Audi A5 Sportback . . .
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CL Community Team
Joined: Oct 2002
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From: Canada
Audi A5 Sportback . . .
Wednesday 25 April 2007
In its hope to sell more than a million vehicles by the end of the decade, Audi will be releasing a host of possible new models that it will use to fill new market niches such as this Sportback version of the new A5 Coupe. According to this latest rendering from Germany’s Autobild, the A5 wagon will feature a five-door configuration, which positions it between the Avant models of the A4 and A6.
If it enters production, the first models could be in showrooms as early as 2009 but before we see the Sportback, Audi will be launching the Cabriolet version of the A5, which is expected to hit the market next year. Although a Sportback A5 would likely compete with Audi’s own A4 and A6 Avant, the lineup’s new modular design means each car can be developed at very low additional costs. The next-generation A4 and A6 models will be based on the same architecture that underpins the A5.
Audi exec Rupert Stadler has previously boasted that his company plans to launch up to 18 new models by 2015, so we wouldn’t be surprised if it did build the A5 Sportback. Other models that are planned include the A1 Mini-competitor, A7 four-door Coupe and Cabriolet, plus an all-new mid-sized Q5 SUV and smaller Q3 soft-roader.
Building the A5 Sportback with five doors would be silly when you consider that a significant part of the A5’s appeal is its coupe styling. Also, the Sportback is too similar to Audi’s other models. A two-door hatch the size of the A5, now that would be unique.
In its hope to sell more than a million vehicles by the end of the decade, Audi will be releasing a host of possible new models that it will use to fill new market niches such as this Sportback version of the new A5 Coupe. According to this latest rendering from Germany’s Autobild, the A5 wagon will feature a five-door configuration, which positions it between the Avant models of the A4 and A6.
If it enters production, the first models could be in showrooms as early as 2009 but before we see the Sportback, Audi will be launching the Cabriolet version of the A5, which is expected to hit the market next year. Although a Sportback A5 would likely compete with Audi’s own A4 and A6 Avant, the lineup’s new modular design means each car can be developed at very low additional costs. The next-generation A4 and A6 models will be based on the same architecture that underpins the A5.
Audi exec Rupert Stadler has previously boasted that his company plans to launch up to 18 new models by 2015, so we wouldn’t be surprised if it did build the A5 Sportback. Other models that are planned include the A1 Mini-competitor, A7 four-door Coupe and Cabriolet, plus an all-new mid-sized Q5 SUV and smaller Q3 soft-roader.
Building the A5 Sportback with five doors would be silly when you consider that a significant part of the A5’s appeal is its coupe styling. Also, the Sportback is too similar to Audi’s other models. A two-door hatch the size of the A5, now that would be unique.
So why are you making this? I could see... no I can't. Sorry. A5 says coupe to me. The number designations don't make sense if this becomes a five door. I could see a 5 door liftback or maybe a stretch 3 liftback but not an A6 avant.
Audi you had some good ideas going for a stretch and than decided to dump a bunch of cars that don't compete with anything but yourselves.
Audi you had some good ideas going for a stretch and than decided to dump a bunch of cars that don't compete with anything but yourselves.
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Dec 2002
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From: Tennessee
If Audi comes out with every model I've seen posted here in the last 6 months, they will have doubled their number of available models in under a year.
It was cool at first but it's getting kind of ridiculous now.
The A5 is marketed as a COUPE that sits between the A4 and A6 SEDANS.
So what do you call it now? A somewhat coupe-profile car that can have 2 or 4 doors depending on if you want a wagon or not?
The A5 is high on my list of cars to consider come october (to replace my A4) - but this kinda waters down the image of the A5, IMO.
It was cool at first but it's getting kind of ridiculous now.
The A5 is marketed as a COUPE that sits between the A4 and A6 SEDANS.
So what do you call it now? A somewhat coupe-profile car that can have 2 or 4 doors depending on if you want a wagon or not?
The A5 is high on my list of cars to consider come october (to replace my A4) - but this kinda waters down the image of the A5, IMO.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,466
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From: Cali
Amen to Threxx...
Is it just me, or are the new Audi Wagons all looking more like hatchbacks and not wagons. Take the A3... it's a four door hatchback. If I'm going to drive a wagon, it might as well have usable space back there. I actually like the A6 wagon; it has nicer proportions and usable space (Sandra Bullock drives one!)
The A5 Coupe... yes. Wagon? No.
Is it just me, or are the new Audi Wagons all looking more like hatchbacks and not wagons. Take the A3... it's a four door hatchback. If I'm going to drive a wagon, it might as well have usable space back there. I actually like the A6 wagon; it has nicer proportions and usable space (Sandra Bullock drives one!)
The A5 Coupe... yes. Wagon? No.
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CL Community Team
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From: Canada
Audi A5 Sportback ??
Hold on, an A5 Sportback ? That means it's a five-door wagon, right ?
Not quite. Confused? Well, it's neither an Avant nor a five-door Sportback as we know them. Rather, it's designed to be half wagon, half coupé. So this secret new A5 variant has a neat electrically powered tailgate that should combine the practicality of a five-door with the style of a coupe. So does that make it a coupate, or an estoupé? No, we're not sure either...
As CAR Online's exclusive images show, Audi is clearly intent on carving out a niche of its own after Mercedes stole a march on the 'four door coupé' segment with the CLS, which will be facelifted next year before a replacement in 2011. BMW too has showcased a 7-series based CLS rival - our July issue cover star, the Concept CS.
So, not content to simply follow the pack, Audi plans an aggressive two-product strategy to tackle the emerging practical coupe class, starting with the A5 Sportback you see here. Read on for the full story.
Sounds exciting. Tell me about the A5 Sportback then
The A5 Sportback will remain a four-seater, and Walter de'Silva and his artists have blessed it with sleek looks and back seats with more space than in the latest A5 coupé - great news for the style-conscious executive with normally sized friends and family.
'It combines hatchback practicality with one of the prettiest shapes ever conceived in Ingolstadt,' said a senior engineer at Audi. And we wouldn't disagree; the Sportback will retain the face of the current A5 while combining elements of the forthcoming A4 in the profile and an entirely new curvy rear end.
Dynamic highlights will include a Quattro 4WD system with a 40/60 front/rear torque split for sportier handling, as well as the introduction of yet another acronym for your repertiore in QVT - quattro torque vectoring - which will continually monitor torque distribution to the wheels and act accordingly, promising enhanced agility and traction.
Insiders predict three turbocharged direct-injection petrol four-pot engines delivering 150, 177 and 211bhp, as well as a 265bhp 3.2 V6. And yes, there will be an S5 Sportback too, set to be powered by the 354bhp 4.2 V8 currently found in the S5. You want more? Ok then, we're told there's a mile-munching RS5 is in the works, set to be unleashed with at least 450 angry horses stuffed under the bonnet.
But for those of us who have to think about the dull realities of tax and emissions, a new 204bhp 2.0-litre diesel should partner the familiar 170bhp unit in the Sportback. As yet there's no word on the 2.7 V6 oil burner featuring, but it's a banker that the popular 240bhp 3.0 TDI will. Want to go cleaner? A Bluetec diesel is mooted, as well as a hybrid. Don't hold your breath for that though.
Ok, that's all good, but earlier you said it was a two-product strategy. What's the other one ?
Perhaps you recall our A7 scoop in July? Well, that's the other four-door coupé on the cards at Ingolstadt.
According to Audi, a big coupe based on the existing A8 platform would be too expensive, so the A7 will be based on the next A6, endowing it with space and relative affordability. It will be 'emphatically premium in appearance and content,' says our insider, but will sit below the A8 range as a more definitive rival to the CLS in terms of price, style and concept.
Sounds like Audi is set to shatter any existing ideas of traditional niches then. You have been warned...
Words: Mark Nichol
Not quite. Confused? Well, it's neither an Avant nor a five-door Sportback as we know them. Rather, it's designed to be half wagon, half coupé. So this secret new A5 variant has a neat electrically powered tailgate that should combine the practicality of a five-door with the style of a coupe. So does that make it a coupate, or an estoupé? No, we're not sure either...
As CAR Online's exclusive images show, Audi is clearly intent on carving out a niche of its own after Mercedes stole a march on the 'four door coupé' segment with the CLS, which will be facelifted next year before a replacement in 2011. BMW too has showcased a 7-series based CLS rival - our July issue cover star, the Concept CS.
So, not content to simply follow the pack, Audi plans an aggressive two-product strategy to tackle the emerging practical coupe class, starting with the A5 Sportback you see here. Read on for the full story.
Sounds exciting. Tell me about the A5 Sportback then
The A5 Sportback will remain a four-seater, and Walter de'Silva and his artists have blessed it with sleek looks and back seats with more space than in the latest A5 coupé - great news for the style-conscious executive with normally sized friends and family.
'It combines hatchback practicality with one of the prettiest shapes ever conceived in Ingolstadt,' said a senior engineer at Audi. And we wouldn't disagree; the Sportback will retain the face of the current A5 while combining elements of the forthcoming A4 in the profile and an entirely new curvy rear end.
Dynamic highlights will include a Quattro 4WD system with a 40/60 front/rear torque split for sportier handling, as well as the introduction of yet another acronym for your repertiore in QVT - quattro torque vectoring - which will continually monitor torque distribution to the wheels and act accordingly, promising enhanced agility and traction.
Insiders predict three turbocharged direct-injection petrol four-pot engines delivering 150, 177 and 211bhp, as well as a 265bhp 3.2 V6. And yes, there will be an S5 Sportback too, set to be powered by the 354bhp 4.2 V8 currently found in the S5. You want more? Ok then, we're told there's a mile-munching RS5 is in the works, set to be unleashed with at least 450 angry horses stuffed under the bonnet.
But for those of us who have to think about the dull realities of tax and emissions, a new 204bhp 2.0-litre diesel should partner the familiar 170bhp unit in the Sportback. As yet there's no word on the 2.7 V6 oil burner featuring, but it's a banker that the popular 240bhp 3.0 TDI will. Want to go cleaner? A Bluetec diesel is mooted, as well as a hybrid. Don't hold your breath for that though.
Ok, that's all good, but earlier you said it was a two-product strategy. What's the other one ?
Perhaps you recall our A7 scoop in July? Well, that's the other four-door coupé on the cards at Ingolstadt.
According to Audi, a big coupe based on the existing A8 platform would be too expensive, so the A7 will be based on the next A6, endowing it with space and relative affordability. It will be 'emphatically premium in appearance and content,' says our insider, but will sit below the A8 range as a more definitive rival to the CLS in terms of price, style and concept.
Sounds like Audi is set to shatter any existing ideas of traditional niches then. You have been warned...
Words: Mark Nichol
