Audi is rolling out the 2012 version of the A5 series that will come with several technological and cosmetic updates to the Sportback, Coupé, Cabriolet and S5 models.
Under the hood the A5 has the completely redesigned 1.8 TFSI with updates that can be found in the control of the valves and their lift, the thermal management concept, the injection system, the turbocharger and the integration of the exhaust manifold. In the A5 Coupé, the high-end four-cylinder unit consumes on average just 41.27 mpg. The output of the 2.0 TFSI remains unchanged with 211 hp. New to the Audi A5 lineup is the 3.0 TFSI, a supercharged V6 producing 272 hp.
At the top of the line are three V6 diesel units. The 3.0 TDI with 204 hp is the most fuel-efficient six-cylinder unit in its class worldwide. In the A5 Coupé with multitronic, it gets an average of 48 US mpg. The second variant of the 3.0 TDI produces 245 hp. Arriving in the near future is a low-emissions clean diesel model that will make the A5 the first coupe on the market to meet the Euro 6 diesel standard.
A manual six-speed transmission and the continuously variable multitronic are available for models with front-wheel drive. The quattro models come with a manual transmission or the lightning-fast, seven-speed S tronic. Models of the A5 family equipped with quattro permanent all-wheel drive and the S tronic transmission also feature the crown-gear center differential with torque vectoring. During normal driving, the mechanical component sends the engine’s power primarily to the rear wheels. When needed it redistributes the power lightning-fast and smoothly. Up to 70 percent can flow to the front axle, 85 percent to the rear axle. Torque vectoring uses targeted, minor braking interventions to make the handling even more precise.
The A5 has a five-link front suspension and the trapezoidal-link rear suspension are made of aluminum. The rear suspension bearings and the damper tuning have been updated for more precise handling and even greater comfort.
The ESP stabilization program with electronic limited slip differential is standard in all front-wheel drive versions of the A5. ESP uses minimal braking interventions at the inside front wheel for even more agility during dynamic driving. The large brakes – with ventilated front and rear discs in many variants – offer excellent stopping power and are very easy to modulate.
The A5 comes with 17-inch wheels with 225/50 tires as standard equipment. Options include wheels up to 20 inches and 265/30 tires as well as four new wheel designs.
Among the high-end features in the model series is Audi drive select. In the basic configuration, it adjusts the power steering boost, the accelerator characteristic, the shift points of the automatic transmission and the automatic air conditioning. Using a button in the cockpit, the driver can determine whether these components should work in “comfort,” “auto,” “dynamic” or “efficiency” mode. The latter helps to drive the A5 particularly efficiently. If the car is equipped with a navigation system, there is also an “individual” mode that the driver can largely configure him or herself.
Another new standard feature in the A5 model series is the electromechanical power steering. An electric motor generates the right amount of boost for the speed being driven. The electromechanical power steering features a direct ratio, reacts instantly and provides precise road feedback. It intervenes slightly to support the driver when braking on a surface with less grip on one side of the car.
From the curb changes in the exterior of the A5 include the upper corners of the single-frame grille are now in high-gloss black are beveled. The grille’s lateral bars and the Audi rings appear to be sculpted. The new bumper features pronounced air inlets with massive struts, revamped grilles and flat fog lights. Sharply chiseled edges give the engine hood a three-dimensional look; the entire front end appears even flatter and wider.
The headlights have also been updated. Their lower edge forms a wave while their interior has been restructured. With the optional xenon plus headlights, the LED daytime running lights form a narrow, homogenous clasp framing the headlight. Audi also offers the adaptive light system with dynamic cornering light and turning light. The rear lights have also been redesigned and are optionally available with continuous LED light strips. The bumper includes a number of additional details.
The updates have added a 0.04 in to each of the exterior dimensions. The A5 Sportback is 15.45 ft long; the Coupé and the Cabriolet 15.19 ft. The range of colors has been reshuffled and now comprises 16 colors. The fully automatic acoustic top of the A5 Cabriolet is available in four colors. The S line exterior package is available for those who appreciate an even more dynamic look.
Inside, updates include new steering wheels, including an option for a flattened ring, new steering column stalks and with narrow chrome clasps framing the control elements. A button is used to directly adjust the optional seat heating and seat ventilation in three stages. Also updated were the ignition key, the selector lever for the automatic transmission, the button for the optional Audi drive select system and the controls of the high-efficiency air conditioning and multifunction steering wheel. All displays are now illuminated in white.
New paint covers the bezels on the instrument cluster and the center console, and there is also a new selection of upholstery and inlays. The latter are available in Aluminum Trigon or in walnut or natural fine grain ash. Almost all of the interior colors are new. Fine Nappa leather replaces Valcona in the Sportback, and the armrests can also be covered in leather, if desired. The A5 Sportback is also now optionally available as a five-seater.
Buyers looking for that special something will find many more customization options in the Audi exclusive range, including the stylish Audi exclusive line with two-tone seat coverings.
The infotainment systems in the A5 have been significantly upgraded. Audi equips all models in the A5 lineup with a CD radio and eight speakers.
The optional top-of-the-line unit is MMI navigation plus with a large hard drive, seven-inch color monitor, 3D graphics and DVD player. Its controls have been improved. The number of hard buttons has been reduced from eight to four and the volume control now features a joystick cap to make it easier to choose songs. Voice control and digital radio reception also received some fine-tuning.
An additional option is the Bluetooth online car phone. Audi connect is the catchword for the attractive services this phone brings to the A5, which include Google POI search, navigation with Google Earth images and a WLAN hotspot. The hotspot enables passengers to surf the Internet and send and receive e-mail with their mobile devices. Audi traffic information online is an additional service that does a much better job than the familiar TMC standard of providing the driver with extremely precise and current information about the traffic load along the selected route. All the driver needs to use these functions is a data-capable SIM card.
The assistance systems in the Audi A5 model series use a variety of technologies to make driving even more controlled. Some of them have been improved with new functions. Among the standard features is the new driver information system with recommendations to take a break. It uses steering motions and additional parameters to detect when the driver is getting tired and issues an appropriate warning.
Audi side assist supports the driver when changing lanes by using radar to monitor the space behind the car. Audi active lane assist – a new feature in the A5 – helps the driver to maintain the lane. A camera detects the lane markings and the system makes slight corrections to the electromechanical steering, if necessary. The adaptive cruise control uses radar technology to maintain a constant interval between the A5 and the vehicle ahead. At speeds below 30 km/h (18.64 mph), it initiates maximum braking in the event of an impending collision.
The top models in the series, the S5 as Sportback, Coupé and Cabriolet have also been refreshed. All S5 models, including the Coupé, are now equipped with the 3.0 TFSI producing 333 hp. Compared to the 4.2-liter V8 it replaces in the Coupé, the supercharged V6 consumes on average 20 percent less fuel per 100 kilometers. Average fuel consumption is just 29.04 mpg while performance remains impressive. The S5 Coupé accelerates from 0 to 62.14 mph in just 4.9 seconds on its way to an electronically governed top speed of 155.34 mph.
Visual cues to the updated S models include new lights, modified body details and new crystal-effect paint finishes. Subtle changes can also be found in the interior. The most important technical updates for the Audi S5 are quattro drive with the crown-gear center differential and electromechanical power steering. The special S sport suspension and the standard 18-inch wheels deliver the power to the road.
Despite the extensive product improvement, Audi is raising prices only slightly. The base model, the Audi A5 Sportback 1.8 TFSI, costs $47,196.00 in Europe.
