Audi unveils new A5 and S5 Coupe

Audi has revealed the all-new A5 and S5 Coupe overnight at its Ingolstadt HQ, where more than 1000 guests witnessed the world debut of the redesigned mid-size German sports coupe.

Due on sale in Australia early next year following its European release around September, the latest A5 is based on the same second-generation modular longitudinal platform (MLB2) that debuted under last year's new Q7 SUV and also underpins this year's new A4 sedan and wagon.

The 2017 A5 Coupe body therefore weighs up to 60kg less than Audi's original A5, which debuted the car-maker's first-generation MLB platform nine years ago in 2007.

So far only the new A5/S5 Coupe has been shown, but Audi's direct rival for the BMW 4 Series Coupe and Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe will again be followed by a new A5 Sportback hatch and A5 Cabriolet, and of course new RS versions of all three body styles.

With the naturally aspirated 4.2-litre V8 of the old RS 4 and RS 5 to be retired, expect them to be powered by an uprated version of the 260kW/500Nm 3.0-litre turbo-petrol V6 seen in the latest S4 and S5.

Fitted with the same eight-speed automatic, all-wheel-drive powertrain as the upcoming S4 sedan, Audi says the new S5 3.0 TFSI Coupe can hit 100km/h in 4.7 seconds, making it two-tenths quicker than the supercharged 245kW/440Nm V6 seven-speed dual-clutch model it replaces and as quick as the outgoing RS 4 V8.

Like the latest A4, the A5 might look similar to the model it replaces but does in fact wear completely different sheetmetal to both the old A5 and the new A4.

Measuring 4.67 metres long and 1.37m tall, once again the sporty two-door mid-sizer presents a sleek roofline, long bonnet, short overhangs and sharp shoulder crease, but this time the latter bulges around more prominent front and rear wheel-arches.

It also links more aggressive versions of the A4's slimline headlights, which go without the latter's lightning bolt motifs and feature more prominent LED running lamps. There are LED tail-lights and standard xenon headlights can be optioned with LED or Matrix LED beams with dynamic turn signals.

A flatter bonnet with extra contour lines helps the new A5 achieve a class-leading aerodynamic drag coefficient of just 0.25Cd, while Audi's trademark single-frame grille is lower and wider, further adding aggression.

Full details are yet to be released, but in Germany the A5 will be available with five turbocharged engines -- including two petrols and three diesel – offering between 140kW and 210kW.

They will be matched with either six-speed manual, seven-speed dual-clutch or eight-speed automatic transmissions, and both all-wheel-drive and front-drive configurations. Audi says the powertrains will deliver up to 17 per cent more performance while consuming as much as 22 per cent less fuel.

Currently in Australia, the outgoing A5 Coupe opens at $68,200 for the 1.8 TFSI auto, and also includes the 2.0 TFSI quattro, 2.0 TDI quattro and 3.0 TDI quattro. Excluding the RS 5 4.2 quattro ($157,510), the S5 3.0 TFSI quattro tops the line-up at $119,510.

Mercedes' new C 200 Coupe now starts at $65,900, so it will be interesting to see how sharply Audi Australia can price the new A5.

Inside, the new A5 dashboard largely carries over from the A4, meaning a standard 7.0-inch MMI infotainment screen and three-spoke multi-function steering wheel, plus the option of a larger 8.3-inch central screen, 12.3-inch high-resolution virtual cockpit display for the driver and Bang & Olufsen 3D sound system.

Electro-mechanical power steering is standard, as is likely to be a host of safety technologies including lane keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, parking assistance, rear cross traffic alert, automated emergency braking and road sign recognition.

Together, Audi says these features form a semiautomated mode that allows the A5 to maintain a distance to the car in front, avoids obstacles and rear-end collisions, monitors oncoming traffic when turning left (in left-hand drive vehicles), recognises traffic signals, warns of cars in the blind spot and if your car leaves its lane, and parks autonomously.

Boot space is up 10 litres to 465 litres and will be augmented by a 40/20/40-plit folding rear seat, plus gesture-controlled power tailgate opening. Once again there are electrically extending and retracting seat belt feeders.

Other options will include a rear sport differential for all-wheel drive models fitted with Audi's new 'ultra' quattro system, ambient interior lighting with a choice of 30 adjustable shades, panoramic glass roof, seat massage function, three-zone climate-control, steering wheel heating and the centre armrest-mounted Audi phone box with wireless inductive charging for Qi-compatible smartphones.