New Audi A5 arrives in Australia

After almost a decade on sale, Audi's A5 Coupe has been replaced by an all-new model in the Australian market, sporting a more angular, contemporary design, class-leading safety assistance functionality and some clever convenience tech.

The second-generation Audi style-meister arrives this month priced from $69,900, packaged with more economical yet powerful engines – three petrol engines and one diesel – plus a completely new interior with plenty of finery, including customisable coloured ambient lighting, leather appointed electrically adjustable sports seats and three-zone automatic climate-control.

The new A5 and S5 Coupe will go head-to-head with the BMW 4 Series (from $68,900) and Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe (from $65,900).

With more than 13,000 A5s sold in Australia since its inception – and more than 320,000 globally – the A5 "does more than just contribute sales numbers", observed Anna Burgdorf, Audi Australia's director of communications.

"Those who prioritise design above all else appreciate it. It's a concept of aspiration, of desire," she said, adding that buyers are typically successful professionals with high incomes.

Prices have risen slightly, from $68,900 to $69,900 for the entry-level model, due to the axing of the 1.8-litre engine – it's all about 2.0- and 3.0-litre engines now. At the top of the tree, the price of the range-topping S5 Coupe has been slashed from $122,616 to $105,800, a saving of $16,816.

Audi Australia says most popular model will not be the most affordable front-drive 2.0 TFSI variant, but the mid-spec quattro model, which is priced from $81,500.

Australian pricing for the new 2017 Audi A5 Coupe is as follows:

A5 Coupe 2.0 TFSI S tronic -- $69,900 (140kW)
A5 Coupe 2.0 TDI quattro S tronic -- $73,900 (140kW)
A5 Coupe 2.0 TFSI quattro S tronic -- $81,500 (185kW)
S5 Coupe 3.0 TFSI quattro tiptronic -- $105,800 (260kW)

The German importer says all A5 models come with more standard equipment than before, and that the new mid-size coupe features class-leading infotainment, class-leading cabin quietness and the most economical petrol engine in its class. Oh, and it looks classy too, says Audi.

Audi A5 standard features
All models come standard with Audi's flashy and functional Virtual Cockpit, a fully digitised and customisable instrument panel that can display engine and road speed dials along with satellite-navigation with photo-realistic Google Maps overlay and Street View functionality.

Entry-level A5 Coupe 2.0 TFSI and 2.0 TDI models come with LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, three-zone climate-control with rear digital display, ambient interior light strips, convenience key with kick gesture to open the boot, leather-appointed power-adjustable front sports seats, Audi smartphone interface (Apple CarPlay/Android Auto) with in-car WiFi for up to eight devices, Audi connect, the 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit display and another 8.3-inch central infotainment screen mounted centrally on the dashboard.

Audi reckons its infotainment system is class-leading, including the MMI touch pad, eight programmable favourite buttons, Bluetooth everything, two USB ports, two SD card readers, digital radio, a DVD player and even an AUX input.

"If you can't play music in this car, something is wrong!" said Peter Strudwicke, Audi Australia's product manager for the A5 range.

Like its four-door sibling, the A4, the Audi A5 Coupe gets lots of sensors and driver assistance features as standard. It's got front and rear radar and ultrasonic sensors that help the car sense the world around it.

The A5 use adaptive radar cruise control to maintain speeds automatically, it has rear cross traffic assist to warn of vehicles behind you when reversing out of a tight parking spot and will even apply the brakes. It's even got an exit warning system designed to stop you opening your door into an approaching cyclist or other vehicle.

Autonomous emergency braking or AEB works at up to 85km/h -- roughly double the speed of most systems, and along with stability control, anti-lock brakes and six airbags helps the car attain a five-star ANCAP safety rating.

All models have a space-saver spare wheel in the boot, which has a 465-litre cargo capacity – the largest in the segment, says Audi. The 40/20/40-split rear seats can also folded to liberate more space.

Mid-spec A5 Coupe 2.0 TFSI quattro models get all of the above while adding 19-inch alloy wheels and a flat-bottom sports steering wheel.

Range-topping S5 Coupe models get a more advanced quattro AWD system with a mechanical self-locking central differential, bigger brakes (350mm six-pot front, 330mm twin-pot rear) with red callipers, a third 'S mode' on the virtual cockpit and a unique suspension setup featuring a twin-mode adjustable suspension setup.

Several optional packages are also in the offing, including the Assistance package (traffic jam drive assistance, 360-degree cameras, active lane assist, collision avoidance assist and high-beam assist) for $2470, the Parking Assistance package (self-parking, 360-degree cameras) for $1255 and for tech lovers the Technik package (Matrix LED headlights, Bang & Olufsen 19-speaker stereo, head-up display) for $5600.

There's also a pair of S line packages, one called style, the other sport. They add exterior and interior upgrades, including 19-inch alloy wheels, costing between $2500 and $7400 depending on which A5 you buy.

Audi A5 engine types
All A5 models in Australia get automatic transmissions: dual-clutch seven-speed (S tronic) units in the three 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder variants and a conventional eight-speed epicyclic (tiptronic) auto in the stove-hot V6-powered S5.

The entry-level Audi A5 Coupe 2.0 TFSI model's engine generates 140kW/320Nm and has a claimed fuel consumption figure of 5.5L/100km.

Strudwicke said it's the "most economical petrol engine in its class" and emits low levels of CO2 at 125g/km, thanks to an engine idle-stop feature and "predictive efficiency" that allows it free wheel when on declines.

It accelerates to 100km/h in 7.3 seconds and has a top speed of 240km/h. It is the only front-drive variant in the new 2017 Audi A5 range.

Next is the 2.0 TDI quattro model, which develops 140kW/400Nm while using fuel at a rate of 4.6L/100km.

"It's the most economical diesel AWD vehicle on the market, in any segment," stated Strudwicke, adding that it also comes with a 0-100km/h sprint time of 7.2 seconds and a top speed of 235km/h, and emits CO2 at a rate of 121g/km.

Expected to be the top seller, the 2.0 TFSI quattro bumps power up to 185kW/370Nm and rips to 100km/h in 5.8 seconds, with a top speed of 250km/h. Fuel economy is claimed at 6.5L/100km, CO2 emissions at 149g/km.

The hard-charging S5 Coupe 3.0 TFSI quattro is the only model not packing a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder mill, instead packing a bigger 3.0-litre turbo-petrol V6 worth 260kW/500Nm. It'll sprint to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds while drinking fuel at a rate of 7.5L/100km. CO2 emissions are 171g/km.

Strudwicke says he expects the new A5 Coupe range to outsell the previous model thanks to improved equipment, safety and efficiency. He added that the car's improved image, its "sharpness and quality" and "precise, faceted, aggressive new shape" will also draw new and existing customers into dealerships.

The new A5 and S5 Coupe will be joined by the five-door A5/S5 Sportback around May, followed by the new A5/S5 Cabriolet and the piping hot new RS 5 Coupe — by the end of this year.