Audi A5

By Sam Hardy

28th February 2007

	Deep, comfortable seats and class-leading materials will mean it's a quality place in which to spend time

The eagerly awaited A5 is making its debut at the Geneva Motor Show. And at the same time, the German firm is spotlighting the performance S5 on its stand.

Going up against BMW's 6-Series and the Jaguar XK, the A5 is Audi's first-ever large coupé. It features bold, sporty looks and ample space for four occupants and their luggage, and is due to hit the UK in the summer with a starting price of around £40,000.

Bridging the gap in the manufacturer's model range between the TT Coupé and the recently launched R8 supercar, the A5 is a true grand tourer. It offers a driving experience that blends sportiness with comfort, all wrapped up in a great body.

There is much of the new TT in the nose, with a prominent grille outlined in chrome. However, the pro­file is pure, traditional coupé, with a long bonnet and short tail. A rakish back screen and thick rear pillars are finished off by a high boot with neat tail-lights.

Inside, the A5 borrows much of its interior design from the A6 executive car, with Audi's dial-controlled Multi Media Interface (MMI) taking pride of place on the centre console. Deep, comfortable seats and class-leading materials will mean it's a quality place in which to spend time.

Under the skin, there is a modified platform that is taken from the next-generation A4 saloon, which is set to make its global debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. MacPher­son struts feature at the front, while there is a sophisticated multi-link sus­pension set-up at the rear.

Top-spec models will be available with Audi's electro-magnetic dampers, along with the quattro four-wheel-drive system. This combination will also be used for the S5 performance car.

Entry-level machines will remain front-wheel drive, though, while most versions will be offered with a six-speed manual transmission as standard. There will be the option of the marque's eight-speed Multitronic sequential gearbox, too.

Engine options include 177bhp and 211bhp variants of the 2.0-litre TFSI turbocharged petrol unit. Completing the unleaded line-up will be a 265bhp 3.2-litre V6, while the diesel range will include a 170bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder TDI, plus 190bhp 2.7 TDI and 238bhp 3.0 TDI V6s.

Meanwhile, the hot S5 stands out thanks to a grille with chrome slats, plus flared wheelarches, body skirts and five-spoke alloys. A 350bhp 4.2-litre V8 gives it enough muscle to cover 0-60mph in 5.5 seconds and reach a limited top speed of 155mph.

With modified suspension, uprated brakes and the electro-magnetic dampers - as well as a sporty cabin with bucket seats - the S5 will be well equipped to rein in its considerable punch. Priced at around £55,000, it should be on sale later this year.

However, the S5 won't be the last word in performance. An even faster £70,000 RS5 will arrive in late 2008, fitted with a 420bhp version of the same V8 - as seen in the RS4.

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