
Transmission	6-speed manual, 6-speed Tiptronic automatic 7-speed S tronic semi-automatic 8-speed Multitronic CVT
Wheelbase	Coupe & Convertible: 2,751 mm (108.3 in) Sportback: 2,810 mm (110.6 in)
Length	S5: 4,641 mm (182.7 in) 2008-2010 Coupe & Convertible: 4,636 mm (182.5 in) 2011-Present Coupe & Convertible: 4,625 mm (182.1 in) A5 Coupe: 4,625 mm (182.1 in) 2009-2011 Sportback: 4,711 mm (185.5 in) RS5: 4,648 mm (183.0 in)
Width	Cabriolet: 2,019 mm (79.5 in) 2011-Present Coupe & Convertible: 1,854 mm (73.0 in) 2008-2010 Coupe & Convertible: 1,981 mm (78.0 in) Sportback: 1,854 mm (73.0 in) RS5: 1,857 mm (73.1 in)
Height	Cabriolet: 1,382 mm (54.4 in) S5 Coupe: 1,369 mm (53.9 in) A5 Coupe: 1,374 mm (54.1 in) Sportback: 1,391 mm (54.8 in) 2011-Present Coupe & Convertible: 1,372 mm (54.0 in) RS5: 1,367 mm (53.8 in)
Kerb weight	1,610 kg (3,549 lb)
Designer	Walter Maria de'Silva

The Audi A5 (internally designated Typ 8T) is a coupé produced by the German automobile manufacturer Audi since 2007. It is the coupé, cabriolet, and five-door fastback versions of the fourth generation (B8) Audi A4 saloon and estate models.

First generation[link]

Initial release[link]

Audi A5 interior

The A5 marks Audi's return to the compact executive coupé market since the (B3/B4) Audi 80-based coupé model ended production in 1996. The B6/B7 A4 spawned a convertible variant but not a coupé. For the fourth generation A4 (B8), Audi decided to spin off the cabriolet, along with a new coupé and five-door hatchback, into a nameplate of its own as the A5.

The new A5 and B8 A4 were based on the Audi MLP platform (Modular Longitudinal Platform) which is planned to underpin the next generation A6 and A8.^[1]

The A5 is the third coupe in Audi's line-up, next to the second-generation TT and the R8. The A5 has adopted many design elements of the Nuvolari quattro concept. The A5 debuted with the 3.2-litre FSI V6 engine delivering 195 kW (265 PS; 261 hp).

Coupé (8T3)[link]

Audi A5 Coupé

The design was based on Nuvolari quattro concept car. Audi A5 and S5 Coupé models were unveiled simultaneously in Salon International de l'Auto (Geneva)^[2] and Melbourne International Motor Shows on March 6, 2007.

Ordering of the A5 and S5 began on June 6, 2007 and the first delivery was made 11 months later.^[3] Launch models included 3.2 FSI V6 multitronic and 3.0 TDI quattro 6-speed,^[4] with 1.8 TFSI available in autumn 2007.

Early US models included the A5 3.2 FSI quattro and the S5 coupé 4.2 FSI quattro. Both vehicles included choice of a 6-speed manual or 6-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission. The S5 model went on sale in November 2007, equipped only with a manual transmission, while the A5 and the Tiptronic went on sale beginning spring of 2008.^[5]

Canadian models went on sale in 2008. Launch model included A5 3.2 FSI with choice of 6-speed manual or 6-speed Tiptronic transmission. Current models (.i.e. 2011 are only available with the 2.0 L Turbo engines, the 3.2 L is no longer available for the A5 in Canada.^[6]

Cabriolet (8F7) (2009–)[link]

Audi A5 Cabriolet

Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet (convertible) models were scheduled for production in early 2009. A5 Cabriolet included a fabric roof as opposed to a retractable hardtop as on the Volkswagen Eos. The engine ranges are same as contemporary A5 coupé models, but S5 Cabriolet came with a 3.0 TFSI V6 supercharged engine.^[7] The A5 Cabriolet replaces the A4 Cabriolet.^[8] Delivery of A5 Cabriolet began in the second quarter of 2009. The vehicle was unveiled in 2009 New York Auto Show.^[9]

US versions of A5 and S5 Cabriolet went on sale in September 2009 as a 2010 model. Early models included A5 2.0 I4 TFSI multitronic, A5 2.0 quattro Tiptronic, S5 quattro S Tronic.^[10]

Sportback (8TA)[link]

Audi A5 Sportback

The A5 Sportback has four framless doors and a long, tapering roofline, giving it a "coupé-like" appearance. It is designed to be "as emotional and elegant as a coupe, as comfortable as a sedan, and as practical as an Avant" according to Audi. While it shares many exterior cues with the A5 coupé, the Sportback's interior is actually more similar to the A4 sedan; although all A5 models have same platform as the A4, the Sportback is closer in design to the A4 than the rest of the A5 family.^[11][12] The Sportback has been described as "a sedan with the front end (including an identical S-line look) and taillights of the A5 coupe but the wheelbase of the A4", with the Sportback positioned more as the "designer's car" compared to the more conventional A4 sedan.^[13]

The Sportback model is available in Europe, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Middle East, Mexico and South Africa, and starts at €36,050. However it is not sold in the United States and Canada.^[14]

Early production models included 2.0 TFSI quattro 155 kW (211 PS; 208 hp), 3.2 FSI quattro, 2.0 TDI 125 kW (170 PS; 168 hp) with 6-speed manual gearbox and start/stop system, 2.7 TDI, 3.0 TDI quattro.

Production version went on sale in September 2009, with additional unannounced models beginning in the middle of 2010.^[15][16][17]

The A5 Sportback is available with two petrol engines or three diesel engines.

[edit] S5 (2007–)

Audi S5 coupe

Audi S5 cabriolet

The Audi S5 was released in coupé form to the public at the same time as the A5. The Audi S5, in comparison to the A5, features a more aggressive fascia (as do most Audi S and RS models), including a string of LED daytime running lights around the bi-Xenon headlamps and a vertically striped chrome grille. In many markets, the S5 includes as standard, 19" alloy wheels with a five-parallel spoke design, bigger brakes, heated leather sport seats, and other convenience features, some of which are available only as an option on the A5. Changes for 2010 model year include LED tail lamps, the introduction of Premium Plus and Prestige trim levels and new optional equipment such as Leather/Alcantara seats.

Despite sharing the same nameplate, the powertrains were different between the coupé and the Cabriolet/Sportback for the 2010–12 model years. The 2010–12 Audi S5 coupé had a 4.2 litre Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) V8 engine^[1] that produces 260 kW (349 hp), while the S5 Cabriolet and Sportback have a supercharged 3.0 litre TFSI V6 engine producing 245 kW (329 hp) which is shared with the 2010 Audi S4 3.0 TFSI quattro sedan and avant. The coupé had a choice of either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed Tiptronic, while the Cabriolet/Sportback have the 7-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission.^[18]

RS5 (2010–)[link]

2010 Audi RS5

The Audi RS5, which is only available as a two-door Coupé, was presented at 2010 Geneva Motor Show. Audi RS5 Redesigned receives a facelift and is equipped with a 4.2-liter V8 engine that produces 331 kW (444 hp) at over 8,000 rpm.

The Audi RS5 features a 4.2-litre naturally aspirated V8 with 331 kW (444 hp) and 430 N·m (320 lb·ft) of torque, which had previously been used in the now-discontinued Audi RS4 (B7)^[19], however the RS5's engine tuned for an additional 22 kW (30 hp). While the RS4 had only a Getrag 6-speed manual, the RS5's sole transmission is a 7-speed "S tronic" dual clutch semi-automatic.^[20]

There are adjustments for ride comfort and driving dynamics. The RS5 also features an integrated boot lid spoiler that automatically deploys above 120 km/h.^[21]

The RS5 weighs 1,800 kg (3,968 lb), with 56.3 percent at the front and 43.7 in the rear which makes it prone to understeer, however Audi has added two electro-mechanical systems to counter its nose-heaviness. The stability-control system attempts to stop front-end plow before it happens by squeezing the brakes on the inside wheels which effectively drag those tires enough to pull the car into the corner. The RS5 also has an active rear differential that can apportion power between the rear wheels to create a similar effect, or even oversteer; in normal conditions, quattro all-wheel drive delivers 60 percent of the engine’s torque rearward and rising to as much as 85 percent depending on conditions.^[22]

Aluminum A5 Coupé (2009)[link]

The Aluminum A5 Coupé is a prototype vehicle demonstrating the benefits of the aluminum Audi Space Frame (ASF) concept. It is based on Audi A5 Coupé 2.0 TFSI with 155 kW (211 PS; 208 hp) engine, but it uses the aluminum Audi Space Frame, aluminum and carbon fibre-reinforced plastics body. Punch riveting, bonding or laser-MIG hybrid welding replaced spot welding. The vehicle is 110 kg (243 lb) lighter than the equivalent steel-bodied production model.

The vehicle was built by Audi's Aluminum and Lightweight Design Centre in Neckarsulm.^[23]

Ethanol E100 Coupé (2010)[link]

It is a prototype designed for the Michelin Challenge Bibendum 2010 series. It includes a 2.0 TFSI engine rated 132 kW (179 PS; 177 hp) and 320 N·m (236 lbf·ft) torque, six-gear manual quattro transmission. It accelerates from 0–100 kilometers per hour in 6.9 seconds with top speed of 236 km/h (146 miles per hour), and weighted 1,310 kilograms. The car officially consumes 9.9 litres per 100 km (24 miles per gallon U.S.) when running on ethanol, but drivers managed 9.5 l/100 km (25 mpg) on ethanol during the Michelin Challenge Bibendum Rallye.^[24]

Specifications[link]

Body styles[link]

Engines[link]

Transmissions[link]

In 2009, Audi announced the 7-speed S Tronic transmission option for A5 with 2.0 TFSI quattro (155 kW) for the UK market,^[25] which replaced the 6-speed Tiptronic in the UK and Germany markets.

Beginning with the 2011 model year, the A5 2.0 TFSI quattro coupé and cabriolet includes 8-speed Tiptronic transmission option, replacing the 6-speed Tiptronic in the US and Canada markets.^[26]

For the S5 3.0 TFSI quattro (245 kW), the manual transmission was discontinued for the European market.^[27]

Reception[link]

The car was praised for its design, build quality, performance, and all-wheel drive system, and is favorably viewed by the majority of the motoring press.^[28] Walter de'Silva has said that the Audi A5 coupe is "his most beautiful design ever" ^[29]

Motorsports[link]

Audi A5 3.0 TDI won Michelin Challenge Bibendum under the Prototypes category.^[30]

The Ethanol E100 Coupé clinched overall victory in the Michelin Challenge Bibendum 2010 eco rally over a distance of 350 kilometres.^[31]

2012 model year update (2011–)[link]

Audi A5 Sportback facelifted

The updated vehicles, covering A5 Coupé, Convertible, Sportback and S models, includes updated front and rear lights, as well as a new front bumper design. The new front end includes pronounced air inlets, revamped grilles and flat fog lights. The overall vehicle is 10 mm longer than predecessor. Sportback model includes 5-seat option.

The updated vehicles were unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.^[32]

Sales began in Europe in 2011 as 2012 model year vehicles. Early models include A5 1.8 TFSI, A5 2.0 TFSI, A5 3.0 TFSI, S5 3.0 TFSI, 2.0 TDI. The base model Audi A5 Sportback 1.8 TFSI was sold for €33,350.^[33]

A5 DTM (2012–)[link]

Codenamed R17, the Audi A5 DTM is a race car designed for the DTM beginning in year 2012, replacing the Audi A4 DTM.^[34] It includes a V8 engine rated at 340 kW (462 PS; 456 hp) with 6-speed transmission (from previous A4 DTM car), pneumatically operated using paddle shifters in the steering wheel, engine electronics (Bosch MS 5.1) and the central display from Audi R8 LMS, larger and wider tires from Hankook, 120-litre safety fuel tank inside carbon fiber cell, and a larger rear wing. The prototype was built by Audi Sport in Ingolstadt.

The vehicle was unveiled at the 2011 International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt.^[35] The homologation of the A5 DTM was scheduled for March 1, 2012.

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Audi A5

• Audi RS5 2010 - First Official Pics
• Official Audi A5 microsite