Audi A5 Sportback emerges

Audi's new A5 Sportback has "broken cover" according to the latest press release, but only a sneak peak of the car's sinuous tail end has been shown.

Along with a cropped photo and an original sketch, some new details of the Mercedes-Benz CLS Class rival have come to light, including its Australian release date of early 2010.

The A5 Sportback is currently scheduled for a September 2009 launch in Europe.

Unlike its established four-door coupe competitors, such as the Benz CLS and Volkswagen Passat CC, the Audi A5 Sportback is a five-door coupe and features a lift-back tailgate akin to the Porsche Panamera.

Some of the other design features of the new German sports coupe include trendy frameless doors, lowered ride, smooth flowing roofline, short front and rear overhangs and a discreet bootlid spoiler and diffuser insert.

Joining the A5 Coupe and Cabriolet models, Audi claims the new A5 Sportback variant "combines the style and sophistication of a coupe with the comfort of a sedan, and the versatility of an Avant".

Audi has also confirmed that a range of direct injection diesel and petrol engines will be offered with the sleek four-seater '2+2' vehicle, including a pair of petrol and a trio of diesel mills.

As well as a 2.0-litre TFSI quattro with 155kW and 350Nm, the trusty 3.2-litre V6 quattro will be offered with a 195kW output. The entry-level diesel mill offered with the Audi A5 Sportback will be a 125kW 2.0 TDI, while the range topper will be a 176kW/500Nm V6 diesel.

Audi's newest sports coupe will aim to please with high luxury interior for four occupants and the German car maker is touting a luggage capacity of 480 litres. The rear seats can be folded down, increasing cargo space to 980 litres.

Sitting on a 2810mm wheelbase, slightly shorter than the Mercedes CLS Class's 2854mm, the new A5 Sportback will also be offered with a new stability control (ESP) system that incorporates a diff lock on the front axle. Combined, these features ensure "noticeably improved steering response" according to the German car marque.

Furthermore, the third model in the A5 range will be offered with the Audi drive select dynamic driving system, which allows drivers to change the cars ride, handling and acceleration characteristics at the touch of a button.

Set for its global premiere at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show in mid September, the svelte new Audi will be on sale in Australia in the first quarter of 2010, at which point pricing will be confirmed.

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